I had my ball python (einstein) for just 4 months before he died. About 3-4 weeks afer I got him home he ate but didn't from then on but I read this was normal. I handled him every day and he was such a timid snake, I really grew attached to him! Anyway, one morning he wasn't moving and didnt move for about an hour and even during the day this was strange for him so i picked him up and he was dead. His neck and head were all out of place and the tail end of his body curled up. He liked to climb up to a ledge near the roof of his tank, is it possible he's fallen and broken his neck? The only other explanation I have is that the tank wasn't hot enough? Any ideas?
2007-11-13 02:59:11 · 8 answers · asked by Lyndsey 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
The python is an adult python, he was approx 4 feet long
2007-11-13 03:21:46 · update #1
There are so many things that could have happened to your snake. It could've been internal. There are parasites that can hurt your python as well as infections that you may have been unaware of at the time. Another thing I noticed about what you said is that he ate 1 time, a month after you got him, so that means that the other 3 months he didn't eat. If he was a baby (which I'm guessing) lack of food could have killed him since he is so small and doesn't have enough weight to not eat for 3 months, typically when a snake doesn't eat for a couple of months, it can be normal IF the snake is big enough to be able to handle not eating for that long period of time, on the other hand, babies aren't able to go long periods like bigger snakes because they lack the girth to live on during the period with no food.
Now the suggestion you made about him climbing to the roof of the tank, my snake did this when he was a baby. What he would do is dip himself in his waterdish and then ease his way up to the top of the cage where he he would force his body into the corner and try to push up the top of the cage, well when the water dryed up, he would fall down hard. Now this resulted in him breaking a couple of his ribs and after awhile he never did it again (I guess he figured he isn't getting out and being in pain from broken ribs just wasn't worth it). So I think it is highly plausible (especially with a hatchling) that he could have broken his neck doing this. You did say his head and neck were all out of place which would indicate that something had to of happened to cause this. The curlling of the tail probably is normal for a dead ball python, but not a misplaced neck and head.
Do you know if your python was captive bred or hatched or wild? Captive hatched and wild pythons typically are the ones with problems as far as internal parasites, infections, and other unwanted problems.
The temperatures could have played a role, but there is no way to completely be certain what happened to your snake unless you had a professional (vet) look at him, which I doubt you'd want to waste your money on considering there is nothing that can be done. Either way, I don't really think that his death had anything to do with neglect or anything faulty on your part. I mean the twisted head and neck have to be something to do with it. Sorry for your loss.
2007-11-13 04:52:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guys. This was an adult. READ the whole thing before immediately commenting. Right at the end she said he was an adult and he was approximately 4ft long.
2014-04-28 02:13:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dead Ball Python
2017-01-19 16:50:04 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a bit long for a baby to not eat. How were you offering his food? Was the mice the correct size?
Your humidty and temps could have been off. Stess could have been a factor.
More than likely it was the feeding. Adults can go for long periods. Babies are growing and need their nutrients.
2007-11-13 04:21:48 · answer #4 · answered by Reptilia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be possible that it was the set up but it seems more likely that it was from not eating. An adult could handle that but I don't think I young one could. If you get another one try and read up on how and how often to feed. Also ask who you get it from what they are feeding it. Sorry for your loss.
2007-11-13 03:21:28 · answer #5 · answered by singing2sweets 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he may of been stressed and thats why he wasnt eating as there mouth is there only defence so if they dont feel safe the wont eat.
did he have lots of hiding places, was he in a quiet place, and you said that he was timmid, over hanlding will stress a snake out.
aslo as said above check the set up was right.
2007-11-13 03:23:21 · answer #6 · answered by Joanne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd check your setup--read the following website to trouble shoot your problem. Was he vet checked for parasites? 3 months is way too long for a baby ball to go without eating--a healthy adult might, but I'd never let a young one go that long.
http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/
2007-11-13 03:11:30 · answer #7 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he was stretched out,could mean he was trying to escape something. Maybe heat. Maybe something new in cage to get rid of lice.
2016-05-22 23:07:00 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