Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I finally got a ball, after about a year of research and thinking. I just got one 3 weeks ago, and he still hasn't eaten for me. Kilby is at 92 on warm end, low 80's on cool. Running at about 80% humidity plus a water bowl, and on cypress mulch. 2 good hides, one cool one warm plus another couple nooks to hide in. Tried at night, and even leaving it over night. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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0.2 Leopard Geckos (Fire and Mello)
0.0.1 Blue Tongue Skink (Smoot)

We need a little more info to help you. Is Kilby a hatchling, sub adult or older? Are you offering live, F/T, F/k ? How much are you handling him, has he been able to settle in yet?
CM

If you got him from a breeder... or petco...

If he came from a breeder- He's probably used to a tub... not a tank thats so open....

if he came from petco/similar--- he could be an import and you could be SOL to put it blatantly... its hit or miss with the imports... we get a lot of petco babies thru the rescue that won't eat or aren't shedding and ppl. are afraid to kill them so they bring them here, and i get them hooked up with either a breeder or they can adopt a slightly older- in better shape- snake.... but it totally depends on where the snake came from...

Also- you said you'd had him for 3 weeks.... in 3 weeks i would have offered food once... at the 2 week mark... they need time to 'settle in' without handling, etc- so they feel secure and safe enough to eat and not be 'attacked' while eating- when they are most vulnerable in the wild... make sense?

anywho... more info and we can give loads of other suggestions...

~Beth
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Until there are none, Rescue One! Get ready to welcome the new and improved Oklahoma Animal Rescue Group -- Just a few weeks away from getting our 501c3 status!!!!!

Thanks for all the quick responses. I am offering f/t, I have tried a hopper mouse but I think maybe a rat pup would be better. I got him at NERD, those people are great. He is a hatchling-ish, I'd peg Kilby at about 3 months old. I think he's settled in pretty well, I've only handled him about 4 times in the 3 weeks. And he did come from a rack system, maybe that's it. But he spends most of his time in the open, he goes into one of his hides sporadically. Maybe I just don't know how to wiggle the worm?
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0.2 Leopard Geckos (Fire and Mello)
0.0.1 Blue Tongue Skink (Smoot)

Rats and mice smell completely different, and your first step would be to determine if NERD was feeding rats OR mice. You can't just bop between the two and expect success, you want to continue with the pattern that is already established.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

O see how long it took me to answer this 3 more post and We have a clue to what it could have been eating. Looks like You'll get it figured out.

Van
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Forever Trust in what we are,and nothing else Matters

Yea,that and what are You tring to feed him/Her. Is it live? If not don't leave it in over night. They do get sick of trying to be fed everyday if thats what You maybe doing. IDK ,just gusseing.

Keep all food away from Him or Her for a week, then try one Hopper Mouse if he's /or she's a small Ball Python. If You were using a Mouse,then try a Rat fuzzy or pup. And If You were feeding it Frozen thawed,then try live.!! If You follow that, what I just wrote. I bet it will eat..

I'm not trying to be rude just quik and to the point. This Question gets asked every few days... I'm taken a Poke..lol that sometimes People don't even want to reply to this Question.

This Question and Answer should have a " Click here if Your snake woun't eat" Step One, Click here for step Two.. I'm just playing around, But do that above and see what happens. I think it will work well for You and You new Ball Python

Van

http://www.myspace.com/gregvanzweden

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Forever Trust in what we are,and nothing else Matters

Thanks for the help, it has given lots of ideas.
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0.2 Leopard Geckos (Fire and Mello)
0.0.1 Blue Tongue Skink (Smoot)
1.0 Ball python (Kilby)