Anytime you have a dead pet situation, that is hard to digest. I know from experience. Dead ball python is a lot harder if you have to deal because it is simply that much bigger and harder to handle.
Only last week, my son lost a pet snake during a move due to unknown causes. We don’t really know what happened but we suspect either stress or poisoning by anti-pest sprays.
Dead Ball Python
Can You Have Ball Pythons As Pets?
Ball pythons are one of the longest snakes in the world, they boast a length of up to 3 meters in the wild. In captivity, they can grow up to 2 meters.
Pythons are not poisonous and therefore rely on their strong muscles to overpower their victims before killing them by constriction.
They crush their prey or squeeze it until it suffocates. Then they swallow it whole.
Ball pythons are also called royal pythons because of their regal beauty and the fact that they can be trained to accept human interaction. They are very popular as pets.
Ball pythons are solitary creatures so you should not house males together. They also do not like changes to their environment, so it is important that they get used to new surroundings very slowly. As long as you keep them well-fed and stimulate their intelligence with games etc., your ball python will be a wonderful pet for many years.
Will A Ball Python Starve Itself To Death?
Despite popular belief, ball pythons will not starve themselves to death.
However, this does not mean that your pet snake has been eating enough if it seems lethargic and is hiding out during the day. This can be a sign of illness but sometimes, due to improper care, a stressed snake might become less active and show signs of illness, too.
Even healthy snakes eat infrequently and sleep for long periods of time. Ball pythons should be handled very carefully, especially while shedding. If you’re not careful, your snake might mistake your finger for prey that will fight back! So, if you want to hold your ball python while it’s shedding or feeding, use a long-handled tool to avoid getting bitten by accident.
Ball Python Rolling Over – Is He Dying?
Your ball python might roll over and expose his belly in order to get your attention or if he feels threatened.
As long as the scales on his underside look healthy and there is no sign of wounds, parasites, swelling, etc., it’s most likely a normal behavior.
Ball pythons typically roll onto their backs when they’re feeling threatened by a potential predator or when they feel threatened by a sudden change in their environment.
Snakes typically roll over onto their backs to get your attention for food! This is not abnormal behavior at all because belly-up means that his underside is exposed – the perfect position for you to pick him up with a tool and feed him.
My Snake Is Stiff And Not Moving – Is He Dead?
If you find your ball python stiff and unresponsive, it might be because he’s in a shed cycle – this is when snakes get less flexible and can’t move around very well.
Make sure to give him some time to recover and check the shed scales of his skin. If everything seems healthy, increase the humidity of his enclosure by spraying the substrate with water and misting the snake himself every day.
Another reason for a stiff ball python is old age or illness which can be fatal in some cases. Dead ball python is a huge loss. So, keep checking your pet’s health.
If your pet seems unresponsive, lethargic and uninterested in food, it’s time to take him to the vet who will perform a full check-up and run some blood tests.
Is My Ball Python Dead Or Hibernating?
If you suspect that your ball python is dead, you can look for some clear signs of rotting or mold around his enclosure.
A strong smell of decay is evidence enough for a dead ball python, but make sure to also check the shed scales on the snake itself. If they are stuck together in places, he might be dead!
If your pet seems unresponsive, lethargic and uninterested in food, it’s time to take him to the vet who will perform a full check-up and run some blood tests.
Is A Stiff Snake Dead? Dead Ball Python Stiff Snake
A stiff snake is most likely dead. Ball pythons are known for their docility and their ability to go limp when stressed or handled roughly. This is another way of conserving energy which is why ball pythons do not even struggle against the constriction of an attacker.
If your pet seems unresponsive, lethargic and uninterested in food, it’s time to take him to the vet who will perform a full check-up and run some blood tests.
Is My Pet Ball Python Dead?
If you suspect that your ball python is dead, you can look for some clear signs of rotting or mold around his enclosure.
A strong smell of decay is evidence enough, but make sure to also check the shed scales on the snake itself. If they are stuck together in places, he might be dead!
15 Signs Of Dying Ball Python
Heavy Weight loss
If your pet Ball Python suddenly avoids eating any food, it could be because he is dying. There are few reasons why your snake may avoid food, but if this change in his behavior continues for several days, you should take him to the vet.
If your ball python has stopped eating, try to tempt him by offering freshly killed prey that’s already warm or use a warm piece of fish or chicken as a last resort.
If he his unresponsive and lethargic, it’s time to take him to the vet who will perform blood tests and run some tests on the snake.
Swollen Or Hard Belly
It can be normal for your pet Ball Python to have a bloated stomach at times because of fluid retention.
If the snake’s belly is constantly swollen or hard, it can be a sign of several issues ranging from constipation to parasites.
In most cases, the problem will go away on its own if you increase the humidity and offer him softer foods.
Do not try to induce vomiting by giving your ball python mineral oil, this could be dangerous for him.
Dead Ball Python
Rubbing Against The Enclosure
If your pet Ball Python is rubbing against the walls of his enclosure, it’s most likely because he’s not feeling well. In most cases, this behavior is a sign that there are parasites in the snake’s intestines as well as an infection inside its digestive system.
