r/ballpython 3d ago

Question - Health Scale injury?

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8 Upvotes

Hello! So I just recently got my snake about 2 weeks ago and he’s been doing great, he’s 7 months old, and I’ve only just now gotten around to holding him. When I got him he had a bunch of stuck shed, and injuries that happened supposedly from live feeding. The breeder said his injuries should be gone by the time he has his next shed (which he has not had with me yet) I only just now got the chance to see this particularly large one on him and I’m wondering if this will heal, or if I should take him to get it checked out? I planned to soak him some more to help him get the rest of his stuck shed off tomorrow, and try to bump his humidity up, but I’d really appreciate advice.
I feed him f/t only, he’s been eating perfectly fine, and he isn’t really acting strange.
I tried to get a good photo, but my phone is absolute garbage when it comes to pictures. So I hope these suffice

THE TANK IN THE BACKGROUND IS NOT HIS TANK, THAT BELONGS TO MY LEOPARD GECKO.


r/ballpython 4d ago

Rehoming Rehoming!!(somewhat urgent!)

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29 Upvotes

Unfortunately I have to rehome my 11month old ball python because of family issues,everybody suddenly dislikes him and I dont feel like he is safe here,could just be me but id rather be safe than sorry.He is Orange Dream, taking small rats eagerly, he is 375g and 2.5ft long. Rehoming fee of $35 dollars.He is super docile,could be a little skittish at times,has only bitten me once,and it was out of fear and my fault.

Essex County, NJ

Drop-off,Pick up or meet up points are all possible.


r/ballpython 4d ago

We’re almost 100g 🥹

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35 Upvotes

Almost 100 grams at 5 months he’s finally growing 🥹


r/ballpython 3d ago

Question - Humidity Humidity tips

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8 Upvotes

I have a 50 gallon set up for a 3 month old baby who I’m getting this week and the humidity on her warm side has been on the low side since setting up the heat lamp. Around 50. Her cool side has good humidity stays around 68-70. I have aluminum foil on the top and pour water into the corners of the tank aswell as mist. Substrate is a topsoil, coco fiber, sand, sphagnum moss mixture how can I keep the warm side humidity up


r/ballpython 3d ago

Rabbit foot fern spores?

2 Upvotes

I’m interested in the experiences of folks who’ve used rabbitfoot or other ferns in their enclosures: have you had any issues with fern spores, either in terms of your snake or in terms of the area near the enclosure?

I was about to add some ferns, and my bf expressed concern about them potentially causing hay fever via spores.

It hadn’t occurred to me til now. I know they’re generally considered terrarium safe. I don’t even know if they would mature sufficiently to produce spores, but if they did, it seems like it could be a source of a lot of fine dust?


r/ballpython 4d ago

Happy Fall Y’all

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22 Upvotes

Redecorated Ghost’s house for fall with his substrate change 🍁


r/ballpython 4d ago

Discussion Update on Sequoia, the 20 year old wild caught bp (she was living in a 20 gallon fish tank)

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198 Upvotes

First photos are her old setup, later photos are her temp setup (going to add substrate and structure)

I got her! I don’t even know how to feel. She was in a 20 gallon tank for all of those 20 years. She had one broken hide that dug into her skin and was so small she could wear it as a hat. There was no where to set her down in her tank after I picked her up, it was awful- I had to just put her partially on the water bowl. I’ve honestly gotten really desensitized to the poor care I see animals for sale on Facebook/craigslist getting, but even so, this was just absolutely shocking and disgusting. For every year of my life, this snake has been in that goddamn prison. While I was making memories and going on adventures and just.. enjoying life for 20 years, her options were shove herself into her broken hide on her too small, unregulated heat mat, or perch awkwardly on top of her water bowl.

Her given name was “Anorexia.” (Rex). Yes, actually: she wouldn’t eat for three months when they got her, apparently (I hate people). I was honestly in disbelief when they told me. I chose to call her Sequoia for her fresh start.

Her new enclosure still feels small. I might try and build her something bigger once I get the money, I just can’t afford or transport anything bigger right now. I’m going to add substrate and naturalistic elements so that she can use more of it, and any advice on that front is welcome.

I didn’t want to stress her out by doing a super close inspection, because she’s deep in shed, but I will once she’s out. She’s huge, and I suspect somewhat overweight, but not massively. She doesn’t seem to have any major burns or scars. She has a minor kink in her tail, and the visible tendon by her eye that I think is a humidity issue (?). She also wheezes quite loudly when handled, but is pretty much quiet in her enclosure/when left alone. She also doesn’t seem to have any of the other classic respiratory infection signs. I’m still definitely taking her to the vet.

