Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two wild caught females balls python. I can't get tyhem to eat. I have tried live and dead. any ideas? and does any one can tell me how to lock up a male and a female or do they do it on there own? thanks

These questions scare me dude. It sounds like your are heading towards force feeding and forced intercourse. Watch out for PETA!

Ok, seriously, you cannot force snakes to copulate. They will just do it or not do it, on their own.

As for getting wild caught balls to eat, well you have chosen a hard row to hoe. If you keep them in seperate cages that are out of the way so there isn't someone walking by all the time, with proper heat, humidty, fresh water, give them a hide box and leave them alone for a few to several days and then drop a small live rat in the cage in the evening when it is dark, they may eat. You can also try mice and gerbils but gerbils are illegal in some areas and are quite expensive in comparison to rats and mice.

There is a lot more information on the web about both of your questions. They are typically things that a more experienced person would be trying.

Good luck with your snakes.

personally i am a member of peta AND a vegan(*gasp!)lol, but all that aside....
i have a male ball that i got from the hamburg show a few months back. i was told he was feeding but i know i was lied to now. first his left eye clouded over for about two months and i thought he went blind he refused to eat any sized mice live or frozen/thawed. i noticed two ticks on him and pulled them off(obviously he was wild caught, also not what i was told) after i removed them he shed for me but still hasnt eaten. i have never had to force feed a snake only lizards, help. any ideas would be appreciated. btw, he is in an enclosure with 5 wood sides and a clear front opening door. he is definately secure enough.
thanks
icy
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1.0.0 bearded dragon
1.1.0 green iguana
0.0.1 black and gold tegu
1.0.0 knight anole
0.1.0 green anole
1.1.0 golden gecko
1.0.0 ball python
0.0.5 oriental firebellied toad
0.0.1 green treefrog
0.0.1 barking treefrog
0.0.1 cuban masked treefrog
0.0.1 gray treefrog
0.1.0 rat snake
0.1.0 eastern kingsnake

Scrotbelly's bout got it covered. If they're new leave em alone for a week or two, then try a small rat or large mouse at night. I've heard of WCs going months, up to a year, without feeding. Only bother them to change the bedding or the water. Don't try to feed to often, only once every week or two. If you don't have some way to weigh them, get a scale. As long as they're not loosing alot of weight you should be fine. Good luck.

Quig

This worked for me, and I've gotten a few e-mails saying it worked for others too~ see link below~

BUT~ WC are difficult to work with. When I say it worked for me~ well~ it worked on MOST of those girls right away. The last hold out, Female # 37, did not feed for the first time until January 31, 2005 (thats 16 months in my care without feeding~ I keep very good records~ I'm SURE of the dates) then she did not feed again until June of 05' (another 4 months) since then she has been pounding live mice for the last couple months (FINALLY).
Feeding WC Balls

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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

I have to tell you that Cheryl is correct. I tried this system she uses with 4 WC females in my care. 3 had not eaten for a year!!!! one for about 5 months. They all refused every trick I tried and then I found Cheryl's method.

One of the females was too far gone and died without eating. The other three fed within a week and have been eating regularly ever since.

I tip my hat to Ralph and Cheryl for informing us of this method.

Ben

I've used that method on some WC rescues that have come my way and it works beautifully. I have the link bookmarked and pass it on quite often!

Thanks Cheryl and Ralph!
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

You're not trying to feed him tofu shaped like a rat are you? Just kidding Herpgirl ;o)

I hope that the info and link provided above helps you save him.

If you remember the name of the vendor that you bought him from, post a message on the BOI to help warn others.

Youre an animal but wont eat or drink anything from another animal cause you think its wrong!

Yet you keep an animal that eats animals.....not only that, but you buy the animals to feed it!

I could fill a page on how and why that doesnt make any sense, but to each his own.

Good luck with all that!

I know at least 13 people I will call and tell them this story right now!