Baby ball won't eat

**Andy_G** · 01-03-17, 06:22 PM

Some suggestions:

1. Those log hides do not offer much security for a snake since they're open on 2 sides. You're further off getting box-type hides that barely fit your snake. They like snug hides.

2. That's a really big (tall) enclosure for a baby ball python...although I am sure some would disagree with me. At the very least, cover the sides and the back up with something to reduce the chances of your snake feeling exposed.

3. It's my opinion that your temps are too cold. Aim for 78-82 ambient, with a 92-95 hot spot, with no night time drop. Heat stimulates hunger and therefore will stimulate feeding response.

And finally...

4. If he was eating live, get him eating live food for you before you try anything else. Just offer 1 properly sized live food item in the evening once a week. Once he is eating regularly then you can try to get him on F/T. Fuzzie mice would be too small. I would try a large live fuzzie rat. Big enough to entice appetite, but not big enough to hurt the snake. Offer feeding in the enclosure, don't use a separate feeding bin/cage. Be patient and don't offer food any more often than every 5 days (but I would recommend once a week as stated)

Last but not least : Not sure if you've been doing this, but DO NOT handle your new acquisition until it's eating well.

ariez189 · 01-03-17, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Some suggestions:

1. Those log hides do not offer much security for a snake since they're open on 2 sides. You're further off getting box-type hides that barely fit your snake. They like snug hides.

2. That's a really big (tall) enclosure for a baby ball python...although I am sure some would disagree with me. At the very least, cover the sides and the back up with something to reduce the chances of your snake feeling exposed.

3. It's my opinion that your temps are too cold. Aim for 78-82 ambient, with a 92-95 hot spot, with no night time drop. Heat stimulates hunger and therefore will stimulate feeding response.

And finally...

4. If he was eating live, get him eating live food for you before you try anything else. Just offer 1 properly sized live food item in the evening once a week. Once he is eating regularly then you can try to get him on F/T. Fuzzie mice would be too small. I would try a large live fuzzie rat. Big enough to entice appetite, but not big enough to hurt the snake. Offer feeding in the enclosure, don't use a separate feeding bin/cage. Be patient and don't offer food any more often than every 5 days (but I would recommend once a week as stated)

Last but not least : Not sure if you've been doing this, but DO NOT handle your new acquisition until it's eating well.

Ok, thank you. I have closed off both logs on 1 side to help him feel more secure.
I have ordered a background for the back wall and just now ordered one for the sides so they will be closed off.

For heat, I was using a 5.5 inch dome light with reflector, but it became too hot on the lamp itself (about 300 degrees) and made the temp.'s in the tank too high. What do you suggest to help raise the temp.'s some? I currently use 75 watt bulbs. Should I maybe try 100?

Thank you for the advice on the feeders. I will try giving him a live fuzzie rat next week.

I have done little handling with him since he arrived. Should I continue to feed in the enclosure even after he consistently feeds or switch him to another tank for feeding?

Just to make sure, should I monitor his weight since he is not eating or leave it be for now?

Cricket1234 · 01-07-17, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Some suggestions:

1. Those log hides do not offer much security for a snake since they're open on 2 sides. You're further off getting box-type hides that barely fit your snake. They like snug hides.

2. That's a really big (tall) enclosure for a baby ball python...although I am sure some would disagree with me. At the very least, cover the sides and the back up with something to reduce the chances of your snake feeling exposed.

3. It's my opinion that your temps are too cold. Aim for 78-82 ambient, with a 92-95 hot spot, with no night time drop. Heat stimulates hunger and therefore will stimulate feeding response.

And finally...

4. If he was eating live, get him eating live food for you before you try anything else. Just offer 1 properly sized live food item in the evening once a week. Once he is eating regularly then you can try to get him on F/T. Fuzzie mice would be too small. I would try a large live fuzzie rat. Big enough to entice appetite, but not big enough to hurt the snake. Offer feeding in the enclosure, don't use a separate feeding bin/cage. Be patient and don't offer food any more often than every 5 days (but I would recommend once a week as stated)

Last but not least : Not sure if you've been doing this, but DO NOT handle your new acquisition until it's eating well.

Agreed. But if you do all these things and it still doesn't work, it may be just be refusing to eat just because. Ball Pythons are notorious for going on fasts, and this will worry beginer keepers. Lol I would be worried I had a BP and it stopped eating