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help; juvenile BP traumatized by mice

ginevive Dec 13, 2003 03:41 PM

I need some help. A local pet store has a ball python that will not eat. They have only tried mice, both live and fresh-killed, but to no avail. I suggested trying hamsters, but they do not have any at this time, just mice.
I suspect that a live mouse may have bitten this BP during feeding, for she shies away from the feeder mice whether live or dead, and balls up when they're offered. Maybe the scent has traumatized her?
Temps and humidity are all great, and she shed well, three weeks ago. her last accepted meal was before the shed, and she defecated a few days ago.
BUT my main concern is that she is so young and still growing. She is only about a foot and a half long. I don't know her age, because I know nothing of her former feeding record, and little eating could cause her to be smaller than she should be, right?
Any advice, please help! I am thinking of just buying a dwarf hamster from another shop, knocking it dead and feeding that.
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*~Ginevive~*

Replies (2)

kevintat2 Dec 13, 2003 04:00 PM

Have you tried pinkies or crawlers? If that doesn't work try a gerbal. Make sure the food item isn't to large, and is intimidating the snake. Sometimes balls stop eating for long periods of time.

jamison Dec 13, 2003 07:20 PM

i second the gerbils....they are natural prey items.

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