Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought my first baby ball python 3 weeks ago.. This wednesday was my third attempt at feeding him and he just wont eat... I was told after the first week of him not eating to not handle him as it may be causing him more stress than what he is going through due to being introduced to his new home.. So i havent handled him in about 9 days.. On the second week of him not eating I was told that it could take up to six weeks for a baby ball python to start eating in its new home.. So this wednesday (5/25) was the third week that he didnt eat.. This is the first python i have ever owned so i really have no idea as to what i might be able to do... Is my snake sick? should i try feeding him pinkies instead of hoppers? Or i maybe im just overreacting.. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks in advance guys.

have you triple checked the temps... does he have a good hide box?

Honestly... just keep trying, it might take a couple more weeks, or more!

give hide.....upside down deli cup.....with open end. try dark hopper mouse at dusk.
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
Proud sponsor of this forum

ya he has a nice hide spot with enough room.. the cage is usually between 85-95

Why a dark hopper mouse and not a white one? Do you actualy think snakes can tell colors! I think not...

try it?
I did!
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
Proud sponsor of this forum

Over the years I have had quite a few balls that have had preferences for certain colored food items. Also darker colored mice are closer looking to their natural prey items.
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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 Pool skimmer rescues for this season

experimented with the different colors. In fact, one chose color even over scent rodent type.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Well, your snake isn't eating... everyone here has babies that do... maybe try their advice instead of scoffing??? Its actually quite common for ball pythons to have a preference for darker food items.

Also, you said he has a good hide box with plenty of room... Get him a smaller one. And between 85 and 95 might be a touch too warm. Make sure there's a good gradient, with two TIGHT hide boxes, one on each side.

This is a scared baby, make sure he feels safe and comfortable, and hopefully he'll eat for you.

scoffing? what are you talking about? you obviously have a reading problem because i didnt 'scoff' at anybody or give anybody an attitude...

moving on... i dropped the temperature to 80-85 and got him a smaller hide, gunna try another run at feeding him tomarrow.. ill be sure to let you all know how it goes and thanks for all the pointers

Hey,

I just went back and reread all the posts, and determined that an apology was necessary... I confused you with someone else, and for that I'm sorry...

The scoffing I was talking about was posted by medusah:
"Why a dark hopper mouse and not a white one? Do you actualy think snakes can tell colors! I think not..."

Sorry again, and I hope your snake does better in the new hide!!!

thats ok we're all human.. and thanks for your advice.. ill be sure to let you all know how the feeding goes tommarow with the adjusted temperature and new hide

Personally, I would not drop the temps that low. Try one thing at a time instead of making multiple changes. I would use a small hide that he can barely squeeze into. For baby newborn ball pythons I like to use a 4" terra cotta flowerpot saucer placed upside down and with an opening cut in the side (just big enough for him to get in and out of) It's tight and dark, two things that seem to help.

Mark

>>thats ok we're all human.. and thanks for your advice.. ill be sure to let you all know how the feeding goes tommarow with the adjusted temperature and new hide

NP
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www.trueimagereptiles.com

Works every time...........!

Jared Horenstein

I HAVE HAD A HIDE BOX SINCE DAY 1!

OK your first ball python lesson is that patience is more than a virtue it's a necessity! Your snake will eat, it will just take some time. Limit the handling, offer him a meal once a week at dusk and wait. Does he have a small hide, relatively the same size as he is when he is curled up in a ball (most small hides are too big for hatchlings) they should have a snug fit. If not, get him a deli cup or something that he almost completely fills up, this will make him feel nice and secure. Put the snake and his small hide in a small box, add mouse cover it up and wait. I don't use hoppers, they tend to be a bit hyper for the hesitant eaters, adult mice or rat pups usually work pretty well for this and by putting them in a small box together it keeps the snake from having to case down the mouse and keeps him within a good range to peek the snakes interest. I have a couple of hatchlings I have had for a couple of months that have just recently eaten, ironically they refused all attempts with live but eat frozen thawed like candy. I have one snake that will only eat in the dark, some that won't touch mice, some that wont touch rats, some live, some F/T. It's just something that you have to play around with. Personally - I have found that snakes that have been trained to hide eat are my worst feeders as adults, maybe just a coincidence maybe not. In the mean time, keep plenty of clean water available and keep an eye out, if he starts to get really lethargic, then you may have to assist feed him, but you still have pleanty of time to get him to eat. Keep trying. And remember, this is just the beginning, there will be hundreds more refused meals in this guys future!!!!

Good Luck!
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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 Pool skimmer rescues for this season