BP "Rescue"

Here are some pics of a BP that came in (thankfully). I consider him a "rescue" because I could have said, "No" (and probably should have) but I would have had nightmares about this poor thing dying in the dilapidated conditions it had been in.
The guy who brought him to me said that his family was no longer caring for its needs, so he had to give it up. He also said that he hadn't been fed in over a month... I tend to think it had been longer as the skin around his neck was so baggy and even his body looked like it had been sloughing off.

Anyway, here he is. The previous family had named him "Gavin"... but I want to rename him. Thus far, I'm thinking... "Daedalus"... but haven't settled on that yet.

Just finishing a meal...


GULP!


Part of his body....


And finally, all of him...


I've been comparing him to some other pics... I think he's "Axanthic" as he doesn't appear to have any of the yellow pigments in him. BUT, I don't know for sure... just a guess.

Hopefully, I can get him all "healed" up. I had just finished taking off some of the old skin that had not come off in FOREVER... I think I have a few more places to work on... but I want him eating so he can gain some weight.

What do you all think?

Poor guy!
He looks like a nice normal, but I bet he'll be pretty once you get him nursed back to health!

Either way, I think he's a keeper! Hopefully, I run across the family that DIDN'T care for him the way they should have... and show them what a healthy BP looks like.

The_Thunderer said:

Either way, I think he's a keeper! Hopefully, I run across the family that DIDN'T care for him the way they should have... and show them what a healthy BP looks like.

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If it happens, I just hope I'm there. I'd be ripping them a new one for neglecting it that much.

Congrats for giving the poor guy a nice home, I bet he's alreadly feeling better. I also think he is a normal but he's still pretty.

Poor guy! I am so glad he found you, Fred. He seems to have a good appetite and I am sure he will be the picture of health in no time. I look forward to improvement pics!

Poor skinny baby. I'm glad he's in a better home! I can't wait to see him looking healthy.

WOW. I'd have to agree it appears much longer then a month since the poor guy ate. I don't believe I've seen a BP that skinny before.
I'm glad he has been given a good home and can't wait to see him as a healthy boy!

He is a very pretty boy. Congrats on you first bp. I'm glad to see he has a wonderful home with you.

Best of luck with it...... Shame it got like that....
I know I diss Bp, but thats only as a 'first' snake...
Get it fit and it'll be a real 'slow,laid-back' joy to own.....
(I don't like them as they don't do much...IMO)....LOL

That is far more than a months damage of poor or non feeding. Easily anything up to a year. I had a royal I got feeding after he refused for the previous owner for 9 whole months. He was very thin but the first night I got him home he ate and continued to do so. I am sure if he is willing to eat what you are offering he will thrive!

Thanks, everyone!!! I really like the fact that I have my first BP... BUT, I just wish it were under different circumstances and that this little guy didn't have to suffer for so long. Hopefully, I can rectify all of that by providing a great and loving home for him.

When I was taking off all the shed remains, he was as cooperative as a snake could be... I was a little worried that I'd be so intent on getting the skin off, that I'd get bitten and feel the pain before I saw it happened... but he did really well.

One of the things that worries me, though is the fact that when he poops, it comes out like long rabbit pellet (or two Cocoa Puffs all stuck together). VERY hard... reminds me of breaking a candy cane. I'm soaking him for 15 minutes every 2 days or so to see if that softens anything internally.

Anyway... really, THANKS to all of you for your support!

You spent your 2000th post comparing BP poop to cocoa puffs?

Fred he will be a handsome normal in no time. And you probably still have a good 20-30 years of giving him the best home.

Good job on the rescue! Despite what you'll hear, I think BP's are wonderful pets. Not the most active snake, but very docile and as loving as I think a snake can be. I work with a local wildlife rescue rescuing native and non-native reptiles and I know how heart-wrenching it can be to see animals kept in terrible conditions. I've seen some burmese that are just in sad, sad shape because people bought them as babies completely uneducated on them. Bad business ethics on the sellers, but that's another story. People saying they hadn't been fed because they got "too big and I'm scared of it now" and had just left this thing to die until they heard about us. Unfortunately, I can't take in every snake I come across as I've already got 16 hanging about, but you did a good thing and I know this guy will reciprocate all the joy and happiness you give him.

caz223 said:

You spent your 2000th post comparing BP poop to cocoa puffs?

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LOL. I had NO idea!!! At least it is a post to remember!!

Tim66/corns said:

Fred he will be a handsome normal in no time. And you probably still have a good 20-30 years of giving him the best home.

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Thanks, Tim! He does seem to be coming along. When I first got him, he couldn't hold his head up without it wavering all over the place. Now, he's got some muscle tone back and isn't wavering all over the place.

JNugent said:

Good job on the rescue! Despite what you'll hear, I think BP's are wonderful pets. Not the most active snake, but very docile and as loving as I think a snake can be. I work with a local wildlife rescue rescuing native and non-native reptiles and I know how heart-wrenching it can be to see animals kept in terrible conditions. I've seen some burmese that are just in sad, sad shape because people bought them as babies completely uneducated on them. Bad business ethics on the sellers, but that's another story. People saying they hadn't been fed because they got "too big and I'm scared of it now" and had just left this thing to die until they heard about us. Unfortunately, I can't take in every snake I come across as I've already got 16 hanging about, but you did a good thing and I know this guy will reciprocate all the joy and happiness you give him.

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I hear you and I thank you for the encouragement. It also seems that you've had your share of rescues. Congrats and kudos to you too!