Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 820

2 members and 818 guests
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,905
Threads: 249,107
Posts: 2,572,123
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, Pattyhud
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 30
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-22-2017
    Posts
    15
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts

    Worried about my bp

    Little backstory. I know now that I should have gone through a more reputable place, but I'm not gonna give up on my little one. I got my bp from petsmart. He weighs 57g and about 14-15 inches long. From the last time the store feed him, it's been almost 3 weeks and he is not taking food. They said they were feeding f/t pinkies, but this forum has suggested hoppers for him. He won't go for pinkies or fuzzies (mice) and I'm going to get hoppers this week from a local breeder. Tank is 88-92 basking (uth) humidity around 55%. Cool side hovering 80. Hides on both sides which he uses. I've had him now for 2 weeks and he doesn't seem stressed. I feel like he is slow on the weight gain.

    I called the sure and they said they don't release bp without them feeding 3 times, ave they do the f/t pinkies. I doubt know if I'm doing something wrong. I'm a little worried about him. I've read through the forums and there is so much conflicting advice that I can't seem to figure out what to do. I'm sure I'm over reacting. Any help would be lovely.

  2. #2
    Registered User ebbanflo's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-31-2017
    Posts
    59
    Thanks
    46
    Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts

    Re: Worried about my bp

    It may just be that he is not completely comfortable yet, I've heard of BPs not eating for up to a few months when they have a new home.

    But I'm no expert, there are many other people who are extremely experienced and will be able to help you get to the bottom of this situation!

    I wish all the best for your new BP! I'm sure once he is adjusted he will be okay and eating properly! The most important thing is the fact that you care so much.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Registered User Angela1133's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-31-2017
    Posts
    16
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Worried about my bp

    I got my first bp from Petco and same issue but I nursed her and she started to put on weight and now is pretty beefy lol I assisted in a feeding After 3 weeks of not taking anything. She did well and I've had her going on 6 years.

    Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    BPnet Veteran DennisM's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-19-2014
    Posts
    907
    Thanks
    104
    Thanked 571 Times in 379 Posts
    Images: 24
    please read this

    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

    pinkies and fuzzies are too small. get the hoppers. you may need to feed live to get started. Don't believe anything petsmart told you.

    disregard talk of assist feeding.
    Last edited by DennisM; 09-03-2017 at 09:51 PM.

  5. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to DennisM For This Useful Post:

    bcr229 (09-03-2017),Stewart_Reptiles (09-03-2017),Vipera Berus (09-13-2017)

  6. #5
    BPnet Veteran MissterDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-21-2017
    Posts
    1,509
    Thanks
    4,106
    Thanked 2,028 Times in 904 Posts
    How often are you offering food and when was the last time he ate? I think in your last thread you mentioned he managed to eat for you atleast once?

    Could you show us your set up? That might help give us some more information so we can help identify any potential problems that were not covered.
    1.0 Ball Python (Mystic Potion) Tapioca
    0.1 Northern Pine Snake - Impa
    0.1 Russian Rat Snake (Melanistic) Kallari (RIP)

  7. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-22-2017
    Posts
    15
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Worried about my bp

    Quote Originally Posted by MissterDog View Post
    How often are you offering food and when was the last time he ate? I think in your last thread you mentioned he managed to eat for you atleast once?

    Could you show us your set up? That might help give us some more information so we can help identify any potential problems that were not covered.
    He started to eat and I spoke too soon. He ended up spitting it out or regurging. Wasn't digested. I forgot to mention that. I'm sorry. He last ate the Wednesday before I got him. So if I'm correct it's been 2.5 weeks since his last feeding. I've tried once every 5 days and he normally is just disinterested. He has struck once and then didn't care.

    He is in a 40g tank. Mesh top with foil over it.


