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  1. #1
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    Feelings on Assisted Feeding

    I am new to owning a ball python. I have had trouble getting my girl to feed. I'm going to wait one more week, which would make it three weeks since her last feed. I'm not sure how old she is, she is about 21" long. If I still have trouble getting her to feed should I look at assisted feeding. I would just like feedback as I want to make sure she is healthy.

  2. #2
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    Assist feeding is mainly for animal that fail to start eating on their own.

    Now you post is very vague and before jumping the gun on what to do knowing more about the animal is really important.

    How big is the animal? Weight?

    Describe your setup in details? Enclosure size, temperature, hides, substrate etc?

    Was this animal feeding for you prior to you purchasing it? If so what was the food offered?

    Have you been handling your BP? How often?

    How do you feed? In the enclosure? What type of prey? Mice? Rats? Live? F/T?

    In the majority of cases of young animals owned by new owners refusing to eat it is husbandry related.
    Deborah Stewart


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    thedavegraham (02-16-2015)

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    She is about 21" long. I do not know weight yet. Have to get some digital kitchen scales to weigh her. She is a juvenile.

    I have her her in a glass tank that is 30"x 10" x 12". With a screen top. I have a log, a rock, greenery, and a water bowl. I mix aspen and Eco-earth for substrate. The temp stays at 80 and humidity moves from 40-55%. I did get it up to 70% during her shed.

    I purchased her on 2/4 through a Pets in the Classroom grant at Petco. She had last been fed a F/T on 2/1(according to Petco) I attempted a feed on 2/8. She refused. I let her be for another week after talking to people here. On 2/7 her eyes turned milky. On 2/14 she completed a full shed. On 2/15 I attempted amother feed. I boil water and pour it in a bowl. I place the fuzzy in a bag and place it in the water for 15 minutes. I feel it to make sure it's warm. Use the tongs and wiggle. I do place her in a separate place when I feed. All this was told to me per the feeders at Petco.

    I uave been been handling her about 5 times a week. She winds up my hand and arm and doesn't tense or ball up. If I could figure out how to post a pic of her I would.

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    [IMG][/IMG]

  7. #6
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    First NO handling until she eats for you.

    Being in a classroom and in a glass tank which I assume lot of traffic, staring, tap on the glass might really no be ideal for a young BP.

    Temps you say 80 that is you cool side what is the temp on the warm side? Also do you measure those temps with a digital thermometer? Dial thermometer are very inaccurate, temps also need to be taken of the enclosure's floor.

    As far as feeding I would suggest thawing at room temp (leaving the prey on the top of the cage). warming up with a hairdryer, offering the prey by holding the prey behind the neck making it move like a real live rodent. It is also important to feed the right size, I will assume they recommended fuzzy mice? If so this is way too small. You need to offer something that is the size of the girth size.

    Do you know if she was feeding voluntarily or was assisted? Sadly because they often have no clue are to get them started they actually assist them.

    The most important with young BP is security (make sure the tank is cluttered as much as possible or downsize the enclosure and again no handling), proper temps (they like it warm) and appropriated sized food (too small of a prey may not be recognised as food)
    Last edited by Stewart_Reptiles; 02-16-2015 at 08:58 PM.
    Deborah Stewart


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    I know there is never any tapping of the glass. I made sure to place her behind my desk where students couldn't just get to her. So it is also a low traffic area. I am teaching the students to spot clean and get fresh water and spray the water for humidity but I supervise them at all times. I have a small class size so it's easy to do.

    I also forgot to add she has a heating pad attached to the side of the tank that she likes to stay. I will get another thermometer. The one I have is in the middle. I didn't know I needed two. That is why I joined this site bc I want to learn how to properly take care of my bp.

    I will get her the next size up F/t. They didn't tell me if she was assisted it not. They just told me to wiggle it and use the tongs when I fed.

    I may may end up trying a live mouse if she continues to refuse the F/T.

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    And thank you for giving me so much detail. I really appreciate it.

  10. #9
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    Live is definitely a step to take before assisting, in the mean time try to limit interaction clean once a week but make sure she is left alone as much as possible.

    I know it takes the fun out of it because she is a class pet but for now she needs to grow a little before all that interaction, once she put some size and is more comfortable she will make a great class pet I am sure.

    And remember make sure to provide a proper hot spot of 88/90
    Deborah Stewart


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