Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi ive just recently was given a ball python its about 4 ft long female a pet store gave it to me because it wasnt eating so it was worthless to him ive been trying to get it to eat but it has no interest in eating at all so if ne1 has expierienced this problem or kno what it is please write back to this thread

also the humane society brought it in to the pet store and then the pet store kept it for about a week and then given to me when they got her she was shedding

BPs are famous for not eating, particularly WC individuals. They seem to be able to go for months with no ill effect. Unless the snake is emaciated it should be fine for now. Check to be sure it has good weight - a healthy BP is a plump BP. Keep it warm and give it a hide box. Make sure it has water to drink.

This time of year I've had BPs go off-feed often. This is esp. true of WC snakes that come in from Africa - many femals are gravid and will not eat at all.

If your snake is WC, here's one way to get it eating. Get a breeder pair of gerbils, and plan on keeping them! When you get your first litter of gerbils, offer live hoppers to the snake. Once you get it eating hoppers, graduate it to larger gerbils. I found that gerbils can breed fast enought to out grow the snakes' appetite. Gerbils are natural prey for BPs, and BPs thrive on them. At some point you may want to switch to less expensive mice or rats - thats up to you - but get it eating first.

Also, you might take it to a herp vet and have it checked out for any health problems. Things like mouth rot, URIs, and parasites can all thow a BP off-feed.

Good Luck and Don't Panic!

John
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

Put her in a quiet place with a towel over the tank for a week or even two.I have a wild caught ball Ive had for 4years and even now he is still sensitive and wont eat if disturbed too much or too often.He usually doesnt eat but one rat a month during the winter months though this year seems to be the exception and he still eating fine.I feed at night only cause he wont eat at all during the day.Sometimes I have to put the prekilled rat right inside the door of his hide to get him to take it(I think hes just spoiled and lazy now though)...
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