Weak Bredli

[wes85]

Hey guys, My 8 month old Bredli has had a very weak grip on my arm and his branches in the last few days! He has fallen off his branch twice in the last week and fallen off my arm but luckily for me I was able to catch him. He's very energetic and inquisitive still, but his lack of strength is very concerning. Any ideas?

 

[Crystal..Discus]

Standard info when asking what's wrong:

What temps have you got him at
Last time he ate
Anything else that seems unusual

 

[souldoubt]

As above: we will need to see a little bit more about your husbandry conditions. A python should be able to climb back up their body if you suspend them by the tail although that is a somewhat crude test and you should not do it at a great height from the ground. It could just be that the snake is a bit clumbsy, I had a hatchling that wasnt weak but definitely didnt grip hard, and had a few tumbles. With age that problem stopped - of course that doesnt mean this is the same problem with your snake

Please do tell us a little more about your husbandry conditions, and have any events happened recently that could lead to this. I would also get in touch with the breeder and see if theyve heard of similar problems in any clutch mates or other snakes that theyve bred

 

[wes85]

temp is 31 by day 28 at night
he ate last wednesday
nothing seems to be out of the ordinary other than his weak grip, it has me completley baffled.

 

[souldoubt]

has his muscle mass deteriorated? how often is he shedding? what are the temps at the cold end and where is the probe in the enclosure?

 

[Crystal..Discus]

If you have him in an enclosure, put him in a tub with some paper towels on the bottom and something to climb on - this way, if he falls again damage will be minimal.

What you're describing could be a number of things unfortunately... he could be dehydrated, he could be malnourished (e.g Internal parasite), it could be mites.

Try feeding him again and make note of his reaction to being offered food, but before that check his breathing.

Also, when was the last time he pooped?

 

[pythrulz]

how often and what do you feed your bredli increase the temps to about 35-37 and maybe increase the size and frequency of its feeds