Help! Baby Ball Python Won't Eat!

[marya1962]

We bought a baby ball python from Petsmart about 3 weeks ago. It hasn't eaten for us, and Petsmart said it didn't eat for them. So its been without food for four weeks. We've tried not handling it, feeding it at night or during the day, in cage and out of cage, etc. We are now trying a plastic tub, 16 qts., as its habitat. (It was in a 10 gal. aquarium, with hot and cool sides.) We understand the basic tub set-up but are wondering what are ways we can get the little guy to eat and if it's necessary to take him to the vet soon.

[HerpIsAhobby]

What have you been trying to feed the little one? If you have been offering F/T maybe try live. If you have been trying rats try mice. Also don't worry if they haven't eaten in 3 weeks because ball pythons tend to be a picky bunch. I also would suggest keeping the feeding attempts to once a week so that the baby has time to relax from the last attempt.

Also what are the temps for the hot and cool sides? How have you been regulating the temps? Most petsmart employees are trained to sell you the "package" they offer which is usually not best for a ball python.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Getting a non feeder is never a good idea if you have a limited experience with Ball Python they can be tricky to get started which is why it is always highly recommended to get a well started CB from a breeder.

Now the question is ask a lot so we might be able to put you on the right track this is what I would recommend

The main issues with young animals is security, breeder usually keep their animals in VERY small tubs, I keep all my hatchling until they are about 250 grams in a 6 quarts tub.

Some of the keys with hatchling is having optimum security, a 6 quarts tub plus some aspen bedding in which they can bury themselves is often key.

You can additionally add a 6 inches plastic flower pot saucer as a hide, once will be enough.

As far as temps go I try to keep them at about 78 on the cool side and 88 on the warm side.

Warmth and security usually translate in hungry babies.

Limit your interaction with your animal at least until it has ate 5 times, the less interaction the less stress.

So if you switch your BP to something smaller give it a week before offering food and instead of offering a rat offer a live hopper mouse, something about the smell makes them more enticing.

Make sure you offer food in the enclosure.

If the first feed is a fail try again 5 to 7 days later, if this does not work the brown paper bag method will be what follow and if that fails depending how the status of your animal at that time you might need to consider assisting but that will be based on the animal's age and weight and general look.

[Andybill]

Getting a non feeder is never a good idea if you have a limited experience with Ball Python they can be tricky to get started which is why it is always highly recommended to get a well started CB from a breeder.

Now the question is ask a lot so we might be able to put you on the right track this is what I would recommend

Agreed! I wouldnt have purchased the snake if the seller had told me it had never fed for them... Try a live hopper mouse to get started....

[marya1962]

Well, we thought ball pythons were similar to red tailed boas. (They're not.) We've tried live and F/T and he turns his head away from both of them. We wait a week before trying the next attempt. We're hampered by not having a pet store near us (40 miles to nearest) to sell us what we need quickly. We rely on a feed store and the options are limited to what's on hand, which is minimal. Otherwise we would have tried rat pinkies because the mouse pinkies seem kind of small for him. We are using an anolog device to measure temp and humidity. (We're broke for the moment.) The humidity is 65%, temp is 90 on hot and 80 on cool side. This will not change once we get him into the tub but only improve (think positive). One major problem is that we've only got one hide for him, which is on the hot side.

[Andybill]

Well, we thought ball pythons were similar to red tailed boas. (They're not.)

lol!

I would get a smaller tub and try that and if after a week it doesnt eat than if it were me i would assist feed it. Heres a vid on how to do it... Pay close attention to what he says and do exactly as he does if it comes to this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIfnNYZsNz4&feature=plcp

[RestlessRobie]

Agreed! I wouldnt have purchased the snake if the seller had told me it had never fed for them... Try a live hopper mouse to get started....

X2 something about the way a hopper mouse moves seems to trigger a fedding response

[Rob]

Have you tried leaving a f/t in over night? That was the trick for a couple of mine.

[marya1962]

we did an assisted feed and he was a butthead and did not want it but then he slowly started to eat it. LOL. He actually ATE!! (this is her son talking on this post but she would say just about the same thing)