Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a 2yr old male ball python, i've had it for a couple days now and the store claimed to feed it a couple days after I got it. they also gave me a mouse and a small rat because it needs to transition to the small rat. I tried to feed it today, but it didnt not want to eat. is this a bad thing or does the snake just need more time to adjust to the new environment?

phill

my ball python didnt eat for 7 months when i got her!!!! so give him some time and he'll come around

Give it some time to settle. Wait a week or 2 before feeding or handling. Also need to make sure your setup is correct (temps on both sides, proper size & number of hides, placement of cage,etc) as improper setup can lead to stress, not eating and illness. Many BPs tend to go off feed this time of year, but w/o knowing if your setup is right or if he's not eating due to needing time to settle - it's kind of early/difficult to pinpoint the reason he's not eating for you.
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My Album

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

in terms of setup i have a 20 gal tank, a heat pad on one side thats at about 90 degrees in the half log, mulch bottom stuff, and a water bowl. im gonna try feeding again on thursday.

thanks for the advice.

phil

Sounds good. You should also have a hide on the cool side and make sure temps over there are 80-85. Be sure your night temps don't drop below 75 and that you're measuring surface temps above the heat pad - not air temps. The hides should be snug - not too big.

Probably just needs to settle in. It took my BP a few weeks to eat. I tried once a week until he ate. He was used to get live at the petstore and I was trying FT. I later learned I wasn't getting the mouse hot enough (he will only take if 108 degrees or higher).

Best of luck - have you named your BP?
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My Album

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

well he seemed to have hated the half log i bought so i made a little shelter out of a kleenex box.he crawled right in and loves it now. also i've noticed some white spots on his scales? is that alright?

oh and i named him lonestar(im from texas and i go to school in NY, it was only appropiate)

phill

Love the name!

You know, my BP never uses his half log either. But then again he has 4 hides to choose from so maybe its just his least favorite.

Not sure about the white spots. Hopefully someone else will answer. If noone does, you may want to create another post on the subject so that it is at the top of the forum and people are more likely to see it. If you have pics of the spots to post, and people will most likely ask about the parameters of your tank - as I said before many illnesses in snakes can someone be traced back to improper husbandry. So make sure you have the 2 hides, the right temps (90warm side, 80-85 cool side), proper substrate and are measuring humidity and temperature correctly, etc.
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My Album

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"