Baby ball won't eat - Page 2

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

PsychoSnake · 01-07-17, 03:52 PM

The ball I got from Petsmart refused to eat frozen thawed and had never eaten while on display (Petsmart policy prevents live feeding). He took live mice for a few feedings and after he was established and felt safe in his new home he took frozen thawed but it had to be piping hot. He still has issues of it's not hot enough.

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-07-17, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariez189

As of right now, I am not finding anywhere by me that has these. I'm finding pinkies and small rats and mice.

Mice and rats of any size are easily found online. Big Cheese and Perfect Prey are my favorites, as at least for me the shipping isn't bad and they both vacuum pack their rodents. If you live close to the facility, Layne Labs is another good choice, but their costs are prohibitive for me living on the opposite side of the country.

If you have trouble finding something you need, or you find that ordering from them is cheaper than where you're going now, definitely check them out. If you order enough for a year, the face cost is high but then you won't have to order again for a long time. An opened bag can last 6-8 months and a sealed bag can last 1-3 years.

ariez189 · 01-07-17, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Mice and rats of any size are easily found online. Big Cheese and Perfect Prey are my favorites, as at least for me the shipping isn't bad and they both vacuum pack their rodents. If you live close to the facility, Layne Labs is another good choice, but their costs are prohibitive for me living on the opposite side of the country.

If you have trouble finding something you need, or you find that ordering from them is cheaper than where you're going now, definitely check them out. If you order enough for a year, the face cost is high but then you won't have to order again for a long time. An opened bag can last 6-8 months and a sealed bag can last 1-3 years.

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. I was referring to live feeders since someone had mentioned giving him a live feeder since that's what he is used to.

ariez189 · 01-08-17, 03:12 PM

So here's the new set-up. I have an 8.5 inch ceramic lamp with built-in dimmer on top with 75 watt black infrared bulb. Also have a 5.5 inch lamp with 13 watt 2.0 UVB bulb, 30-40 gallon UTH and thermostat.

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-08-17, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariez189

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. I was referring to live feeders since someone had mentioned giving him a live feeder since that's what he is used to.

I would still order a few later on, so you can start the process to getting the snake switched over. Once they're on f/t it's easier to find food, and it lasts longer, not to mention safer, so I'd definitely advise doing that. The older the snake is, the harder it will be to switch.

In the meantime, yeah, you'll need to shop around for a live one. Maybe try Craigslist? I've found mice, rats, and rabbits by putting ISO ads on CL. It may even be cheaper there than a pet store.

ariez189 · 01-08-17, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

I would still order a few later on, so you can start the process to getting the snake switched over. Once they're on f/t it's easier to find food, and it lasts longer, not to mention safer, so I'd definitely advise doing that. The older the snake is, the harder it will be to switch.

In the meantime, yeah, you'll need to shop around for a live one. Maybe try Craigslist? I've found mice, rats, and rabbits by putting ISO ads on CL. It may even be cheaper there than a pet store.

Ok, thank you for the suggestion. I will try that!

ariez189 · 01-10-17, 06:08 PM

Success! Got him to eat a small f/t mouse!

**Aaron_S** · 01-10-17, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariez189

Do you wait till they get to be a certain size before going to 7 days? If so, when do you usually switch to every 7 days?

You can do this right now if you like. It'll be fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariez189

As of right now, I am not finding anywhere by me that has these. I'm finding pinkies and small rats and mice.

Since he took a f/t mouse I would go ahead and purchase some rat pups/weans of appropriate size frozen along with a few mice. A meal or two more and you can start the process of switching.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cricket1234

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

This is an old school way of thinking. Ball pythons were notoriously not eating due to husbandry issues we didn't recognize. It's extremely rare for a ball python not to eat for no reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariez189

Success! Got him to eat a small f/t mouse!

Awesome!

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-10-17, 06:52 PM

Glad to hear he ate f/t! Ball pythons are picky but there's always a reason for it. Just gotta figure it out sometimes.

ariez189 · 01-10-17, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

This is an old school way of thinking. Ball pythons were notoriously not eating due to husbandry issues we didn't recognize. It's extremely rare for a ball python not to eat for no reason.

Awesome!

Thank you! I think you are correct. I think he just needed some viv adjustments and some more time to settle in. He seems quite content now, especially after his big meal!

ariez189 · 01-12-17, 07:40 PM

After, before 2 and before 1 of the tank