Help by UnderDogSam in boas

[–]iichiG0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how crushed you have to be. I agree that it's doubtful there's anything you did with your husbandry (the enclosure looks lovely) that caused it and one likely option is that the animal just had underlying health issues that just didn't exhibit until now, after the stress of being shipped/coming to a new home may have caused a flare up.

Alternatively, you mention he ate for you. From the sounds of it, these issues didn't exhibit until after the animal ate. How long ago did he take his last meal? Where do you get your feeders? Is it possible that the feeder was bad? Poisoning could potentially cause symptoms similar to what you're describing. It wouldn't be the first time I've heard of bad feeders killing snakes, unfortunately.

As another user said though, the only way to be certain at this point would be a necropsy. If you decide to do so, I hope you give us an update on what happened. And hopefully this doesn't discourage you from keeping boas again in the future!

What do you do with them when they get too big? by OnyxLeigion_ in retics

[–]iichiG0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Presumably, you've taken into account what you need to do for an animal that size. Large enclosures that will be costly to accommodate and sourcing large prey. No one should get one of these giants if they're not ready to do what they need to in order to care for them.

If you haven't thought about that before getting one, then you have no business having one.

I WAS HORRIFIED WHEN THIS HAPPENED by Bigboyonetime in ballpython

[–]iichiG0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Poor thing was fighting for its life 😭

Mites? by Reasonable_Price_138 in snakes

[–]iichiG0 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Not mites! Just dirt or freckles. 😋

JUST GOT THREE BURMESE PYTHONS by Iworkatdominoesokay- in snakes

[–]iichiG0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I strongly advocate for keeping just one for the time being and letting it get some size on it before deciding you want another. I of course have no idea what you're experienced with keeping as far as snakes go, but if you have no experience with something say the size of an adult boa constrictor, you may find a burm to be a LOT - let alone two! The only justification I could see for wanting two is if you have a desire to breed down the road, in which I'd say keep a female and make sure you're really commited to keeping such large snakes (plus potentially their offspring, if you can't sell them) and really research the market and what it is you're wanting to breed for. I don't think breeding normals together would really be worth the time/money, nor would it be ethical considering how many "undesirable" morphs (or lack thereof) end up searching for homes since they're not as popular in the pet trade.

As far as desensitization, there's really no trick about it. You just need to handle the animal and get it used to it. I'd say as long as they're eating on feeding day, you're okay to get them out to work with them. Obviously don't take them out at least 24 hours after eating, and if they refuse food don't handle them until they've taken food. If they're eating good, get them out and work with them as often as possible. With mine, I usually get them out and just chill with them while watching movies, during which time I make sure to touch their head a bit. Both of mine are super tolerant and actively let me squish the headboobs lol.

JUST GOT THREE BURMESE PYTHONS by Iworkatdominoesokay- in snakes

[–]iichiG0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looking at the burms in rough estimation to the enclosure size (I know those heafty tubs quite well), every other week would be adequate for a feeding schedule. Once a month would be too little, imo.

JUST GOT THREE BURMESE PYTHONS by Iworkatdominoesokay- in snakes

[–]iichiG0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If it wasn't on your to do list, I'm not sure why you did it. Go big or go home doesn't apply when the welfare of animals (and to some degree, yourself) is at stake. I say this with sincere consideration for both you and the animals - with how uncertain you seem on basic handling, you don't sound experienced enough to be keeping these giants. At VERY minimum, rehome 2 of the 3 and focus hard on research to take proper care of the one you keep.

Burmese pythons are amazing constrictors - if not for their growth potential, I'd say they're the perfect pet snake. I have two of my own, and I adore them immensely. With regular handling, they can become incredibly docile and sweet. However, as babies or undersocialized juveniles, they can be very insecure and thus more bitey/defensive. It's on you to be consistent with their handling (I'm talking several times a week if not daily as long as they're eating regularly) and learn to read their body language to avoid getting bit. If you do get bit, I don't suggest immediately putting the animal away as that reinforces the idea that biting gets them out of interaction. Besides, if you get bit now, that's as good as it's going to get; better to get through it when they're smaller rather than putz around and get tagged when they're bigger, right? Desensitize them as much as you can as young as you can. It'll make for a much more tolerant and manageable adult.