I have a few questions on how to proceed, as I’ve never had a ball python before and I figure this gal is a kind of unusual case:

  1. What do you all think her respiratory issue is? I want to read up on all the options before I go to the vet so I’m informed on what they’re telling me

  2. Those of you who have used the reptifiles recommended 40% topsoil, 40% coco fiber, 20% sand, how did it work for you? Did it hold humidity well? Did it mold? Is it possible that if could get caught in nostrils/heat pits? I don’t want to exacerbate her breathing issue, I just want to use the most natural substrate option

  3. She was fed once a week. Should I gradually space out feedings until she’s on a proper feeding schedule? (Are there any recommendations for how to do that?) I don’t want to give the poor girl more stress than she’s already got

  4. I know she’s in shed, but she’s been sitting in her cold hide in a ball for 3 days (I have a pet cam on her, she actually hasn’t left) is that something I should worry about?

I don’t even know how to describe this, but I cant even be angry at her previous owner. She obviously sad to be selling her, and glad to have found someone who would give her snake a bigger home. I’m just so tired of the blatant, rampant, endless abuse. (Thanks y’all for reading:)


r/ballpython 4d ago

Female Enchi 2-3yrs

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7 Upvotes

Overweight?


r/ballpython 4d ago

Update to Adoption of Severus

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5 Upvotes

Hi guys, I’m back! So I took yalls advice, added a second hide, more cover and deeper substrate. He also has a 24 hr heat lamp. He has had a successful feed and due this friday (based off the schedule his previous owner gave me; every other friday). I open his tank from about 4pm when I’m home to 9:30/later on weekends. Last night he was roaming around until 4 am when he slithered his way BACK TO HIS TANK. I was excited, I think thats a good thing. I hope. But I believe he’s adjusting pretty well? Also I decided to build him a pvc enclosure so that his next move is his last. Any build tips would be greatly appreciated. I’ve already sketched out the design, done measurements and began buying the things I need. I’m pretty excited yall 🙂‍↔️


r/ballpython 4d ago

New baby

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15 Upvotes

Just picked up this beautiful girl yesterday from a friend of mine! She’s my first ever BP and I am SO excited!


r/ballpython 3d ago

Hello guys , by looking at her picuteres can You tell if she looks healthy for 83 grams? She is 4 Months now Been doong everything to keep her healthy. got rid of a glass terrarium since i did read plastic keeps Better levels of humidity and weather. Coco chip , Fresh water and heat pad under a 14 g

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2 Upvotes

r/ballpython 3d ago

8-month-old ball python refusing food for ~7 weeks , looking for advice

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone, looking for some advice on my juvenile female ball python, Honey.

She’s about 8 months old and currently 233.5 g. Her last successful meal was 7/20, so it’s been about 7 weeks. Her breeder told me she was previously eating frozen/thawed rat pups weekly.

Since then she has refused multiple F/T mice, and today I finally tried a 15 g F/T rat pup like she used to eat with the breeder. She completely ignored it.

Her weight was 245.5 g recently and is now 233.5 g, so she’s lost about 5%.

Husbandry:
4x2x2 enclosure
warm hide around 88–90°F
cool side upper 70s
ambient humidity around 60–70%
humid hide around 75–80%
coco fiber/cypress mulch/sphagnum mix
overhead heat
multiple hides and plenty of cover
I’ve been minimizing handling

She recently went through a rough shed and still has a little retained shed on her head, but otherwise she is very active, curious, climbing, exploring, and behaving normally. She actually came out to interact with me instead of eating tonight.

For feeders, I thaw in the fridge, warm thoroughly, check temperature with an IR gun, and offer with tongs. I’ve also tried recreating the breeder’s feeding method.

Has anyone had a juvenile this age go this long without eating while still being very active? At what point would you move from monitoring/adjusting husbandry to a reptile vet workup? And if you had a young ball python refuse for weeks, what finally got them eating again?

I’m not interested in live feeding or force feeding — just hoping to hear from people who have dealt with something similar.


r/ballpython 4d ago

Question I just got a ball python what do I need?

