Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I have had my baby purple albino retic for about 7 weeks now. He has only eaten twice but anyway I ordered him from outback reptiles...it was the only one they had. At fiorst he was setup in a nice 55 gallon tank weith the works. But because of feeding issues I had to downgrade him to a 10 gallon tank. 2 hides and water. I use aspen bedding...the hot side is between 90-100 but always warm to the touch never hgot . Its uth so I know its safe I alwaysd check it and its voered with wood and bedding on the bottom so it doesnt heat the bottom of the tank directly. Anyway the cambients are approx.78-85. So everything seems to be perfect. When handled since I got him he has calmed down alotr he was very agrressiv eand snappy. Now onjce hes out of the cage hes pretty calm. But its very frustarting because I know I shouldnt hold him at all until he steadily feeds. So imt rying not to, I just dont want him to get mean again So I offer food about evbery 5 days I have tried mice and rat pups. live. He is usually just very defensive of it. I tried everytihng he even one time killed and didnt eat. So last night he ate and so he did 2 weeks ago too. I left the mouse in overnight and it was gone in morning. But the last time he ate I thought thgat was it and he would be a good eater. My question is...I should keep not handling him? and I have been spraying him everyday whicgh I havent been doing before does the huimidity affect him at all with feeding?>? He did a shed for me perectly last month im sure hes about to again soon so i was gonna wait until after to offer food again. But will he always be a problem feeding?> once he steadily eats 3 or 4 times ill move him back into the bigger cage but will he continue to feed well, or will it always be a picky situation?> I am stumped i never had a feeding problem with any of my past burms or tics I dont know what I could be doiung wrong. any input is greatly appreciated...thanks

Mike

You don't mention whether or not you're feeding live or killed food, and if the latter, fresh or frozen thawed. The fact he's eating at all, even if seemingly sparingly is promising. Try fresh killed if you've been putting in a live mouse.. the snake may be intimidated at the outset. It sounds like you have sufficient temperature gradients for it to avail itself to. Don't handle it before introduction of food, and sparingly for a few days afterward; You don't want to induce regurgitation! If a farm store is available try to obtain a baby chick or quail chick. Birds are sometimes the food of choice for tropical pythons. Using a hemostat or similer to take a quick peek in the mouth to look for irregular colors indicating infection might be a good idea but hold off unless it starts refusing altogether. I'm presuming it's not due to shed at any moment... That said I have animals that take food with eyes "blue" as the letterhead type at the top of this page! Good luck...