You need to clean your snake’s enclosure really well and check what you are feeding him. Make sure that he is not losing weight too quickly, he should defecate at least once a week.
Keep in mind that rubbing against the enclosure can also be caused by stress or boredom, but it wouldn’t hurt to take your pet to the vet.
Swollen Or Fluid Filled Eyes
If your pet Ball Python has swollen or fluid filled eyes, it could be because of several issues ranging from an infection to a tumor.
In most cases, this condition will go away on its own with the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Do not try to remove the fluid by yourself or pop your snake’s eye, it could be very risky for his health.
Dehydration
Ball pythons are great at regulating their body temperature and they can absorb water from their prey whenever they need to.
Even though the chances of your ball python dying from dehydration are very slim, it could be a sign that there are some internal issues.
If your snake is not thriving, then you need to take him to the vet who will perform a check-up and blood tests.
Scabs On The Skin Or Scales
If you notice small scabs on your ball python’s skin or scales, it can be a sign of several issues ranging from an injury to parasites.
In most cases, the problem will go away on its own if you clean your snake’s enclosure regularly and remove any loose or damaged scales.
It would also help to offer your pet softer foods in order to avoid further damage while feeding him.
Do not try to remove the scabs by yourself, they can get infected and might lead to larger problems.
Constipation
Ball pythons are great at holding their feces until it’s time for them to be eliminated.
However, if your snake is bloated and he has not defecated in several months, there could be an issue with his health.
In this case, you need to take him to the vet where he will perform a check-up and other tests in order to find out if there is an issue with his intestines or digestive system.
Abscesses On The Skin
If your snake has several abscesses on its skin, it’s most likely because of an infection.
In most cases, this problem will go away on its own with the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
If your snake is not thriving, then you would help if you clean need to take him to the vet who will perform a check-up and blood tests.
A ball python that stops eating could be unwell
Tumors On The Skin
If you spot a tumor on your pet’s skin, it could be a sign of several issues ranging from an infection to parasites.
In most cases, this problem will go away on its own with the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
It would also help to offer your snake softer foods in order to avoid further damage while feeding him.
Do not try to remove the tumors by yourself, they can get infected and might lead to larger problems.
Decreased Appetite
A ball python that stops eating could be unwell.
If your pet has not defecated in several months, there could be an issue with his health.
In this case, you need to take him to the vet where he will perform a check-up and other tests in order to find out if there is an issue with his intestines or digestive system.
Cloudy eyes
Dying ball python could have cloudy eyes.
If your pet has cloudy eyes, it could be because of several issues ranging from an injury to parasites.
In most cases, this condition will go away on its own with the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Do not try to remove the fluid by yourself or pop your snake’s eye, it could be very risky for his health.
Molting issues (infrequent shedding)
Molting issues can lead to the death of the Ball python.
Ball Python Not Flicking Tongue
Ball pythons flick their tongues in order to find out if there is something that they can eat.
If your pet ball python has stopped flicking its tongue, it might be because he hasn’t eaten anything for a very long time. It could be because your ball python is dying.
Respiratory issues
If your ball python is wheezing, it could be because of an infection. Ball Python Wheezing may lead to its death if not found and treated early.
Lack Of Any Activity
Ball Pythons spend their majority time coiled up and resting. They may be active during feeding, but this is a time when you should be relieving them of the jar to avoid stress and injury. If your ball python is not moving or coiling at all, then it could mean that he’s dying.
Why Did My Ball Python Die?
We know the snake was perfectly well in the morning because my son took him out to feed him, then put him back into his terrarium after that. By the afternoon, all he found was a dead ball python. He was already depressed about losing his pet, but when he called me up to tell me this sad news, it just added to the burden.
It depends on what led to the death of your snake. If it is a result of an external factor, such as a lack of heating or poor diet, then you should take steps to prevent this from happening again in the future. However, if it is because of an internal factor, then you just have to accept that your pet has passed away.
What Should I Do With A Dead Ball Python Pet?
After getting over the initial shock, I tried giving him some advice on what to do with the dead snake. Unfortunately, there are not too many options.
So what do you do with a dead python? Here’s my advice on how to handle this kind of situation:
1. Get the dead Ball Python out of your house as soon as possible
Snake skins contain deadly toxins which could be dangerous for humans even after death. I would not be able to sleep if I knew that the dead python’s skin was still somewhere in my house.
2. Place the dead ball python into a freezer
This is usually the safest option, but you need to ensure that there are not any children or pets around when carrying out this process. If you have a strong stomach, then consider yourself lucky.
3. Bury your dead ball python near the garden
This is only suitable if you have a small yard and there are no children around. The rising damp could also be dangerous so keep this in mind before taking this option.
If none of these work out for you, then consider contacting a pet crematorium or checking with your local vet for advice on what to do with your dead snake.
Dead Ball Python
It’s been a week since my son lost his ball python pet and he has still not accepted it. He is complaining that the snake died all because of him, but I try my best to comfort him by telling him that these things happen in life. It’s probably something we will never understand.
Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️
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