First time Ball Python Owner

[TomC]

I got my first snake ever Tuesday. I have done hours of research here, and other places and I think I have everything set up pretty well. My python is about 14" and its largest diameter is about the size of a bottle cap on a pop bottle, I am not sure of the weight will get some scales tonight. I got it at a local pet store and they gave me its feeding records for the last 2 weeks and it has not eaten anything and they were attempting to feed frozen thawed. On Sunday I will have had it for 5 days and I have placed it in the computer room and have pretty much left it alone. I have only handled it one time and I did one water change. I was planning to try a feeding this Sunday even thought I have only had her for 5 days because it has been 7 days since food has been offered to her. Is that too soon? I was also thinking with going with a small jumper mouse because I think that would be the appropriate size. I have wanted to own a snake for years but this is my first so any advice would be appreciated.

[Stubean15]

7 days is a pretty normal length between meals.. but since sunday will only be 5 days in a new environment he may refuse but its not too big of a deal.. so offer it and if he takes it good if not dont sweat it..

and im not sure what you meant.. do you mean he didnt eat anything for 2 weeks prior to you bringing him home?

[steveboos]

Well if the snake didn't eat for the pet store, it's not going to eat for you untill it's COMPLETELY safe and secure in its home. I wouldn't even attempt yet, you might just stress him/her out even more. I would honestly just make sure husbandry is correct and then just wait a little longer before trying. People who get snakes who eat great wont even try to feed the new arrival for a week, so if yours wasn't eating for them, it's not going to eat right now for you.

Just make sure your enlcosure is nice and small and you have all the temps and humidity down pat, then you can start worrying about feeding.

[seeya205]

I would offer but I doubt he will take it! If he doesn't take it then wait another week without bothering him and try again! They can go a long time without eating so don't worry if it take a couple weeks! All you can do is make sure the temps and humidity is great! Also make sure he has a tight fitting hide, one on the cool side and same on the warm side! My first ball took 3 weeks to eat! Good luck!

[grim reaper in NY]

First of all Tom, welcome to the site. I'm sure you've already seen from the surfing and research you've done that these animals are very unique and each have their own personalities and dispositions.
With that being said, and with what has been said here already, don't worry about your pet if she doesn't start chowing down right off the bat. You have to remember your new pet hasn't exactly had a safe and secure start in life. It's going to have to get used to it's new surroundings and the less stress you induce on it, the sooner he or she will feel safe and secure in it's new environment. One thing you will learn with these pets is patience. They will try your patience any chance they can, but that's half the fun of owning a python.
One thing to make sure of is that where you have your snale now is pretty much where it will be kept. I have found that even moving my snakes from one room to another or even to another part of the same room can stress them enough so they won't eat right off.
Again, welcome to the siter. We look forward to seeing pics of your new pet too! There's a great group of people here and we hope you enjoy your stay and more importantly, that you enjoy your new pet.

[Dundee]

Id wait more than 5 days balls can be very picky eaters so dont worry. A baby i just got recently has gave me trouble eating but now shes comfterble and i got her issues adressed and shes been eating good. I might half to be paitent with her like the other night she showed intrest in her f/t food but never struck but just kept on moving it around and gave her a little bump on the nose with it and she ate it, If they dont eat it can be agravating just give them time and they will eat for you. Just try and handle as less as possible until your snake starts eating good for you. Then your snake make eat right off. I got a adult ball after i adopted him nobody knew when the last time he been feed was (was droped off at the pet store) offered him a small rat a week later and he ate it. Stick with your little ball and its very rewarding watching them grow.

[don15681]

Hi tom, congrats on the new snake and welcome to the site. glad to see that you did some reading on ball pythons before getting one. you got the feeding chart with the snake and it hasn't eaten in 2 weeks. how many times did the snake eat, from the info on the charts? what are you keeping the snake in? (size) It didn't eat for 2 weeks while at the pet shop. reasons could be: kept in wrong size enclosure causing stress. you said they was trying f/t. get it eating live first for you. most petshops I go to, the temps and humidity are both off. petshops usually keep more than one in a tank. and all the traffic and handling of a young snake.

I notice with most of my hatchlings that once they start to feed, it takes a lot to get one to stop. most go threw a period where they are nippy and strike at anything. and even if they are never held, they will calm down some by themselves after they go thru this period.

if you already have the live rodent for your snake, go ahead and offer it. if you didn't, it wouldn't hurt to give a little more time and give us a little more info on him. plus a weight on him would help too. don

[TomC]

Thanks for all the quick replies I can already tell this forum was the perfect move for a new snake owner.

As of today I know my snake has not eaten in 3 weeks but that is as far back as the feeding chart goes so I am not sure what happened before that. She does not seem extremely thin and when it gets dark in the room she moves around some during day light hours she is staying in her warm side hide.

My warm side is about 86 degrees and my cool side is about 80 degrees. I got my humity stable at about 56% The hides are pretty tight so I think that is good.

I have not bought a mouse yet so I am going to wait a couple days before I pick one up so she will have the full 7 days.

Her enclose is in my computer room which is a very low traffic room and I keep that room at 75 consistently. I enter the room for now about 1 time a day just to check on her so I am doing a good job of leaving her alone but it is driving me crazy.

I am not a person that worries a lot but I have never had a pet that could go a month without eating I think so I think I will have to get used to the idea.

Thanks again for all the great advice
Tom

[Sammy412]

Offer live, a hopper mouse or rat pink/fuzzy. Your snake may refuse, but if it has been 3 weeks, he may not. Babies can't go as long as adults, and if your description of size is accurate, it sounds thin. I have picked up babies at reptile shows who hadn't eaten, but after settling in for just a few days in a nice safe place ate for me no problem. If he doens't eat, offer again in 4 or 5 days. Babies need to eat every 5 days or so anyway. Good Luck!

[emiebeth]

You might want to bump the hot side temp up to 90-93. Are you using a thermostat to control your UTH?