Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have several that have hatched out over a month ago but only 2 have eaten more than 1 time. The third just ate the other day, and the fourth has been stubborn.

I gave up with the rat pinkies/fuzzies and broke down and got some mouse hoppers. I have had success in finally getting the 3 that have eaten to eat the hoppers but would like to change them back before it is too late.

Also I have them setup in a shoebox rack, but am wondering what if anything should i provide for a hide for them (in hopes it will relax them a bit)

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Rob
-----
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons (on breeding loan)
0.1 Sub-adult
1.0 Normal ball python
1.1 Bell Line Pastel Ball pythons
1.0 Adult Het Albino Ball Python
1.0 Het Pied Ball Python
1.0 Het Carmel Ball Python
1.0 66% Het pied Ball python
0.2 50% Het albino Ball Pythons

I get the "saucers" that go with small flower pots. The plastic ones are heavy enough to provide security, but easy to clean. The clay ones are perfect, but harder to clean. Get one, and feeding should improve....GL
Joe Pociask Pythons

I like the clay ones because it's easy to knock the hole out a little bigger. I clean them by soaking them in a bucket of hot water with a little bleach. The clay pots soak up water and then help humidify the cage.

What size do you use (How high, what diameter?) and all you do is just make the hole on top a bit larger with no holes on the sides correct?

thanks,
Rob
-----
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons (on breeding loan)
0.1 Sub-adult
1.0 Normal ball python
1.1 Bell Line Pastel Ball pythons
1.0 Adult Het Albino Ball Python
1.0 Het Pied Ball Python
1.0 Het Carmel Ball Python
1.0 66% Het pied Ball python
0.2 50% Het albino Ball Pythons

For hatchling to about 250 grams I use a pot about 4" in diameter and 3 & 1/2'” to 4 & ¼” height. The only hole is the widened drain hole (I use a hammer to tap it out and then a file to smooth the edges). I put the pot upside down and after showing the new hatchlings the opening on top once or twice they know how to find it. It gives them a safe perch to confidently strike down at live prey from.

It's a little harder to find clay hides for bigger animals that will fit in a sweater box. Occasionally I've found a rounded pot (for a hanging basket) that can work for balls up to 800 grams or so and still fit in a sweater box. With higher clearance cages I've even used clay pots for adults, some pots so big that they can only be partially soaked in a 5 gallon bucket. With a cage like a Neodesha a soaked clay pot can really help the humidity and I think they like the raised vantage to hunt from.

I have problem feeders whether I use a hide or not. And most of my problem feeders are females. So far, they just feed when they want to. Although, I have just two left from this year that are problem feeders - yes, females - and I added a hide to both. We'll see.
-----
Jay A. Martin

hides or not, it seems to make no difference as long as the cage is small enough.

All but 1 of my girls (out of 34) eat great, but 2 out of the 3 males I have are picky feeders. I'll keep my odds...LOL.
-----
Chad Bachman

I use a ceramic candle holder I got at the local Dollar Tree. I have two small baby balls and they love them. Same as the clay pot, only I don't have to cut out a hole for them.

They are called "tea light burners". The are about 5" high and have an oval shaped hole in the back of them. The top has a concave surface for the scented wax; the kind that look like flowers. (A small tea light candle is supposed to go in the bottom and melt the wax on top to emit the scent.)

Since the top is wider than the bottom, I turn them upside down so the little guys don't tip them over trying to escape!

They clean just as easily as a clay pot and there are no rough edges to worry about. Plus, they are only a dollar!

Good luck!
-----
...got balls?

graycat

Letting me live here:
2.2 normals
0.1 pie ball
1.0 hetpied
0.1 Suriname
? Common snapping turtle
? Alligator snapping turtle
1 Guinea pig
2 gold fish (turtle survivors)
3 pet rats and
3 cats
Oh yeah, and 3 children!

My set up.......in shoe box.

-----
RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

Rick,

What are those hides made of?

Plastic deli cups?

thanks,
Rob
-----
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons (on breeding loan)
0.1 Sub-adult
1.0 Normal ball python
1.1 Bell Line Pastel Ball pythons
1.0 Adult Het Albino Ball Python
1.0 Het Pied Ball Python
1.0 Het Carmel Ball Python
1.0 66% Het pied Ball python
0.2 50% Het albino Ball Pythons

yes 8 oz I just cut an opening for them.....the balls look like little turtles!!!!!
-----
RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

Tip#1: Vary the size of the offering...Unlike alot of folks, I get my babies started on mice then switch to rats. I've found it very easy to switch, in most cases. Anyway, just about every clutch I'll have a bay or two that will not start on hopper mice...They appear to be intimidated by something that moves so quickly. I've found that a "crawler mouse" (a very large fuzzy that has started to crawl aound a bit, but not nearly as active as a hopper) is great for these babies. I have one girl from this year that still refuses hoppers, but pounds the crawler sized mice. I have to feed her three at a time, but she eats. I'll transition her to prekilled hopper mice, then weaned rats soon.

Tip#2: I have had baby balls that show a strong preference toward colored mice for their first few meals. I had one that always ate black or brown mice, and never ate white ones. I guess there' more of a visual cue in baby BP feeding that I first thought.

It's been 33 days since my first clutch hatched.

1 Female has eaten 3 times.
1 Female ate for the first time yesterday
1 Female ate for the first time yesterday

1 Female still has not eaten of course its the smallest female in the batch so I am really starting to worry.

Also the 2 males still have not eaten.

I would say I have 1 for sure on a steady feeding schedule getting BIG fast, the other 2 females just ate so I don't know what there story is yet.

The other 3 snakes have me losing sleep.