Can anyone answer this question about "companion" pythons?

[sophistacavy]

I am trying to help this lady on Craigslist who has to rehome a python she took from a friend who couldn't keep her (the python) anymore.

We are in the middle of trying to work something out, and I was wondering if transporting her to someplace that could give her the care and attention she needed during the day would be too stressful on her or not. It would probably be, let's say, every other day for now (as I said, we're still in the beginning/middle of trying to work something out), and weekends too, or, she would stay home on weekends.

I told this lady that it would probably be better if she could get a very experienced pet sitter to watch and care for the python during the day, but I don't know if that would work out either. Since I don't know much about caring for "companion" pythons, I don't know how much interaction they tolerate or "enjoy", if any at all.

In the ad, the lady says that the python apparently enjoys being held even though her previous owner didn't give her much attention, but I don't know....here is a link to the ad, it has a picture of the python also: Python in need of a home or Bigger Tank

Thanks in advance!

 

[Paula]

Are you suggesting taking this poor snake to a sort of snake daycare situation? I think that it would be entirely too stressful for the python to be transported back and forth several days a week. Wouldn't it be more reasonable to help the lady either get the supplies she needs to properly house the animal or help her to find a sanctuary of some sort that might either be able to take the snake in, or know of more experienced owners who could take the snake?

 

[ferndalezoo]

Pythons don't really need a lot of "care" during the day. They are nocturnal, and mostly sleep anyway. They need approrpriate heat, humidity, and a place to hide out. Not really something that needs shifted around (and yes, transporting them that often would stress them out)

 

[sophistacavy]

Are you suggesting taking this poor snake to a sort of snake daycare situation? I think that it would be entirely too stressful for the python to be transported back and forth several days a week. Wouldn't it be more reasonable to help the lady either get the supplies she needs to properly house the animal or help her to find a sanctuary of some sort that might either be able to take the snake in, or know of more experienced owners who could take the snake?

Thats what I'm about to tell her she should do. There is an ad in the local Iwanna that is looking for reptiles to rescue that are no longer wanted or able to be taken care of.

She is moving soon, and said she wouldn't have any time to take care of the snake, so she said that she feels that it would definetely be best for the snake if she (the snake) went to a rescue/sanctuary.

Thanks for your thoughts though! They were exactly what I was thinking.

 

[krittercrazy]

Thats what I'm about to tell her she should do. There is an ad in the local Iwanna that is looking for reptiles to rescue that are no longer wanted or able to be taken care of.

She is moving soon, and said she wouldn't have any time to take care of the snake, so she said that she feels that it would definetely be best for the snake if she (the snake) went to a rescue/sanctuary.

Thanks for your thoughts though! They were exactly what I was thinking.

Please be careful of the ads from people looking to "rescue" unwanted animals. They are most likely brokers, breeders or worse. Any reputable rescue is not looking, much less advertising, to take in more animals!

Do a search on petfinder in your area. There is most likely a reputable rescue that can help or point you in a direction that will help.

 

[Susan9608]

Did this individual seek you out to ask you for help? Or did you offer? I ask because if you don't know anything about "companion" pythons then why would you be offering assistance to someone? Perhaps this can be a reality check that if you do NOT have the requisite expertise regarding a specific type of animal, you should NOT be the one offering assistance to others.

A simple reference to the appropriate organizations/information would be far more appropriate and probably much more appreciated.

 

[blackarrow]

Please be careful of the ads from people looking to "rescue" unwanted animals. They are most likely brokers, breeders or worse. Any reputable rescue is not looking, much less advertising, to take in more animals!

While I absolutely agree that everyone should be careful and do their homework, I don't at all agree with your statement that no "reputable" rescue agency looks to take in more animals. I'm the intake coordinator for a major and extremely well-respected dog rescue, and I spend about thirty hours a week doing just that - identifying dogs of the breed we rescue which are in need of assistance, alerting people to the fact that we exist, and calling shelters or individuals who have the dogs. From time to time we do run ads where veterinarians, other shelters, or members of the dog community would come across us.

 

[sophistacavy]

Did this individual seek you out to ask you for help? Or did you offer? I ask because if you don't know anything about "companion" pythons then why would you be offering assistance to someone? Perhaps this can be a reality check that if you do NOT have the requisite expertise regarding a specific type of animal, you should NOT be the one offering assistance to others.

A simple reference to the appropriate organizations/information would be far more appropriate and probably much more appreciated.

*sigh* That's exactly what I did 24 hours ago. I would never do something that dumb...........

 

[ferndalezoo]

BTW-- I actually just now looked at the ad----- The poster of the CL ad, while well intentioned, is misinformed when it comes to reptiles. A 20ga long tank is actually perfectly appropriate for a ball python--- they get stressed out by larger tanks unless you COMPLETELY cover the whole bottom several inches with thick brush in which to hide. She might want to go as big as a 40, if the snake is actually 5' long (most BP's are smaller than that, averaging around 4 ft for female (males are smaller)). The paradigm we have as mammal guardians is that bigger is better--- for reptiles born in captivity, that isn't true. More important that space to a Ball Python is husbandry-- do they have a proper, humidity retaining substrate (such as cypress mulch)? a water dish? 2 identical hides (one on the warm side and one on the cool side)? Appropriate heat (best supplies through an under-tank-heater)? Are they fed an appropriately sized (preferably pre-killed or frozen/thawed) rodent on a weekly basis?

A lack of a "huge" tank isn't a reason to rehome this snake.