Could my Ball Python be Blind?

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micstarz

micstarz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 28, 2008
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Hong Kong
Hey!

I got my new young ball python yesterday. Not sure on sex. It ate (there was poop in it's enclosure in the shop). It's nearly definately wild caught because it was a fraction of the price of the CB's, and has a little scar on it's underside. Please don't bother lecturing me on not buying wild caughts.

Here's the problem. I think it may be blind. It does not react to ANY visual stimulus. Shining a torch at it's eyes - no reaction. Pupils don't even dilate. It responds slightly to movement of it's enclosure. When it was handled, it kept rubbing it's 'nose' and chin over my hand and kept bumping into my hand. When I put it down, it kept on raising it's head at a right angle into the air and flicking it's tongue out. And then it didn't move until I picked it up and put it in it's enclosure.

Is it blind? Or is it just normal?

Also, the poop was white and green. Is this unhealthy?

Thanks!
 
No, no signs of visual damage (apart from the scar I mentioned)

He is a little triangular-ish, but everything else seems fine to me...breathing is regular.

He isn't curled up or anything...he's just sitting there and doesn't even go into his hide box. Seriously, he kind of looks like he's a fake snake...if he wasn't breathing and flicking his tongue...
 
Is he constantly flicking his tongue or is it only when you touch him? I think it would be a good sign if he started flicking his tongue when you're in possible sight but before you even touch his enclosure. Also with the scar on his belly, If hes fairly young it might be where the eggsack was attached.
 
Yeah, he's fairly young. No, he only flicks his tongue when I touch him...also, he doesn't curl up into a ball...just sits there. He even lets me touch hs head (which snakes shouldn't ever let you do, right?)
 
I have some balls that I'm sure can see but are not even the least bit head shy. I guess it just depends on the snake. You typically won't see many very young balls that are not head shy but if hes not even pulling into a ball when you touch his head, I dont think you can credit that to him being blind.
 
Something that I suddenly realize now...none of the snakes at the petstore that I was choosing from seemed scared at all...maybe it's a nutrient deficiency? B1 or Calcium?
 
As long as the snake is eating it will not have a nutrient deficiency. Mice/rats contain all the nutrients they need and BP's do not need any additional vitamin supplement or UVB lighting....so I would rule that out.

I would take it to a reputable reptile vet to get it a good look at. I would recommend that anyway...even if he was acting perfectly normal.
 
I think your snake may have some stuck shed skin on most of its body, you dont see it because it has yet to begin to shed wich is very comon on wild cauths. I sugest that you give your snake a warm water bath and see what comes of it.
 
Yeah...I've been thinking about a vet trip. It won't be a big inconvenience for me apart from money wise, which can be solved.

I'll give him a warm bath. Thanks :D

What is assist-feeding?
 
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