My first ball python (DUW)

reptile65 · 04-05-11, 01:48 PM

I adopted my first ball python a few weeks ago. He was not in the greatest of shape when I got him, so I've been trying to get him back to health. He seems to be doing great so far! He's a great eater and has a very curious personality.

Here are some pictures from the day I got him:

And here are some pics from a couple days ago (sorry about the cell phone pics):

stephanbakir · 04-05-11, 01:51 PM

Nice, grats on the new acquisition, ball pythons are great.

Nektu · 04-05-11, 01:53 PM

Very nice indeed. How long is he and how much does he weigh?

reptile65 · 04-05-11, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nektu

Very nice indeed. How long is he and how much does he weigh?

He's around 3 feet long and 555 grams. He's definitely a little thin, but I know he'll fatten up soon. His previous owner was feeding him an adult mouse every 2 weeks. I'm now feeding him a small rat every week.

TeaNinja · 04-05-11, 02:22 PM

he looks much better without that nasty stuck shed, good job.

Nektu · 04-05-11, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptile65

He's around 3 feet long and 555 grams. He's definitely a little thin, but I know he'll fatten up soon. His previous owner was feeding him an adult mouse every 2 weeks. I'm now feeding him a small rat every week.

That should work nicely. If he seems to still be hungry afterwards, feed him 2 every week. That should help get his weight up to where it should be.

Marica · 04-05-11, 02:44 PM

Awe, poor guy

He's looking much better

Hope he continues to do well in your care.

stephanbakir · 04-05-11, 02:47 PM

Shouldn't be too tough to get his weight up if he's a good eater, just make sure to set a goal weight for him and slow down once he reaches it so he doesn't become a fattie XD

Lankyrob · 04-05-11, 03:11 PM

Looking so much better now, my opinion would be to keep with one prey item a week, if he has been malnourished then fattening him up slowly is probably less strain on him than rapid weight gain, remember that to fatten up and grow he will need to shed more often so i would keep it slow.

reptile65 · 04-05-11, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Looking so much better now, my opinion would be to keep with one prey item a week, if he has been malnourished then fattening him up slowly is probably less strain on him than rapid weight gain, remember that to fatten up and grow he will need to shed more often so i would keep it slow.

Yep, that's exactly what I'm planning on. I know it's not a good thing to try to fatten them up too quickly.

stephanbakir · 04-05-11, 03:28 PM

I'll be interested to find out how his next shed will be, the last one was pretty gnarly.

Nektu · 04-05-11, 03:30 PM

You didn't get him off of Craigslist did you? It looks like one a guy was giving away free with about 5 other ball pythons.

stephanbakir · 04-05-11, 03:34 PM

guy on kijiji is trying to get rid of a retic in ottawa lol, they aren't even legal there.

reptile65 · 04-05-11, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nektu

You didn't get him off of Craigslist did you? It looks like one a guy was giving away free with about 5 other ball pythons.

No, I actually got him from a fellow student who couldn't keep him anymore.

reptile65 · 04-05-11, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

I'll be interested to find out how his next shed will be, the last one was pretty gnarly.

I've been keeping him at the proper humidity level so I'm thinking his next shed will be much better.