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12" BP not eating...please help

gtpalex Jul 25, 2006 07:33 AM

Hi all,

I have a 12" ball python (approx. 3 mos old we think) who has so far refused to eat. I am not into live feeding and would like to avoid it at all costs. I've tried offering frozen fuzzies about 6 times now, and he shows absolutely no interest. I've tried both feeding him in his enclosure with the lights off, and the old shoebox in the closet, to no avail.

I understand that most of you will likely say it's hopeless and I need to use live, but what I'm trying to do is see if anyone has any tips. I also have a sub-adult who readily takes frozen ex-breeders.

Any help is appreciated.

Replies (4)

Christy Talbert Jul 25, 2006 08:06 AM

Hi there,

If your bp is indeed a hatchling that has not eaten for three months, you are in a life/death situation. Forget frozen - he's gonna die if you don't feed him.

If you recently got him and know he has eaten since hatching, how has it been since he has not eaten? If it's been over six weeks, I still think he needs food and you should offer him live.

"Assist feeding" is your other alternative, however it's very stressful on the snake (especially if you do not know what you are doing). It's the wrong choice, unless he refuses to take anything pre-killed or live. I also don't see assist feeding as helpful to getting him on a p/k regimen, if anything it may make him less likely to take p/k on his own.

You just have to understand that in spite of all the great pre-killed talk you hear on this forum, balls are wired to hunt and kill live prey. Older snakes can often be switched to prekilled , but babies are running on pure instinct and for the most part they want what they want - which is live, hopping, breathing, prey!

Buy a small hopper mouse or large fuzzy, put your snake in a dark shoebox with it and leave both alone for a few hours.

I know this is not the advice you wanted, but, it's the best thing for your snake :-P. And, that's the point, isn't it?

How long has it been since you had him?

Thanks,

Christy.

PS, as you can see by the photo, feeding p/k has never worked well for me.

pfan151 Jul 25, 2006 11:02 AM

If your snake has never had a meal at 3 months old you are getting close to the point of no return. Adult balls can go many many months without food but not hatchlings. Feed him live or he will die. Once he is eating and has put on some weight you can try to switch him to FT if you want to. If he refuses live I would assist feed him at this point. It is not that hard, and I don't believe it is too stressful on them. If he has never eaten since hatching you do not have a lot of time left.
-----
John Vandegrift

dnreptiles Jul 25, 2006 08:52 AM

I think alot of us are against live feeding but sometimes its a must. Try offering a rat pup or something the right size. His intrest may just need to be "sparked".

Good luck!
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Dave

www.DNReptiles.com
Myspace/DNReptiles
Myspace/blog

gtpalex Jul 25, 2006 12:25 PM

I did forget to make this clear: I bought him at a herp show a month ago, so he was already 3 months approx. at that time. They said he'd been taking fuzzies, not sure live or frozen.

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