Ball-Pythons.net Forums https://ball-pythons.net/forums/ Ball python care and information as well as community driven content covering all manner of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates - from boas to ball and blood pythons to bearded dragons and brachys. Have questions? We have answers! Come join our unique community and create your own photo gallery, compete in monthly contests, classifieds, calendared events and so much more. Got balls? We got you covered! en Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:18:22 GMT vBulletin 60 https://ball-pythons.net/forums/images/themes/default/misc/rss.png Ball-Pythons.net Forums https://ball-pythons.net/forums/ Southern Hognose Snake Update (USARK) https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273277-Southern-Hognose-Snake-Update-(USARK)&goto=newpost Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:50:01 GMT
ALERT: ESA Listing for Southern Hognose
UPDATE 6/8/26: If you work with this species and are interested in speaking at the public meeting or submitting a comment, please email info@usark.org. The new comment period has opened and ends on July 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. The public meeting will be held virtually (online) on June 25.

UPDATE 6/5/26: This update will be posted in the Federal Register on June 8. FWS is reopening the comment period for 30 days on the proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

Public hearing: On June 25, 2026, FWS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The public hearing will allow an opportunity to present verbal testimony.

Full details, meeting registration link, and more at https://usark.org/25esa3/.

ALERT: Rhode Island
UPDATE: Tegus were removed from this rule change. Thank you to the dedicated herpetoculturists who spoke at the hearing and emailed DEM. UPDATE 5/12/26: The hearing was tonight. Twelve dedicated herpetoculturists attended, and five spoke in opposition to the proposal. No one appeared in support. The speakers did a tremendous job representing responsible herpetoculturists. Phil Goss was there to represent USARK and our members. While this is a permitting system, the requirements are extremely burdensome and completely unfair to current owners. It could prove to be a de facto ban if permits are not issued for any reason at the agency's discretion. The agency representatives tonight were very receptive, and we appreciate their time, but they were with a separate department from that overseeing these permits. Comments are allowed until May 20.

Full details at https://usark.org/26ri/.
ALERT: Pennington County, SDUPDATE: 4/21/26: The Commissioners voted not to pass the broad ban on “exotic” and undomesticated animals. Thank you to all local residents and experts who relayed their opposition and education on this matter.

Pennington County in South Dakota has proposed a ban on all non-domesticated animals. This would ban most species kept as pets, including aquarium fish, parrots, reptiles, amphibians, hedgehogs, and more. The ordinance also specifically bans any “nondomestic animal.” While this extreme ban may not be the intent, the language used bans most animals. This has a final vote on April 21, so local residents need to contact officials immediately and, if possible, attend the meeting.Meeting: Tuesday, April 21 at 9:00 AM, Commission Chambers in the County Administration Building, 900 Concourse Drive, Rapid City, SD

Get more details and email information at https://usark.org/26sd/.
NEW SHIRTS!Check out our newest adult USARK shirt! We also have it in youth sizes! They are available now! Get yours now at https://usark.org/shop/.Thank you to Adeline Robinson Art for the design!

ALERT: WisconsinUpdate: UPDATE 5/18/25: Despite receiving opposition to some of the new regulations from state legislators, DNR moved forward with regulations that ban possession of all native species, including captive-bred animals (except for three “color variants”), and the use of common equipment while field herping.

More information at https://usark.org/25wi/.
Other Alerts and NewsAlways posted and updated athttps://usark.org/.
Find A VetNeed a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.
Copyright © 2026 USARK, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website.

Our mailing address is:
USARK3650 Sacramento Dr
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
]]> Bogertophis https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273277-Southern-Hognose-Snake-Update-(USARK) <![CDATA[What's in a heartbeat...]]> https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273276-What-s-in-a-heartbeat&goto=newpost Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:22:04 GMT Image:... ]]> Creative Corner Bogertophis https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273276-What-s-in-a-heartbeat ALERT UPDATES + NEW shirt for sale! (USARK) https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273275-ALERT-UPDATES-NEW-shirt-for-sale!-(USARK)&goto=newpost Sat, 06 Jun 2026 03:22:04 GMT
ALERT: Rhode Island
UPDATE: Tegus were removed from this rule change. Thank you to the dedicated herpetoculturists who spoke at the hearing and emailed DEM. UPDATE 5/12/26: The hearing was tonight. Twelve dedicated herpetoculturists attended, and five spoke in opposition to the proposal. No one appeared in support. The speakers did a tremendous job representing responsible herpetoculturists. Phil Goss was there to represent USARK and our members. While this is a permitting system, the requirements are extremely burdensome and completely unfair to current owners. It could prove to be a de facto ban if permits are not issued for any reason at the agency's discretion. The agency representatives tonight were very receptive, and we appreciate their time, but they were with a separate department from that overseeing these permits. Comments are allowed until May 20.

Full details at https://usark.org/26ri/.
ALERT: ESA Listing for Southern HognoseUPDATE 6/5/26: This update will be posted in the Federal Register on June 8. FWS is reopening the comment period for 30 days on the proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

Public hearing: On June 25, 2026, FWS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The public hearing will allow an opportunity to present verbal testimony.

Full details, meeting registration link, and more at https://usark.org/25esa3/.
ALERT: Pennington County, SDUPDATE: 4/21/26: The Commissioners voted not to pass the broad ban on “exotic” and undomesticated animals. Thank you to all local residents and experts who relayed their opposition and education on this matter.