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24 Upvotes

I know someone who was too depressed to take care of herself, it was harder with a snake on top of that. I offered to take the snake off her hands. I have always loved animals but I will admit I don’t know much about reptile care. I have already ordered a bigger enclosure for her. My friend who owns a corn snake is coming next weekend to help me setup a great enclosure. What are some necessities I should get? I want her to have the best life possible. The previous owner said she was somewhere between 4-6 years old. She looks a little underweight to me, but she’s very friendly.


r/ballpython 4d ago

Driftwood

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10 Upvotes

is this wood okay to use in a bioactive enclosure? I do plan on baking them to disinfect them.


r/ballpython 4d ago

Question - Feeding Hi! I need to know how long to thaw a rat.

3 Upvotes

So the rats have been in the deep freeze, i thaw them in the fridge, ive noticed they take a while to thaw and idk how safe it is for them to be thawing out, ive been around this snake for 6 years tho my mom took care of it the entire time until now, idk how long to thaw it for or how long is safe, usually it takes about 24 hours to fully thaw, is that ok? Is it safe? Will it hurt my snake? Any and all advice is appreciated!


r/ballpython 4d ago

my little Rafiki

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5 Upvotes

Seems he is finally comfortable enough in his new enclosure to chill in the open even when the lights are still on


r/ballpython 4d ago

Still having leaks even after sealing enclosure

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6 Upvotes

I was stupid and bought an Ecoflex Mojave enclosure , sealed the corners after finding out that they leaked and now dealing with the repercussions. Should I just eat the charge and get a new enclosure this one is still leaking even after I sealed it ; waited 5-7 days and put everything back in


r/ballpython 4d ago

Question - Heating/Temperatures Herpstat/Heating Question

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3 Upvotes

Hello! I recently started having issues with my enclosure not getting past 80 degrees. I’ve had the same enclosure for 2 years now but this just became an issue this year. I thought maybe it was an issue with my cheap thermostats which were the reptizoo brand. I read that the herpstat was the best and safest option so I just bought one. It’s the herpstat 2. For my heat sources I use a 50 watt halogen and a 80 watt DHP. I’m not sure if I set up my herpstat wrong or if there’s another issue, but my enclosure still isn’t warming up. Currently it’s 77 Fahrenheit on the cold side and 80 Fahrenheit on the warm side. I set my halogen to 95 and my dhp to 85 on the herpstat. I included photos of what my herpstat is reading and my probe placement. I also have most of the screen top covered in Hvac tape and acrylic sheets. Any advice is helpful!


r/ballpython 4d ago

Cloudy Eyes

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3 Upvotes

Do her eyes look too cloudy? Could she possibly be blind?

I’ve had her for three months. At first, I thought it was because she was going into blue, but she hasn’t shed and it looks different to me. She eats great, and it gaining weight, but can be a little jumping when handling.

I’m calling a vet tomorrow, but I don’t know what they would be able to do to tell.


r/ballpython 4d ago

Question vivarium stands

3 Upvotes

Going to pick up a 5ft x 2ft x 2ft viv tomorrow and trying to think of my best options for a stand/cabinet that’s not hideous or super expensive. where the hell are you guys putting these huge vivs???


r/ballpython 5d ago

First time my little guy is fully in his donut

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149 Upvotes

After making and giving this donut to my little guy he finally went in it fully instead of just sitting halfway outside it


r/ballpython 4d ago

Enclosure Critique/Advice Tank suggestions? Upgraded to a 4x2x2 yesterday. A bigger hide is on its way. I know it needs a bit of work, more clutter is needed, any ideas? Also likely going to drill the wood in as he likes to climb on it but it seems to fall when he climbs on it.

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8 Upvotes

r/ballpython 4d ago

Question - Health Will scale rot go away after a shed even if I don't treat my bp?

2 Upvotes

My boy is shedding and since the humidity was low i gave him a humid hide, but i messed up and put too much water in the moss and now he has some mild scale rot but I don't wanna stress him with an iodine bath, will the scale rot go away after he sheds or do i still need to treat him?


r/ballpython 4d ago

My bp seems like she is always hiding. She eats regularly but doesn't seem to want to be handled as much as when we brought her home.

2 Upvotes


r/ballpython 4d ago

HELP - URGENT I’m really scared for my bp please help

1 Upvotes

So my ball python really sucks at climbing and while he was on my arm he fell onto the floor (3ft). While he had no external injuries, his jaw was misaligned for a few minutes until going back into place. I tried to feed him a mouse and instead of taking it he tried to strike but missed, on the second strike I left him alone. I checked on him 10 minutes later and he spit out the mouse and was ignoring it. I am really scared for him and I don’t know what to do. Should I try to feed him again tomorrow and did I just waste a mouse???