Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 3 BPs (2 male, 1 fem), all were pretty good eaters, until the female started to get some kind of respritory problem about 5 months ago or so, took some advice on raising temps, lowering humidity for short time and she cleared up in under a week and ate again. She hasn't ate since then, 4 months . All her habbits are normal and she is very healthy, just seems to be fasting (which she has done before, just not quite this long.)

Anyway, not too worried because I had her checked after she got better and she was, and still seems healthy and I know PB's can be picky... but have a few questions.

1. At what point do I worry? Have heard over 6 months is bad sign
2. Have heard gerbils can sometimes get them to eat, but have also been told that the snake can get hooked on them and may not go back to eating mice... which would be very bad for me because I have 3 BP and a Kinksnake and breeding/freezing is very easy with lab mice.
3. Thought that maybe she was fasting because of the winter months, but their tank is maintained near 80F so would the season matter?

Also, I'm pretty sure the living conditions aren't the problem because the 3 BP's share a very large tank (feed them on at a time, with the other 2 removed from tank), and the 2 males are still eating good.

Their tank is 5 1/2 ft L, 3 ft W, 4 ft H
80 deg F
humidity flucuates at times, lately been near 70 %

Read the many care sheets for BP that can be accessed from kingsnake. Just from what you said it seems that maybe there are a couple of things that you could change to make their habitat a bit more relaxed and natural to them. You should never house multiple BP together. This stresses them out. Not to say it hasn't been done without problems but not a good idea. Also, you said the temp is 80. DO they have a hot and cool area? If so I'll bet my life that they all lay ontop of eachother in one corner most or the time. This would be them fighting for the premium temp spots in the enclosure. This can be very stressful.
I am not a pro but this is what all caresheets will tell you.
Who knows it could be just that you have a snake that senses the season changing and went off feed? Good Luck

Off topic but... The care sheet on here gives me horizontal lines in my vision and makes me dizzy, LOL. I guess its the color combination and screen I have. I had to print it out to read the darn thing.

They DO have hot and cold spots, hottest area is high of 88-92, low usually just above 75, sometimes 70 at night (depending on room temp), tank is heated with 3 seperate undertank heaters controlled by thermostats. Tank has 3 seperate large hide spots, all with slightly different temps, but large enough for the snakes to share. However, they sometimes lay together, sometimes dont. Ages range from 1 to 2 years (2 year old is the one fasting). As for housing them together, the 2 males have been together ever since we got them (even in the reptile shop) and the female has been with other snakes all for except maybe 2 months of her life. As for not keeping them together, we talked to 2 different reptile dealers and a vet, all said it was ok as long as they had enough space to spread out if need be, and so far havent had any problems. She still looks and acts very healthy.... even staying active at night. Not dehydrated, and has access to plenty of water (2 large bowls, one in cooler area of tank, one in mid temp area.) We attempt to feed her at least once a week, she sometimes smells the mouse, but generally just seems not intrested. Any other suggestions Would be much appreciated. Also, have read many care sheets and do own a manual. Thanks, for the concern though

I'm not going to make assuptions about your ability to keep your snakes. I've got two in a cage thats a little smaller than yours and they are fine and there are others here that also keep 2 in a cage fine. We are all responsible snake keepers and the snakes are not "stressed" nor are they competing for anything. I would say that three is pushing it though especially mixing sexes. As far as your female's eating is concerned is it possible that she is gravid? You didn't mention the age of your snakes so I don't know if this is a possiblity. A four month fast this time of year is fairly common and really not a huge concern, just keep offering up food on schedule. Keep an eye on her make sure she's not getting unhealthy looking or dehydrated. If she hasn't eaten in a few weeks then maybe she needs to be looked at again.
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Tosha

1.1.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy)
0.1.0 Siberian Husky (Kita)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
5.4.2 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

I really am not trying to act like a know it all because I definatley am not. I just asked these same types of questions when I first started collecting BP. The sad thing is that not everyone is a responsible snake owner. Not saying anyone that has posted for this thread is not responsible but there are plenty of neglected snakes due to lack of knowledge and research. Please read up and don't listen to me or anyone else. Read on Ballpyton.com or one of those sites.

No matter what anyone else says it really is no the best idea to keep multiple BP in the same enclosure. I remember a story posted on here about a girl or guy who lost one of her snakes because they were both looking for the hottest area in the enclosure which just happened to be on a branch and one was strangled accidentally by the other. But its up to you.

-Bill

Bill - I didn't mean to sound like I was attacking your advise, as it is sound advise. However, there are several responsible snake owners that keep their pythons in pairs without causing them undue stress or harm. A python that is improperly cared for is much more stressed than one sharing well established enclosure. The incident that you are referring to was a guy who had 5 balls in a totally inappropriate enclosure with one heat source (in the wrong place). I don't know this posters exact situation and do think that if you are considering more than 2 balls you need to start thinking about a rack system. I just think it's wrong to assume things about someones situation with out first knowing what it is, is just not right. I have a feeling tho that you may be right and the poster may need some more experience (and a manual) for keeping that many snakes. But we are here to help and learn from others, and brag a little too. Sorry I'll step off my soap box now.
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Tosha

1.1.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy)
0.1.0 Siberian Husky (Kita)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
5.4.2 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

Tasha,
Very nice to hear someone who is humble instead of the verbal lashings I read in here. I agree with you. Not enough knowledge about situation and the more information learned the better everyone is. I truely was not trying to come off like I was scolding but maybe it sounded that way. Sorry!
I still have so much to learn, myself. Like right now is my first year breeding and boy am I learning new things everyday as I will for years to come. Extremely exciting though. Can't wait for that day to come to see my first eggs, hatching ect. I attached a pic because I too like to brag a little also even though it has nothing to do with the post.

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Tosha

1.1.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy)
0.1.0 Siberian Husky (Kita)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
5.4.2 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer