Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So, I know you all are probably going to freak out knowing that everyone gave me some helpful (VERY HELPFUL) advice on my previous post.... And I thank you for all that..... Tonight Oliver downed a mouse!!

I spoke with my vet today (which is who I work for) and she was telling me that she did some research for me and told me to try a mouse instead of a rat... (which I think someone here had suggested it, and if I overlooked it, then I'm sorry! I was more concerned about his stress level than anything)

She had told me to go ahead and offer him a larger mouse instead, i guess some snakes are partial to mice... well... I'm guessing that my snake may be one of those where he'll pound 2 or 3 mice when he's a bit bigger.. no worries..

I've also given him AMPLE hide spots and made sure all of his gauges look right... I have left him alone the last couple of days and I think he's gotten better.... I also did what everyone had suggested..... put the mouse in the feeding tub, turned off the lights for about 10 minutes or so and let the room fill up with the mousey smell... then came back, put the snake in there... turned off the lights again and WHAM, Less than a few seconds after I put him in there and secured the lid, did I hear a THUMP and a small squeak!

Thank you everyone for your valuable advice!! Between you all, my vet, and a few other herp owners I know personally, I think I may have found out what my problem has been!!!!

Yay! I can rest easy now!!

Teri

An adult ball needs an awful lot of mice to do as well as it would with an adequate sized rat.

Now that you have it eating, the best thing is to listen to what people told you - leave it alone for a while, and offer it a rat next time. Believe me, it is a pain in the NECK to get enough mice for an adult ball python. I have a male that wouldn't eat rats for a while and it took 2 jumbo mice a week to feed him, 4 regular mice if I couldn't get my hands on jumbos (retired mommy mice).

Good luck!

~jenny
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"We call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words."
- Anna Sewell (1820-1878)

Thanks Jenny..... I am definitely going to be leaving him alone for awhile. I made sure he had fresh water and his vivarium was clean.... he should be fine to just relax for a few days to a week... i don't plan on doing anything with him... so... I'll offer him a rat in 10 days or two weeks and see if he wants that, and if not, I may have to get jumbo mice for a little while.... just so he eats and stays healthy... He's proved to me tonight that he was in fact hungry... so he doesnt' have any lost of appetite... so we'll see how it goes from here! Thanks again for the advice!!!!

Teri

Another word of advise...It doesn't hurt too bad to get bit by a ball python. Your'e going to get bit the way you described your feeding routine. Pre-scenting the room is great, I do it, but I also feed in their living enclosure. If you pre-scent the room then stick your hand in the tank to get him out and move him to an eating tub you will eventually get bit. He smells and mouse and sees warm movement = LUNCH! Remember, it doesn't hurt too bad, just warning you. LOL
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Hi Teri
I'm sure glad Oliver ate, that is a big step in the right direction.
I think Jen gave you good advise, most snakes will switch to rats sooner or later. I do have one female that still only takes mice. I have offered rat pups and even gerbils, oh well she is still less than a yr old, so I'll keep trying.
Best of luck with Oliver. CM