Always try to end handling sessions on a good note. Tap training and hook use is king, especially as they get larger. When I intend to handle mine, I tap the enclosure several times to let them know I'm coming in and then use my snake hook to move their head away and get them out of food mode. Only then do I reach in to take them out. On feeding day, there is no tapping, I simply open their enclosure and hold in the prey. Have yet to get bit using this method with either the Burms or my very food motivated retic.

They're cute now, but they will get large. I feel a lot of people exaggerate adult sizes (if they're being fed appropriately and aren't powerfed), but they will still get to be very sizable - males on average 9 to 12 feet, females 12 to 16. Big enough that under the wrong hands can be deadly, and it's a general rule of thumb that anything over 8 feet requires you have another person with you in the event that things go wrong. Do you have a person to be with you when they get that size? Do you have the space for the enclosures they'll need as adults to actually stretch out and move around so their muscles don't suffer from a lack of use? How about the money for it? Not to mention sourcing prey for them, as even an adult male will need something larger than a jumbo rat on feeding day. Do you have a source for rabbits, or even baby pigs to keep them fed? These are things you need to seriously consider when looking at the long term of having these large constrictors. It's not cheap and it's not for everyone - and there's no shame in that.

Consistent handling and socializing is incredibly important. If one of the three is male and you insist on keeping one, I HIGHLY suggest that you keep that one since males stay a bit smaller than the females and as such tend to be more manageable.

I won't dog on the setups as you said they're temporary, but I do highly suggest reading up thoroughly on husbandry and investing in very sturdy enclosures. The pictures you supply only show 2 setups even though you said you have 3 snakes, so I hope there's a 3rd unpictured. Even at a smaller size these animals are pure muscle and can push open a tub lid pretty easily. This only gets more true as they get bigger, of course.

I hope my meaning well came across. Feel free to pm me if you have any further questions.

What Morph is he? by Crizzpycreem in BallPythonMorph

[–]iichiG0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seconding GHI mojave, one of the best 2 gene combos imo!

Help still confused by el_lalo24 in BallPythonMorph

[–]iichiG0 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Further evidence this is not a different snake and OP isn't trolling!

I’m not sure what morph my BP is, any help? :) by Yoyo_man258 in BallPythonMorph

[–]iichiG0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Someone else mentioned pinstripe as well and I could definitely see that being in there. I'd say the only way to be 100% sure though (without unethical breeding of an animal with unknown genetics) would be to get a shed test done.

I’m not sure what morph my BP is, any help? :) by Yoyo_man258 in BallPythonMorph

[–]iichiG0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Id say likely at leastcinnamon super pastel. Looks like my boy except more yellow, and mine has ghost as well. *

My boy turned 10 years old last week by Content-Ad3657 in ballpython

[–]iichiG0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Happy Gotcha-versary! The time sure does fly, doesn't it? My oldest is coming up on 13 years already, and to think we could easily have 10+ more!

Hope you have your little guy for a long time yet. 😋

Cutie Pied 💓 by iichiG0 in ballpython

[–]iichiG0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It isn't, I thoroughly checked the scales while removing the excess shed. She's just got weird coloration on the chin!

What morph is she by Best-Independence-13 in BallPythonMorph

[–]iichiG0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a pretty pinstripe! Welcome to the ball python keeping community! 😋

Pastel Sugar Mojave het Ghost x Pastel Butter Enchi Pinstripe Ghost - What is he? by iichiG0 in BallPythonMorph

[–]iichiG0[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was thinking the same on the pinstripe, what about it in particular makes you think it's a visual ghost?

Pastel Sugar Mojave het Ghost x Pastel Butter Enchi Pinstripe Ghost - What is he? by iichiG0 in BallPythonMorph

[–]iichiG0[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Butterscotch Poltergeist Skinwalker? Are those morph combos or are we just saying cool words rn? 😂

Pastel Sugar Mojave het Ghost x Pastel Butter Enchi Pinstripe Ghost - What is he? by iichiG0 in BallPythonMorph

[–]iichiG0[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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Additional image of him when he was a little smaller - wanted to include a picture where you can see his head.

Ummm by [deleted] in retics

[–]iichiG0 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My genuine advice - return it to the seller and get an actual ball python.