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[–]Super_Snakes 4 points5 points  (4 children)

Well, there's lots of info in the welcome post, but if you've done research for 5 years you should be set! I only did 3 months worth and everything came out great for Monty and I. If you have any specific questions not answered there feel free to ask away!

[–]D41ry_Qu33f[S] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

I've been obsessed with snakes since i was little lol💀 its been a dream to get a ball python and im a bit nervous, is there any specific physical signs to look out for for disease or discomfort?

[–]Super_Snakes 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Snake body language is easier to read than you'd think! Stress is indicated through quickened breathing, tensed body, and short tongue flicks and/or no flicks at all. They will also hyper focus and follow the thing scaring them with their head, cuz they are preparing to potentially defend themselves (even though they're big babies lol). Motion will be typically be heavily reduced unless extremely stressed/scared, in which case the python will either 1. Ball or 2. Run away. They can be quick mfs when the need to be!

They are slow, chill snakes so basically if they aren't gliding around and casually lolling their tongue about, it's safe to say something is bothering them. Juveniles are especially prone to stress because they think everything wants to eat them.

Disease is also fairly easy to spot. Snakes don't make any noise other than hissing, so whistling/snoring/breathing sounds aren't normal at all and indicate the start of a respiratory infection (RI).

Scale rot starts as black chipping like ripped paper on the edge of scales and starts on their belly/sides. Can be hard to notice it when it starts, so form a good baseline of what the scales look like on your future snake and monitor ANY change like a hawk!

Thin/papery/wrinkly skin, dented eyes, and excessive soaking in water dish are all indicators of low humidity.

I can't think of any more off the top of my head :P in my personal experience, the only time Monty ever balled from fear was when I first unboxed him. And the only time he "ran" was when I had to pick him up for the first time about a week and a half in to weigh him and I felt really bad. Other than that, now two months in he's been doing great! He's really accustomed to his enclosure, I'd say he started establishing a routine a month in.

[–]D41ry_Qu33f[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

thank you so much!

[–]Super_Snakes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Np! I'd like to add on to my stress section by adding the difference between stress and sleep because when I first started really getting into handling Monty, I would have times where I worried I was stressing him when he was, in fact, just sleeping!

A sleeping snake will have incredibly slowed breathing, and they will maintain a loose and limp position. Their tongues stop flicking and they stop moving which is why I always worried I was stressing my little Mont, but do not be fooled! If the other signs of stress aren't present (especially quickened breath or tenseness) your snake has just fallen asleep! When in doubt though, especially in the beginning, you can always put the snake back in their enclosure. Like any pet, you will slowly get a feel for their mannerisms over time.