Help with my new pythons

We have aquired these from two young lads that are going back to the uk and were either going to just leave them or dump them on a pets shop door, upto now we have only had corns and I am really not sure about pythons.

Can anyone help me with any advice she is 7 and he is 8 and she is also sitting on 4 eggs, I know the first job is to build them a new viv this one looks way to small and also they are together is that bad or not I dont fancy eggs every year.

If anyone out there can help me I would really appreciate it.

Also any idea what type they are as well.

Okay...

First, you need to separate them.

Secondly, you need to feed them. Live food is best, but do what you need to do to get them eating.

Thirdly, change the bedding, clean everything out, and setup with HIDES and more things for them to go under.

www.ball-pythons.net is a good forum for BPs exclusively.

That metal grating looks dangerous, so I would suggest if the snake can scratch itself on it, to remove it completely or just get a new setup.

If you don't want the eggs, you need to toss them or let someone else incubate them for you (reptile store??). The female WILL NOT eat while incubating eggs.

Get an under the tank heating source with a thermostat for each setup. Lights do not work as well and humidity doesn't hold as well either.

SO:

Quick overview:

2 new setups, split up the animals into their own tanks/tubs, figure out what to do with the eggs, feed them well (they look emaciated), and do a LOT of research on the animals to see what you think you need to do for them to provide a better life.

And ask plenty of questions

Oh, and they are normals

ah ha, what did i tell you the person you need to ask is either tula or ladyohh; and now you have been briefed... so get on with it

oh and i said they were normals

if you have any more questions just ask.

Brilliant thanks for your help, yes we got the male out today and he seems underweight his skin is very flabby my partner is going to get on this week and build them EACH a new viv as we agree the one they are in is no good whatsoever.

Like I said we have only had them a day so loads to do to get them upto a better condition I dont think they have been well looked after at all, luckily I breed my own mice for my corns so I have a nice supply to start trying to feed them.

We do have a incubator set up as we have just had 13 corn hatchlings but we still have 4 in their as my corn double clutched, can the eggs go in there with them or will it not be warm enough the temp is between 28-30.

Ball Python eggs need to incubate around 88-90 degrees Farenheit.

I disagree that live is best. If they will take frozen/thawed or fresh killed it's far more safe for feeding. If you can put together an incubator it would be best to artificially incubate the eggs to save the female the stress of self incubating. Get the male out of the cage! She doesn't need the stress of having him there and it's not natural to have him around. It might also help get him eating again as he'll be out of "breeding mode". Balls are notoriously poor eaters so don't be surprised if they don't take food right away or for months. How large is the female? She doesn't look too big for her age and the cage is rather small for her. She should have at least 1/2 her body length in depth on the cage and 1 1/2 times the length. That cage is only as large as her coiled body. Way too small. I'm surprised the humidity is holding with the screen lid. No hides, no egg box and a male that's hanging on her while she's incubating is a recipe for health disaster. It's a wonder they are still alive! A testament to their toughness.

MegF. said:

I disagree that live is best. If they will take frozen/thawed or fresh killed it's far more safe for feeding.

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That may be the case, but to get picky feeders to eat, live is best. Bottom line.

agreed, f/t is safer but Heather is right that live is the prefered option to get picky feeders started.

yes totally agree the viv is disgusting and if I would have seen the men I would have given them a piece of my mind, the first thing we are doing tom is going out and getting the wood to build them a new viv Each this one is way to small but will be really handy for my mice afterwards.

As soon as it is built then we will move the eggs out and then try and start feeding them, if anyone has any pics or links to viv setups I would appreciate it.

I agree I dont know how they have survived the lads only had them for 2 months, in my opinion 2 months 2 long, I will now try my hardest to give them a better life.

well we have taken the eggs away and put them in the incubator and see if anything comes off them, given the viv a good clean out and the male has eaten as well I fed him a live mouse as I didnt have the time to get one defrosted.

Are the females like corns do you have to wait for them to have a post lay shed before they will eat as she wasnt interested. They are both quite flabby as well is this normal or a sign they are underweight.

I have ordered a book so hopefully I will soon stop with all the questions, sorry but I just want the best for them, they are nice and friendly.

I would expect your female to look somewhat deflated after laying eggs and then not eating for this time. My corns all eat right after laying...How long ago did this girl lay her eggs?

claireree said:

Are the females like corns do you have to wait for them to have a post lay shed before they will eat as she wasnt interested. They are both quite flabby as well is this normal or a sign they are underweight.

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You need to take the female and wash her off with a mild soap and rinse her well with water, and place her in a clean viv. (No substrate that was touching the eggs)

If you don't, she will continue to think that she has the eggs somewhere, and will not eat or move (she will continue to "beehive") and will not recover her weight appropriately.