Pennington County in South Dakota has proposed a ban on all non-domesticated animals. This would ban most species kept as pets, including aquarium fish, parrots, reptiles, amphibians, hedgehogs, and more. The ordinance also specifically bans any “nondomestic animal.” While this extreme ban may not be the intent, the language used bans most animals. This has a final vote on April 21, so local residents need to contact officials immediately and, if possible, attend the meeting.Meeting: Tuesday, April 21 at 9:00 AM, Commission Chambers in the County Administration Building, 900 Concourse Drive, Rapid City, SD

Get more details and email information at https://usark.org/26sd/.
NEW SHIRTS!Check out our newest adult USARK shirt! We also have it in youth sizes! They are available now! Get yours now at https://usark.org/shop/.Thank you to Adeline Robinson Art for the design!

ALERT: WisconsinUpdate: UPDATE 5/18/25: Despite receiving opposition to some of the new regulations from state legislators, DNR moved forward with regulations that ban possession of all native species, including captive-bred animals (except for three “color variants”), and the use of common equipment while field herping.

More information at https://usark.org/25wi/.
Other Alerts and NewsAlways posted and updated athttps://usark.org/.
Find A VetNeed a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.
Copyright © 2026 USARK, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website.

Our mailing address is:
USARK3650 Sacramento Dr
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
]]> Bogertophis https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273275-ALERT-UPDATES-NEW-shirt-for-sale!-(USARK) <![CDATA[The year's best snake photo]]> https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273274-The-year-s-best-snake-photo&goto=newpost Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:27:08 GMT Harmless corn snake on Georgia golf course has golfers calling it the year's best snake photo ]]> Herp Science News/Herp News Homebody https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273274-The-year-s-best-snake-photo <![CDATA["Love them or leave them..."]]> https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273273-quot-Love-them-or-leave-them-quot&goto=newpost Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:55:38 GMT Image:... ]]> Venomous Animals Bogertophis https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273273-quot-Love-them-or-leave-them-quot Scale rot or scab? https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273272-Scale-rot-or-scab&goto=newpost Wed, 27 May 2026 01:23:00 GMT Hello! This is my first post on the forum, apologies for any mistakes. I would like opinions as to if this mark on my BP is the beginning of scale rot or a scab? any other opinions are welcome, thank y'all for the help!


A few weeks ago he did get pinched between a mounted branch and the glass for a few seconds, but this if this is the result of that is has just now appeared.
Pics are from May 21 and May 26th (after cleaning the area with a damp paper towel)


Tank is kept at 50-60% humidity, 75-80⁰F (ambient), and last shed was in April. I have moved him to a small tote with new bedding for the time being.



May 21 https://cdn.corenexis.com/files/c/5987341720.jpg
May 26 https://cdn.corenexis.com/files/c/4835992720.jpg ]]> BP Husbandry mh789 https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273272-Scale-rot-or-scab Unfortunate news regarding the ball python I was going to adopt https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273271-Unfortunate-news-regarding-the-ball-python-I-was-going-to-adopt&goto=newpost Thu, 21 May 2026 23:01:38 GMT Some back story. I work for an animal shelter as a kennel tech. Last month we got in 3 ball pythons from an abandonment case. They were abandoned in a shed with no heat or food for over a month. Two of those pythons have since been adopted and I was waiting to adopt the third. The third python was... Some back story. I work for an animal shelter as a kennel tech. Last month we got in 3 ball pythons from an abandonment case. They were abandoned in a shed with no heat or food for over a month. Two of those pythons have since been adopted and I was waiting to adopt the third. The third python was having intermittent wheezing. Her appetite was good and she seemed otherwise healthy. The vet tested her for a few respiratory illnesses, and she was negative for all of them. They put her on a course of injectable antibiotic just in case. I ordered her enclosure from Zen Habitats and I'm waiting for them to ship it, but I just got the call from my boss that they tested her for IBD and she tested positive. :( They are reaching out to the other two people that adopted the other two to see about testing them as well. ]]> Panick https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273271-Unfortunate-news-regarding-the-ball-python-I-was-going-to-adopt Exercise and Enrichment Ideas https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273270-Exercise-and-Enrichment-Ideas&goto=newpost Wed, 20 May 2026 16:21:00 GMT Hey everyone—got any fun ideas for outside‑the‑enclosure exercise or enrichment for boas? When I’m cleaning enclosures, I’d love something better than just sticking them in a bin. Plus it’d be nice to let them stretch out and explore a bit while they’re out. I was thinking about using an old wooden ladder with some netting added, but I’m open to anything. Bonus points if it looks good in a man‑cave‑style reptile room. Curious what setups you all use. ]]> Red Tail Boas ckuhn003 https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273270-Exercise-and-Enrichment-Ideas Ball Python bit by rat https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273268-Ball-Python-bit-by-rat&goto=newpost Thu, 14 May 2026 21:25:25 GMT Today when I went to feed him, he got bit, I always supervise and normally prevent that, however it happened very quickly, and when I tried to help, he kept pulling away (which I know is dumb.) I haven't seen any signs of blood, or any sign of a wound, but I don't want to move him and cause him to regurgitate. All my betadine and vetricin has expired, and I can't afford anymore until tomorrow. I'm trying to switch him to paper towels, though a little concerned that he might regurgitate when I move him. I know live feed is not recommended, and plan to switch him. Right now my main concern is that he's okay. How can I safely look for a potential wound without risking regurgitation? ]]> General Herp Missveronica https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?273268-Ball-Python-bit-by-rat