Ball python feeding difficulties poll

[remsin76]

i had difficulties with my ball but realized that it wasnt the balls fault it was me offering him too small of prey. my ball is no CB but never really gave me problems.

[Piebald Guy]

Balls are really easy to take care of. They don't bite very much, docile and very forgiving. I was asking Jeff about my ball that squeezed out of its tank last week through a 3/8" wide slot. This snake is the 1700+gram female I refer to in my "how much do your ball pythons weigh this year" post. Read it if you want to see how some balls feed VERY well. If a 2"+ diameter snake can squeeze through a 3/8" wide slot stuffed full of rats then ball pythons must be very forgiving snakes.

Do I have feeding problems? Oh yes, I have two W/C's that WILL NOT EAT!!! I can get them eating gerbils if I want but I'm still tring to starve them into rats (live). If no sucess by tomorrow I'm going to purchase a dozen gerbils and feed them off. One of the w/c's is starting to look terrible. Now these are bp's that were imported gravid this year (all information discovered AFTER the purchase through a chance encounter with someone, I never would have purchased them if I knew).

Then I have a 100% het Sutherland albino male from Corey Woods sold to me directly from the person who purchased it from him. He is going to be bread this year to 100% het albino females so I am expecting albino balls in about one year. However he is very picky. Ate only once for me (F/T rat) and rejected food on three other occasions.

Vary your feeding patterns. Do not offer food on a regular basis. Try in four days and if no success DO NOT try agian for 10 days. If it still doesn't take, offer again in 5 days, if no success offer again at least 14 days later. Im not saying this works but if the animal realizes that food may or may not be comming it might be more inclined to eat when offered. Try that rack. It works BEYOND GREAT!!!!

Dave

BTW my 544g hatchling refused her first meal last night. But after 5 rat pups in two weeks I'm not worried.

[SerpentLust]

At the pet store I work at, I work with the reptiles and the Ball refuses f/t but eats live in a snap!

Jenn

[eViL_KaRoT]

Yeah, BP's are really bad at going on off feed. Some never do, but most do. Mine JUST came back to eating again. He went on off feed back in October and just started eating again last week, so 9 months on off feed. Kind of stressfull for the owner. I think the reason that they are considered good started snakes is because of the fact that they stay reletively small and seem to be more docile. But you are right, the off feed is not a good thing for first timers, unless they are fully aware of that fact.

[Mark]

Both of mine are great eaters and only refuse food will in shed or a week prior. I had more problems with my male corn snake which just came off a 5 month fast.

[Infectrix]

I guess I could add my experience with my bp..

Out of about 50 or so feedings, 4 were live and the rest f/t.. Her first meal was on the day after I got her.. She's eaten pinky>fuzzy>adult mice and is currently on small rats.. No delay in mouse>rat transition.. She eats whatever my boa constrictor refuses.. With her being my first and only bp I have yet to experience the challenge of problem feeding bp..

[fateamber]

I have, when its cold weather but when its hot i don't seem to have any difficulty feeding him

[Linds]

Originally posted by Piebald Guy
If a 2"+ diameter snake can squeeze through a 3/8" wide slot stuffed full of rats then ball pythons must be very forgiving snakes.

All snakes are capable of flattening their heads/bodies to some degree to get through tight spots. Just curious why you say this makes them forgiving?

[RaVeNo888o]

sorry to move off topic but what does the term 'gravid' refer to. I have seen it mentioned a few times, both cases in terms of wc bp's.

[Linds]

RaVeNo888o,
Gravid is a herp term for pregnant. It applies to all reptiles.

[snkmn]

my ball python is a great feeder. i have heard the horror stories about them .but mine eats every week without fail.

[Belegnole]

I have my first ball...23" as of right now and had it for 2 1/2 weeks so far. Having had other snakes in the past I can see where these guys could be considered problem feeders. When I pick the snake up I asked when it had been fed last. I was told the day before and a live mouse was what it ate. One week later I tried f/t.....no luck. Then next day I decided to try a bit of an experiment try a live mouse.....It snapped the mouse right up. This week I tried two mice....No problem....So, next week I am beginning the transition to f/t; first a live, then a stunned in the same feeding. Then week by week switch over to f/t only. Now something that has come to mind concerning the problems feeding balls. I have notice that many feed with fingers or if nothing else with the handler VERY observable by the ball. If you consider how head shy Balls are and combine it with the close proximity of the handler... what do you get?

I know this last isn't the answer to the eating problem, but just a observation. Though for some it may be the answer and if it is great. DON"T let yourself be seen if the snake is acting hesitant to eat. I use a seperate poly container that is almost opaque it works well. If I sit still I can watch . I had a Dumerils that would not eat if it knew I was in the room......had a milk that refused all the time.

[GTPman4]

I've had my 30" female BP for 2 years now and she has only refused food while in a shed. Other than my GTP, she is the best feeder out of my collection of 7 snakes.

[killaclown]

I had homies crying and wining about how there bps wont eat then i feed them live and well lets just say they aint buying frozen. But if you want them to eat froxen www.rodentpro.com is a good place to buy