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:
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
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
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
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:)
