wont eat

[deathfromabove]

i got my baby ball last wedsday the petstore said they fed him every friday tried feeding him on friday wpouldnt eat so i waited till today and he looks pretty skinny but still active hes currently trying to find a way out of the tank lol, hes also breathing a little heavier than usual but nothing im too concerned about, my temps are 85 and 75 and theres only 1 half log hide in there for him, i tried to feed him a f/t fuzzy and just like last time he completly ignored it as if it wasnt even there i forgot to ask the pet store if they fed him live so should i try feeding live? idk what to do

[Skittles1101]

1 week without food isn't going to harm him...

I'm going to start out by assuming you have a tank. How are you measuring temps, because your temps are low. I keep mine at 92 hot side and 80-85 cool side. He should also have two hides, one on each side. The half log hides are not ideal, however, if you cover the back and sides of your tank with black Con-Tact adhesive paper from Home Depot for $6 for a huge roll, and put the back of the log hide directly against the black out side/back it should be okay. Once you fix your husbandry, try feeding again in a week.

[Kymberli]

Once you're sure your husbandry is perfect, I would start him out on appropriately sized live mice until he's eating regularly. Since he's skinny you should start small, probably feeding every 5 days if he'll take the meal. The most important thing is to get him to eat regularly. Once he does that you can try switching him over to f/t mice, then go from there. Once you get the f/t mice be sure it's heated thoroughly but not too hot or the BP will refuse it.

[Keyboard Warrior]

When you say he's breathing heavier, do you mean its just faster, or its to the point where you can hear him breathing?

[JLC]

From our Caresheet:

WHY WON'T MY SNAKE EAT?
In almost all cases, a ball python refuses to eat due to husbandry issues. Especially a young one. If your snake misses more than 2-3 meals (sometimes they will not want to eat while in shed) please check the following possible causes:

Lack of Security -- No hides, or hides that are too large or exposed (ie: half logs). They prefer dark, tight hides they barely fit into. Also, if the enclosure is too large, or too open (glass) or in a high traffic area with a lot of loud noise or movement. Another snake in the same enclosure can also cause serious security issues.

Over Handling -- Frequent intrusions into the enclosure, changes to the enclosure, and/or long frequent handling sessions can cause a shy snake to feel vulnerable and refuse to eat.

Improper Temps -- Temps that are too high or too low, or temps that fluctuate too much. Make sure you have an accurate and consistent read on your temps.

Improper Lighting -- Bright white lights shining directly into the enclosure, or 24 hour lighting can cause stress. Make sure there is some sort of day/night cycle.

Offering New Prey -- Changing prey species (ie: mice to rats) or methods (ie: live to f/t) can cause refusal. Such changes can be made, but may require patience and persistence.

Improper Offering of Prey -- Offering prey too frequently can do more harm than good. If a snake refuses, do not attempt to feed again for a week. Also, changing environments by moving to a feeding-box or removing hides and "furniture" can cause refusal in these shy snakes.

Prey Too Large -- Too large an item may intimidate a snake and cause refusal, or even a regurgitation if it is eaten. Also, if a ball python has eaten large meals in the past, it can cause a sudden an indefinite period of fasting.

Mites -- An external parasite common to snakes that must be treated and eradicated. A product called Provent-a-Mite (P.A.M.) is the safest and most effective method.

Seasonal -- Sexually mature ball pythons may fast for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months during their mating season (typically anywhere from late fall to early spring) especially if a sexually mature snake of the opposite sex is in close proximity.

Illness -- If all other possible reasons are eliminated, a vet check may be in order to look for internal parasites, as well as possible infections to the skin, scales, mouth or respiratory system.

Fortunately, ball pythons are extremely hardy snakes that can go for months (if necessary) of fasting without suffering any ill effects. This gives a responsible keeper plenty of time to figure out why the snake refuses to eat and get them on a regular, consistent feeding regimen.

[Homegrownscales]

Stop handling, stop offering everyday. There should be 5 days at LEAST in between each food offer. You just got him. Most new reptiles need an acclimation period of at least a week or two to a month. Next week when you should try feeding again go with live. He just had a majior life change and he doenst know why. He needs time ro settle in. Your goal in this acclimating period is to give him the most serene environment as possible. You don't want to stress him any way shape or form. It's not going to hurt him to go with out food for a week or two. You need a digital scale that weighs grams. Bps are notorious for food refusals. A responsible keeper is one that monitors weights. Have a special or binder dedicated for just your bps activity logs. Weigh monthly for feeding animals and when refusing started weigh biweekly if it persists weigh weekly. Write down the date and weight, feed,food refusals, type of food, regurges, shed, defecations, i also write down any noteworthy behavior. Then you know exactly what is going on with your ball. A ball that is dramatically loosing weight is a stressed and or sick animal. You will not be able to see if he is dropping in enough time to safely do something about it. If you should ever have to go to the vet with Him bring the book (mine is my "bible"). Your vet can look at it and see a complete history. Having this history really makes a difference, it's the difference between knowing the ball is just in breeding winter fast or if he's sick. They don't show they are sick until they are dying. That's survival of the species. It can mean saving the animals life as opposed to him all of the sudden kicking the bucket and you not knowing why. You can get a digital scale for like 10$. Worth its weight in gold IMHO

[deathfromabove]

no it just his whole body will move when he breathes he only did it for a little bit tho i listened for it but i couldnt hear it