Ron's Ball Python Blog

Believe it or not, you have “Spidey Senses”. This blog is about showing you how to tune into and utilize these senses. Before you start poking your chest out and attempt to shoot some webs from your wrist, know that I don’t mean actual “Spidey Senses” in the same manner as the infamous “web-slinger”. The senses that I’m talking about are the sense of smell, sight and sound. I know there may be some of us that are unable to use all three of these senses but you can still use the senses that you’re able to or possibly ask someone for their assistance. Lets look at how we can use our “Spidey Senses” when it comes to observing potential problems with ball pythons.

Master your ball python "Spidey Senses!"

Smell
Smell??? What does smell have to do with anything? Smell is very important and is an often-overlooked sense for gathering data from the air. The very first thing I do when I enter one of the ball python rooms at our facility is to take in a very deep breath of air - “through my nose”. I do this to see, or should I say smell, if there are any immediate issues in the room. I look out and pay attention to the possible smell of “death” first and foremost. A ball python may have regurgitated a rodent or could have unfortunately passed away the night before, a smell that you can pick up on immediately. Another smell to be aware of, which is nearly impossible to describe in words, is the smell of a super strong pungent odor in the cage.

Ball pythons defecate and urinate, which has a bad smell to it that’s tolerable but it’s not the same as a wretched smelling foul odor that you can smell from a distance. I hope you never have the misfortune to smell this but if you should smell this one-day (trust me, you’ll know it when you do), it’s a very good indicator that there’s something wrong with your ball python and that you should schedule a visit with your vet ASAP! The fecal or urine in the cage will also have a custard type of slimy look to it – very runny as well - and will reek of a horrificly strong odor.

Sight
This is obvious but is still worth mentioning. When you look at your ball python, take a minute or two to observe it and the condition of the cage before immediately reaching in to remove it from the cage. Monitor any unusual behavior and get a good overall feel for how your ball python acts during the day and evening. Any odd behavior or practices might require closer observation and inspection.

Sound
There are no radios in any of our snake rooms and the rooms remain quiet for a good reason. Ball pythons oftentimes make a clicking sound or a strong wheezing sound if they have or are developing respiratory infections. It’s very possible to know if a ball python is having respiratory problems by simply “listening” to the environment closely to see if you hear any sounds that are out of the ordinary.

The more you fine tune your “Spidey Senses”, the more you’ll learn and become more aware of potential problems way before you even approach the tank of your ball python. Don’t be so envious of the “web-slinger” for having “Spidey Senses” because you have them too!

We'd like to congratulate Mr. Obama as President-Elect of the United States of America and Mr. Biden as Vice President-Elect of the United States of America for their victory. I must also commend and congratulate Mr. McCain as well for fighting to the very end and for his dediction and service to our country.

Respectfully yours,
Ron Crawford, RCReptiles.com

President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden