Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok so i got my first ball python yesterday. she is a sweetheart

here is some info on her
she was born 6-20-08 and she had problems eating out of the egg she only ate 10 times in all of 2008 but she has eaten better in 09 and has eaten 5 times so far in 2009 she is 9 months old and weighs 122g as of yesterday. is that ok for her or is that really small for a 9 month old? she is a normal but she has golden sides so the breeder sold her as a hi-yellow sided so i got her for $100.

here are some pics of her i took on the way home from the show yesterday.

as you can see she has golden sides she looks amazing. i will get better pics of her later but she is getting used to her new home. by the way her dad was a spider ball

any input or help at all would be amazing!!!!

thanks
-Brett

$100 is alot for a normal ball python, especially one that isn't eating consistently. There is also no difference between a spider sibling than any other normal ball python.

Once she has time to setting in her new home, she should start eating regularly, once a week or once every 5 days appropriate sized rats. Describe your setup, so we can help you make sure she has the best home.
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PHLdyPayne

get her eating on a schedule before working on taming ie, handling. Do not hold her for 6-8 weeks

Hate to say it but I think you got took -- a problem feeder normal female shouldn't be $100 -- and unless you have experience with problem feeders you probably should have opted for another snake.

I do hope that you're able to get her established and feeding and wish you the best of luck with your new addition.
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Tosha
JET Pythons
Toshas Blog

let her settle into her new home, most important that she feel secure and safe. nice heat gradation for her to choose from. hide box for extra comfort and security. as mentioned, do not handle her, let her relax.

purchase the barkers "ball python manual", ask as many questions here as you need. she is beautiful regardless if she was priced correctly or not. at this point that is a non issue. her needs are what matter now.

welcome to the forum and please do not be shy asking advice. plenty of good people here with lots of good free advice and alot of experience. you came to the right place.

PS; if you have not already, purchase the manual i mentioned, worth every penny.
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Proud supporter of Kingsnake.com
“We stand together or we fall apart”

Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid"
David Coverdale

ya now i feel like i got ripped off because she is still really really small apparently i asked this on another form and they said theres are like 3 or 4 times my size.

I realize your dilemma, not nice of anyone to take advantage of you like that.

Can you contact the breeder you purchased from? Might be worth while to state your case. There are allot of very reputable, honest, breeders that would be very helpful assisting you with future purchases and they are more than willing to speak with you and help you in any way.

Please keep us updated with your situation. I hope she starts feeding and proves to be an asset to you and your collection.

Sincerely, Kyle

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Proud supporter of Kingsnake.com
“We stand together or we fall apart”

Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid"
David Coverdale

ya i can the next reptile show he is gonna be at is april 4th so if she doesnt eat at least once hopefully more im gonna have to bring her back and look for another cool lookin one that is eating alot better!

keep in mind that they do go off feed at times and once she adjust to her new surroundings she could be just fine. dont give up on her quickly. best of luck to you and again please keep us updated.
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Proud supporter of Kingsnake.com
“We stand together or we fall apart”

Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid"
David Coverdale

If you decide to get a new animal, I can only hope that you WON'T give your business to the same dealer that gave you such a poor animal choice and service.

Go with a better breeder, someone with an outstanding reputation, and an animal that is spectacular in every way. They are available everywhere, including here on the classifieds, there is no reason for you to settle for an "attention" animal.

Best of luck.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

im not gonna get another one if i can get her to eat 2 times before the next show. im gonna feed her for the first time tomorrow. i just feel like i was taken advantage of because of the non eating, the fact i got upcharged cause of the color and of her size.

i just hope he will give me my $$$ back instead of trying to give me another one of his snakes

Hi,

I bought a ball python juvenile at a pet store and they fed it right in front of me. Then I took it home and it ate great all summer long. She is an 07 ball python and she stops eating every winter. She actually ate for the first time last night which has been about three months ago. Now she will eat once every 5 days until about November. She weighs about 500 grams. The funny thing is that snake is what has got me into breeding and has given me a monster love of ball pythons now. I hope one day she will make a good weight so I can breed her with a nice Dominant or Co dominant male. I honestly think if you call the breeder they should work something out. I am sure they did not know it would be a finicky eater. And the 100.00 dollar part was just your inexperience and if that is the biggest rip off you ever encounter with ball python breeders consider your self lucky.

Best of luck,
Bill

PS: Embrace the normal ball; they need love too.

I purchased both the VPI and NERD's ball python manuals, they are both great! The VPI is magnificently detailed (like a BP textbook!), and the NERD is more basic and "down to earth", in my opinion. Both have GREAT PICS too! Either one should make you a greater fan of ball pythons.

All of us have that first one,,,,,,, and your first one is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Even if it's a normal. You should keep her!

You got all the help you need here,,,,, all you have to do is listen. (And think!)

TTYL
Chrysa

ok well how can i get her on a consistant feeding schedule because she is 9 months old and is really really small for her age. and will she always be a smaller snake now because she is sooo small now?

Hi,

Here is what will work. Feed at night and in total darkness if you can. Use like some cell phone light or some black or red light for background lighting. Take some news paper sheets and crumble them up into little balls and cover the entire surface area of your tank or tub. Then make sure your hot spot is about 90 degrees and the cold side is at least 75 degrees but 80 to 82 is the most efficient on the cold end. If you are using frozen mice or rats make sure they are heated so if you used an infer red temp gun they would read about 92 degrees. If no temp gun make sure they are warm to the touch. If they are not warmed hot enough the snake will not eat them. That is a couple tips that have worked great for me. I hope it works for you too. Good luck.

Bill

There is no magic here. She will eat when she does.
As long as you have a proper set-up, and you offer her food weekly, she will come around.
Because she is small, start off with live smaller mice. Get her fatter. Then try offering her/him dethawed in a simmilar manner, in which you offered live.
If she doesn't eat for you in the next couple months, educate yourself on how to "assist feed". Know that assist feeding, while making you feel better, is not an option unless there is no other option.

I wouldn't feel bad if I were you about the money you spent, simply because if she makes you happy; she's worth every penny. You never know, she could turn into a beautiful adult. She is still young enough to have not seriously stunted her growth. But if she's been sick in the past, she may be stunted. I don't think it would be easy to tell at this point if she will always be smaller.

Patience will tell.

ok well on my way home from work i picked up a mouse from petco and i tried feeding her she struck at it right away and killed it but it took her a while to eat it because she kept trying to take it from the middle of the mouse or from the butt haha but she got it down and all so thats a good sign! i did take pics of it too i will post them up when i can. but i should feed her again in 5 days right?

Stick to feeding once a week, you'll be fine. Every Thursday, every Saturday, whatever day you choose for feeding, that is fine, and certainly easier than some mathematical calculation for every 5 days : )
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

I just reviewed the "updated" Ball Python Manual by AVS. Horrible.

Author credits to Dave Barker, Doc Klingenburg and Phillipe, but holy cow, that book is full of horrible, backwards, and out of date information from 20 years ago. I refuse to believe any of the authors actually had a hand in "updating" it.

I would recommend either the small McCurley book (about $11), the big McCurley book, or the best book available, the Barker/VPI Ball Python book at $80. All available here on the classifieds.

Colette Sutherland has a small inexpensive Ball Python "manual" book coming out shortly as well. I got to see the preview of that one and it is also excellent.

But the AVS Ball Python Manual? Bad, really really bad.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

awwwwwwwwwww, cmon, i doubt the barkers would have their name on it if it were bad, they are aware of the text in the book and they have their names on it, i mentioned it because it is an inexpensive book that is available and more than likely people would purchase a small book just to get started, of course the more expensive Barker book is better by far.
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Proud supporter of Kingsnake.com
“We stand together or we fall apart”

Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid"
David Coverdale

ooooooooooooooooooooops, "updated?" i was not aware of a new version of the book, i can not comment on it, have not read it, but i will take your word for it,
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Proud supporter of Kingsnake.com
“We stand together or we fall apart”

Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid"
David Coverdale

I had three pages of notes on all the junk in the book. It was one of the worst I have ever read.

Absolutely, not everyone wants to buy at $60-$80 Ball python book (although I recommend the Barker and NERD books VERY highly, must haves). But McCurley's Ball Pythons in Captivity- Pro Breeders Series, is just over 10 bucks, and is an excellent, up to date husbandry reference.

The new Sutherland book is even better, can't wait to have that available, and it should fall in the same price range.

As for the AVS Ball manual, for example, they suggest fiberglass caging for your Ball python, including this popular manufacturer here, and show pics of the Neodsha cages. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN IN BUSINESS IN YEARS!!!!! Of course there is no mention of any modern, actually in business, cage manufacturers, because most of the info in the book is from 1989, it seems. Crazy.

The book talks about how most of the Balls on the market are wild caught juvies and sub adults, also out of date by at least a decade!

If you read the book for actual husbandry detail, you will roll your eyes. It even has an underweight skinny albino ball python on the cover.

Really. Wow. Just wow : )
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

yep, i have not seen that new version which sounds like a total waste of time, thanks for the update,

glad to know the sutherlands have a new book coming out, i have all of the current books except kevins paperback book, yes i need a copy of that also, have to support the community plus it sounds like a good book.

thanks again,

PS: happy UPS shipping!
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Proud supporter of Kingsnake.com
“We stand together or we fall apart”

Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid"
David Coverdale

Stress is often the main cause for non-consistent or problem feeders. Please describe your set up for her. Maybe you can provide her with a better home, and therefore get her to eat great for you.

Always willing to help, PM me if you have any questions
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

you may have a male there. they are more finicky and they eat far less. female babies generally eat very well if housing setups are good.

......what the hell is a "hi-yellow sided " ball python? I want to know this "dealers" name and contact info to tell him he's a liar and an a-hole. Seriously. It would make me feel so much better.
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"What are you afraid of? What ever it is, it's here. That and things your little irrational mind couldn't even dream of."

I would switch her to small Rat pups scented with live mice NOW not later, doing so will help her put on more weight. I would try this before I worried about how big she is gonna get if you can get her to take them . . . . I posted a great article about non feeding snakes at the top of this forum. She is a good looking normal IMHO.
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1.0 het pied
1.0 sunrise (unproven ball python morph)
1.0 pastel
1.0 nerd hypo
1.0 spider Het hypo
0.5 het nerd hypo
0.3 poss het nerd hypo
0.1 poss Het albino
0.1 het pied
0.5 Breeder normals
0.1 black pastel (unproven)
0.1 Tiger (unproven)
0.1 mojave (best looking one ever! thanks Jeff Luman)
0.1 pastel Het ghost
0.1 red tail boa over 8ft
1.0 snow corn
0.1 albino Het snow corn (laying in 7 days) Laid 14!
0.1 albino Het snow corn
2.0 Reed frogs
2.2 felines aka boa food ;o
And I am not gonna count all those rats . . .

Brian H
Brianhettinger@hotmail.com