Hey, snake people. In a few months I’ll be getting a ~9 year old female ball python. A former breeder.
She used to be mine when I was a teenager, but my dad sold her and all of my other snakes when I went to college without telling me. We had an agreement that he could sell some snakes, but he was supposed to keep the few I specified. This snake was one of them. He sold her anyway. I’m still in college, but I’m getting my shit together so I can get her back... and hopefully some of my others, too. If I can afford to, and if I have the ability to care for them. Her current owner has agreed to sell her back to me, and I’m thrilled. She’s gravid right now, but after she lays and starts eating again, I can bring her back home.
Here’s the trouble: She’s been in a rack system her whole life. That picture up above is from when I used to own her. I didn’t know any better when I was a teenager (I mean, I got her when I was fourteen. I was still in middle school), but now I’d like to transition her to the pet life. I bought her a 4x2x2 foot PVC cage, which is the best I can afford and the most I can realistically fit in a college dorm, and the most I can even sort of move with. I know she can go on and off of food when her living circumstances are changed, and her current owner told me that she’ll only eat if she’s in a grey tub.
So, anyone who has any ideas at all, how can I transition her to pet life? What do I need to do? I’m reading up on ball python care again, but I also could really use personal guidance if anyone can help me. Anything on the transition, moving with a ball python (due to, you know, not permanently living in a dorm), enrichment... Really anything. She’s probably pretty overweight and undermuscled, so uh, snake physical therapy advice would even be helpful.
Also, if anyone has any guidance on how to DIY appropriately sized and enriched ball python enclosures that are easier to move with, cheaper, etc., please let me know. I want to do it right this time, and if I can get more of my former snakes back, I’d like to. It’s just.. really challenging.
I do have two snakes at college with me now, a Honduran milk snake and a Kenyan sand boa. No trouble there. It’s just intimidating jumping back into ball pythons when I know I’ve made so many mistakes with them previously.
This has been really rambly. This is an emotionally challenging and financially draining process for me, and I would appreciate literally any advice or support. I’m doing my best.
