ball python wont eat - Page 2

youngster · 07-25-11, 02:51 PM

I would certainly get a carpet python but they're too expensive and too big for me.

SkYyaMe1623 · 07-25-11, 02:53 PM

Either way I see you have a cornsnake. I'm assuming it's not in the process of starving itself? Don't expect this behavior out of a ball.

youngster · 07-25-11, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkYyaMe

Either way I see you have a cornsnake. I'm assuming it's not in the process of starving itself? Don't expect this behavior out of a ball.

Nope he has eaten twice without a fuss

totheend · 07-25-11, 03:03 PM

Sorry, what I should have said was they don't just stop eating and die for no reason at all...

SkYyaMe1623 · 07-25-11, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totheend

Sorry, what I should have said was they don't just stop eating and die for no reason at all...

lol I read this as my ball python is starving itself in the corner for no reason at all

citysnakes · 07-25-11, 04:39 PM

Balls dont just starve themselves to death, however they are known to fast, especially mature animals and at around the same time, year after year.

its uncommon for baby balls to fast for breeding season, male or female and i would never use breeding season as a reason for a non-feeding immature animal.

if your bp isn't eating then there is a reason. you may just not know what it is yet because maybe you've only been keeping ball pythons for a total of a few weeks...

NewBs crack me up...

Jenn_06 · 07-25-11, 04:58 PM

BP will not eating for a lot of reason, breeding season, stress, illness, ect........

if you just got a BP let it be for a week or 2 just change the water and clean out poop, little things can stress out a little snake. my 1st snake was a BP and took about 2 months to get him to eat and he would not eat every time i offered him a rat but it was ok he still had a good weight and looked healthy.

If youe BP will not eat its ok snakes can go with out food for a long time just keep a eye on it and dont mess with it until it starts eating better....watch the weight

marionsclan · 07-25-11, 06:00 PM

I suppose I got lucky when I got my first ball at the age of 8 mts. The only problem I've had with her is that she doesn't like f/t so live it is for now. She's only on rat pubs so I have some time to change her to f/k and then f/t. She feeds once a week and is always interested. I suppose Balls are like picky children and as long as they don't lose weight, why worry? Just weigh her regularly and offer her food every two weeks. If you offer f/t you can refreeze so you don't waste it.

But just because you have gotten a pet that didn't turn out the way you hoped, doesn't mean the whole species sux. Also, you can't compare a c/b and c/bb to function completely like a wild snake. You may want to consider giving you Ball to someone who has the patience for its fickleness and get that carpet.

totheend · 07-25-11, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkYyaMe

From my understanding and personal experience, many other snake species (including carpet pythons) have the survival insticts to not kill themselves over a slight bit of discomfort, or no reason at all...

SkYyaMe....that is what YOU said LOL

SkYyaMe1623 · 07-26-11, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marionsclan

But just because you have gotten a pet that didn't turn out the way you hoped, doesn't mean the whole species sux. You may want to consider giving you Ball to someone who has the patience for its fickleness and get that carpet.

I never said the "whole species sux" I just implied that the ball python's general lack of feeding response has made it an aggrivating experience for me personally, and this experience has taught me to never buy a ball again, and I was just sharing my thoughts.

Getting rid of him for a carpet is great advice, and if he won't eat in the next couple weeks I'll need to figure out how to ship him out

Jenn_06 · 07-26-11, 08:59 AM

Skyyame if you want to sell him make sure its to someone that knows about BP i would buy him in a heart beat if i had the money.

youngster · 07-26-11, 09:24 AM

How much are you looking for and where do you live?

brylecc1989 · 07-26-11, 08:45 PM

Your ball python is not gonna starve if it doesn't eat for a week, or even a month or two or three for that matter. If you did research, you'd know balls are finicky eaters. If not, you should have! Either way i feel your attitude about your one ball python not eating for a week is a bit ridiculous. Not all balls do this, not all carpets eat everything. Although a species majority may fit a stereotype, every snakes different. Not tryin to fight, just saying if it doesnt eat, buy a critter keeper and keep a rat for a week or two and try again. Or use frozen. It'll eat when it's hungry.

Youngster-If you really like ball pythons, and you understand skipping meals is a common and non harmful thing for SOME ball pythons, there is no reason not to get one.

youngster · 07-26-11, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brylecc1989

Youngster-If you really like ball pythons, and you understand skipping meals is a common and non harmful thing for SOME ball pythons, there is no reason not to get one.

Haha yeah I know, I'm not even getting a snake anytime soon so I have plenty of time to have my mind changed! ;D

BPs are picky eaters that go awhile between meals but snakes are built to endure famines because catching prey when you have no legs is not an easy feat ;D

acs102 · 07-26-11, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brylecc1989

Your ball python is not gonna starve if it doesn't eat for a week, or even a month or two or three for that matter. If you did research, you'd know balls are finicky eaters. If not, you should have! Either way i feel your attitude about your one ball python not eating for a week is a bit ridiculous. Not all balls do this, not all carpets eat everything. Although a species majority may fit a stereotype, every snakes different. Not tryin to fight, just saying if it doesnt eat, buy a critter keeper and keep a rat for a week or two and try again. Or use frozen. It'll eat when it's hungry.

Youngster-If you really like ball pythons, and you understand skipping meals is a common and non harmful thing for SOME ball pythons, there is no reason not to get one.

I agree. I love my ball, I couldn't imagine even thinking of getting rid of the little guy for any reason. I love his laid back personality and cute little face. I've been lucky so far that he hasn't gone on any hunger strikes, he hasn't refused a meal in the seven months I've had him- he even ate days after I got him, treated him for mites and was going through a bad shed. But he's still a baby, perhaps when he reaches maturity it'll be different. But I knew about them before I took on the responsibility.

Carpets are cool, but they're nippy when they're little. It's my only complaint. It's taken my boyfriend and I since April to get it so his doesn't strike at the glass and we're just now getting to the point of being able to hold him without gloves. I find that more frustrating than anything, having to hook him just to give him fresh water or scoop his poop.

Every snake has it's positives and negatives. Can't judge them all based on one bad experience.