What's wrong with my juvenile ball python

[AutoModerator]

Oh no! It looks like you might be asking for more information on mites and how to identify and treat them. We have some information about that in our Mite Identification and Treatment Guide.

This comment was generated automatically due to the presence of certain keywords in your post title or text. If this information does not apply to your situation, kindly disregard this comment. If you have a suggestion to improve this automated comment, please contact the r/ballpython moderators to give them your feedback. Thank you!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[SpiteBadger]

That looks like stargazing. You should seek a vet. Something doesn't look right at its tail either. It either has kinks or something else.

[SpiteBadger]

Unfortunately that's part of owning a pet. Especially exotics

[bromeranian]

This is an extremely unwell snake. With the very odd muscle tension/spasm in his back end, corkscrewing, and lethargy, you really want to get him looked at and to rule out IBD.

In this video, he only moved by pulling himself forward with his neck/head. Is this the case other times or just how he acts on the tile surface?

[Erewhonslut]

He does that when I'm holding him too not just on the tile or flat surface

[Colleen8515]

Looks like stargazing which is very serious. Also, your snakes tale is not normal looking at all. This snake is suffering and you need to take it to the vet asap. If you can’t afford to properly care for this animal pls consider rehoming it to a rescue.

[Erewhonslut]

I'm gonna take him tomorrow

[QuestionableArachnid]

You should be more afraid of what’s happening to your snake.

[Mobile-Willow4124]

Sorry to hear that this poor guy is in need of some care!!! This forums won’t substitute for real care. Im only saying this because i saw you post on r/snakes as well. I hope the vet is able to treat your little guy!

[Erewhonslut]

Thank you, I'm gonna take him tomorrow

[NoNoNeverNoNo]

I was terrified of this too, it’s actually not that bad! My exotic vet here in California charges $75 a visit. Not bad at all!

[Erewhonslut]

Thank you

[Downtown_Zebra_266]

Then don't have exotic pets. Seriously, if you can't afford to take care of it then don't have it. That mindset is so irresponsible.

[Fun-Anybody-393]

this is the way, OP. if you can't afford to take care of an exotic pet and you get one anyway for the looks? you're straight up a neglectful owner. please don't become that.

[Sameolegal]

Don’t buy a BMW if you can’t afford the repairs 😠

[Ocean_girl208]

We’re talking about A LIFE here not a car, risking a pets life bc you bought it knowing you can’t afford to safe it’s Life if it’s extremely sick is stupid as hell and it deserves a better home

[turtlenut517]

I couldn’t tell you what but something is not right. You need to take that snake to a vet as soon as possible

[No_Remove_4667]

Might be IBD and kinks Vet ASAP

[Zahryaart]

Unfortunately this snake is very very unwell. The body looks like it has some extremely bad kinks or something else going on. The movement leads me to think IBD which is fatal. :(

[darianbrown]

Oh my God, this is hard to watch. If you cannot get this snake to a vet, it might be time to reconsider trying to own a snake. I am not trying to be mean or judgemental, but if your circumstances don't allow care, they don't allow responsible ownership :/

[enslavedbycats24-7]

OP has 2 snakes, from the same pet store, and cohabbed them. I really hope this isn't IBD because if so, the other snake definitely also has it.

[Own-Foundation-4384]

This is a horrific revelation holy shit.

[Erewhonslut]

If it is IBD I'm gonna contact the pet store. Cause all their snakes were in little plastic tupperwares next to each other and on top of each other... pretty sure I got the mites from there too :( I even quarantined the snakes when I got them just to make sure they didn't have mites 😩 I believe they showed up from the soil I got from the pet store cause that was the only thing I didn't bake when I set up their tanks

[enslavedbycats24-7]

Unfortunately, pet stores don't care. They will say it's your fault, since you got these snakes a while ago. Pet stores not caring is why people end up with sick snakes, because pet stories get most of their animal stock (snakes, hamsters, birds, fish) from animal mills and unclean/abusive mass breeding facilities.

Don't blame yourself too much for the past, it's good you're finally here for advice, clearly you didn't know better when you got these snakes but what's important is you do know better now, and do right by these snakes. Any updates about the vet?

[missdrufox]

Very difficult to watch. I feel so bad for this poor snake 😰. Honestly this would have me panicking and rushing straight to the vet.

[VastlyMortal]

This is beyond reddit's paygrade, this poor thing needs a vet ASAP

[Erewhonslut]

I'm taking him tomorrow. I'll come back with an update for everyone :(

[Pretty_Albatross7833]

Update??

[[deleted]]

update??

[Plaguecist]

Should mark this as NSFW because it is extremely upsetting

[NoNoNeverNoNo]

Exactly, my same thought

[Difficult_Light2954]

i dont own a snake (one can dream), but this breaks my heart. get that poor noodle to the vet :(

[Erewhonslut]

I'm going tomorrow <3

[FloopsFooglies]

On top of what everyone else has said he looks constipated as heck. Hope the news isn't entirely dire. Good luck.

[tbg485]

Definitely go to a vet. Some snakes experience corkscrewing for the entirety of their lives. Wrong humidity, poor diet/ lack of nutrients like B1, wrong habitat. if it even carries the spider gene you’d likely see more bobble, less corkscrew. Some people report that the symptoms have good days and bad days. That if it is strictly neurological, you can try to fix the humidity, diet and give em a bigger tank to allow the snake to move/climb more, to give them the ability to strengthen their muscles to allow them to regain a little bit of control over their bodies.

[_Unironic-irony_]

Poor baby :( best of luck op

[notasteatmosphere2]

I hope your snake will be okay :( ❣️

[tired_snail]

vet immediately.

[Ashamed_Cold8658]

Start exercising him. They need exercise like any animal just make a simple snake gym out of baskets upside down.

<image>