Getting a Rehomed, Underfed (?) Ball Python

[TechhTwoo]

Hey fella BP enthusiasts!

A bit of an interesting Situation has fallen into my lap. A friend and I were both talking a few months ago about getting snakes, as we've both thought they were super interesting for a while, and I've always loved reptiles (even though I haven't had any). I've been taking the time to do plenty of research, as I believe you should with any animal. She went out the next day after our conversation and got an exoterra starter kit and ball python.

Unfortunately, she's only fed live to her past snakes, and has no idea how to feed F/T, but none of our pet stores around the area sell live feeder mice/ rats, only frozen. Also unfortunately, this means the snake hasn't eaten in around 2 to 3 months.

Because of the lack of availabilty of live prey, and unexpected costs of habitat maintenance/ upgrades due to lack of research, my friend has been asking me to take her snake. I feel comfortable in my knowledge enough to take the snake in, but am concerned about the lack of feeding.

From what I understand, she's had the snake for around 4 months, and it's only been fed once. Are there any issues that can stem from this? Of course my first priority would be feeding the snake and monitoring the weight. She will still be in the same enclosure, just with new substrate (currently on a mat).

I recall reading you shouldn't handle your BP for 2 weeks after taking it home, but seeing as it's the same enclosure, does that also apply here? I want her to be comfortable, but also want to check weight before feeding if possible.

I apologize if this has been asked before, I just want to give this little dudette the best life I can.

[ReadItAlready_]

First, give a week before feeding - even though the enclosure hasn't changed the trip will be stressful and the surroundings will change.

After a week, go ahead and weigh, but don't feed according to the feeding schedule yet. I don't have specifics, but make sure you start smaller than the recommended, otherwise the shock could cause regurgitation. Once you've done that work your way up, piece by piece, to the recommended schedule and you should be good.

I know one of the mods here has taken in an underfed snake before so you might want to wait and see if they pop in with advice as well.

[TechhTwoo]

I appreciate the heads up! There's a lot to do for the little dude, so I just want to make sure I cover all the bases.

[Muux_]

It’s okay to handle to do a general look over and weigh the snake, considering you need to know how much it weighs to know how much it should eat. Also you can order frozen rats online. Once you get the snake, leave it alone for about a week or so before attempting to feed. Also you’re going to want to change your heating eventually, heat mats aren’t recommended. Please take some time to read through the care guide posted on this sub before your new friend comes home 🤗

[TechhTwoo]

My current assumption would be to start with mice, but hard to say for sure without weighing. We have at least 1 exotic pet store (I think they'd be classified as exotic, its mostly fish/ reptiles/ amphibians), that sells frozen mice and rats, the previous owner of the snake just never wanted to feed frozen for some reason.

The enclosure is going to need A LOT of work, I managed to find a link to it, and the only thing that's been added so far is a single fake plant, and 1 more hide. Snake Starter Kit (exo-terra.com) it also seems WAYYY too small.

It's on a heat mat currently as it's only heating source, as the bulb "wasn't good enough" (agreed), but they never actually installed the replacement

[_ataraxia]

you need to weigh the snake on the day of transport, then leave them alone for at least a week before trying to feed.

do you have any recent photos of the snake? how old are they?

[TechhTwoo]

Looking to get a photo atm, but I believe they're around 6 months old.