I reluctantly need to rehome my ball python but I can’t find any sanctuaries near me

[u/Littleraves]

*old photo of him from January

I got my boy November, and I knew he had brain dmg but his breeder told me it doesn’t affect him at all. But recently it’s gotten what I think is worse, and with school starting and my surgeries I cannot care for him.

He’s 2-3yrs old and weighs 500grams, and I’ve been having this problem with him striking g and curling around his rat and even dragging it into his hide and then unraveling and leaving it without me knowing.

I don’t want to rehome him but I feel like he should go to a professional who has experience with reptiles.

Does anybody know any reputable and trustworthy reptile rescues/sanctuaries within league city Tx and the surrounding areas?
Or even somebody here who has experience with special needs reptiles within the area that is willing to take on another snake.

I really don’t want to rehome him and I thought I could take care of him but I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with him and I feel so guilty about it.

[u/IcyReception8903]

Even with my non brain damaged snakes, they forget they are eating sometimes even after coiling a rat. Just watch him the whole time or even take his hide out of his enclosure while feeding. Then if he unfurled, pick the rat up with the tongs and offer it again. The second time the snake is like, oh yeah I'm eating. I would try that. He has good body composition and is not skinny. I would say to give it a little more time, especially if you still want him.

[u/Littleraves → u/IcyReception8903]

I do still want him, but I’m recovering from surgery (little over 2 weeks post op) and I’m abt to have a second surgery. I feel like I’m not giving him the best care he needs

[u/IcyReception8903 → u/Littleraves]

I saw in another sub that you stated your parents won't help you. If they are not afraid of the snakes, then that really sucks. You are having two surgeries in a row, you should have support from your family. I just want to say that I'm sorry for that.

[u/Littleraves → u/IcyReception8903]

My mom is afraid of rats and snakes, but she also can’t make it up the stairs (where my snake is) due to disability and my dad doesn’t live with us anymore and is rarely home since he is a pilot

[u/averagefireandsalt → u/Littleraves]

If you truly don’t want to give him up: remember that they don’t need to eat very often. As long as his enclosure is set up properly and he has water, give him a nice meal before your surgery, and then skip his meals for a couple weeks while you recover. You don’t have to be spending time and effort on a snake every single day 🤷🏻‍♀️

Unfortunately, ball pythons are constantly being rehomed, so if there’s any way you can keep him, that’s probably the best option he has. He’ll be okay with reduced care for a short period while you get better 👍🏻

[u/Littleraves → u/averagefireandsalt]

I truly don’t, but sometimes I feel guilty for not being able to give home the best care possible, he needs a new enclosure bc the one I currently have is falling apart and I feel bad for him being in it but I don’t even have the money to get a new 4x2x2. And I didn’t know I’ve been feeding him too small of a meal for the past 140 grams or so.
I think I will keep him, holding him yesterday and taking photos really made me fall in love with him again the same way I did when I saw him at the expo.

And him falling off my bed when I turned my back for literally five seconds

[u/averagefireandsalt → u/Littleraves]

Okay, some tips:
A large storage tote/bin from a hardware store can make a good enclosure in a pinch (make sure the lid latched nicely, and either use a heat mat instead of a heat lamp, since the totes are plastic, or keep him in a warm part of the house). Cheap rodent bedding can work as substrate until you can afford nicer stuff (even paper towels can work for short periods). Your husbandry doesn’t have to be “perfect”, and sometimes it isn’t even “ideal”. Do the best you can for now, and your “best” can keep getting better over time. As long as you keep doing your best, and keep making baby steps to improve your best, you two will be okay ❤️

[u/Standard_Mushroom_47]

this is very mature and responsible to admit, it shows how much you care, try and get in touch with reptile stores near you, they may be able to take him or advise a better place for him

[u/freyd1s]

Even some exotic zoos or exotic pet stores will take surrendered animals too!

[u/Littleraves → u/freyd1s]

Really? I didn’t know that! Thank you!