  8. #7
    BPnet Veteran Jeanne's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-07-2003
    Location
    Gold Canyon, Az
    Posts
    4,381
    Thanks
    277
    Thanked 305 Times in 190 Posts
    Images: 54

    Re: Worried about my bp

    Slasha, could U tell us about your setup? Is that stick on hygrometer on left side above hide? On right, how come you have sat the temp gauge down into the cage.. it looks as if it has a wire leading out of the cage? What are you using to heat, are thermostats present? And.. it may be tht the snake is stressed. That cage is really wide open, alot of empty space.

    Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
    *Jeanne*

    "To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe"

  9. #8
    BPnet Veteran MissterDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-21-2017
    Posts
    1,509
    Thanks
    4,106
    Thanked 2,028 Times in 904 Posts
    40 gal tank is too big and bare for him. It's hard to tell in the picture but his hides look too big as well and they need to be matching. Hides should be tight and snug like a turtle shell hugging all their sides. It looks like the black flat one is a reptile basic hide box? Those are great but I think you need to go a size or two down.

    You would be better putting him in a smaller, more appropriate sized tub but if you stick with this tank you need way more coverage and foliage and more clutter. I'm willing to guess the reason he's not eating is because he lacks the security he needs.

    The hatchling 101 sticky basically covers everything you'll need to adjust.

    Lastly, is that a stick on humidity gauge on the left? If so consider replacing it with something more accurate such as a digital one, as those gauge types tend to be wildly unreliable.
    Last edited by MissterDog; 09-03-2017 at 11:09 PM. Reason: autocorrect is my enemy
    1.0 Ball Python (Mystic Potion) Tapioca
    0.1 Northern Pine Snake - Impa
    0.1 Russian Rat Snake (Melanistic) Kallari (RIP)

  10. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to MissterDog For This Useful Post:

    Godzilla78 (09-11-2017),hollowlaughter (09-04-2017),Kira (09-04-2017)

  11. #9
    Super Moderator bcr229's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-18-2013
    Location
    Eastern WV Panhandle
    Posts
    9,567
    Thanks
    2,968
    Thanked 9,997 Times in 4,836 Posts
    Images: 34

    Re: Worried about my bp

    Quote Originally Posted by MissterDog View Post
    40 gal tank is too big and bare for him. It's hard to tell in the picture but his hides look too big as well and they need to be matching. Hides should be tight and snug like a turtle shell hugging all their sides. It looks like the black flat one is a reptile basic hide box? Those are great but I think you need to go a size or two down.

    You would be better putting him in a smaller, more appropriate sized tub but if you stick with this tank you need way more coverage and foliage and more clutter. I'm willing to guess the reason he's not eating is because he lacks the security he needs.

    The hatchling 101 sticky basically covers everything you'll need to adjust.

    Lastly, is that a stick on humidity gauge on the left? If so consider replacing it with something more accurate such as a digital one, as those gauge types tend to be wildly unreliable.
    All of this.

    For my babies I use the white plastic containers that Hormel Complete meals come in. Cheap office lunch becomes a baby snake hide, just run the container through the dishwasher to clean it and then cut an access hole with heavy-duty scissors.

    You can find leafy plastic plants that are inexpensive at craft stores like Michaels. Just make sure there are no closed loops or sharp points that could hurt your snake. Lay them right on top of the substrate so your snake can hide under them.

    In the future stay out of the big box stores.
    Last edited by bcr229; 09-03-2017 at 11:31 PM.

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to bcr229 For This Useful Post:

    MissterDog (09-03-2017)

  13. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-22-2017
    Posts
    15
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Worried about my bp

    Quote Originally Posted by MissterDog View Post
    40 gal tank is too big and bare for him. It's hard to tell in the picture but his hides look too big as well and they need to be matching. Hides should be tight and snug like a turtle shell hugging all their sides. It looks like the black flat one is a reptile basic hide box? Those are great but I think you need to go a size or two down.

    You would be better putting him in a smaller, more appropriate sized tub but if you stick with this tank you need way more coverage and foliage and more clutter. I'm willing to guess the reason he's not eating is because he lacks the security he needs.

    The hatchling 101 sticky basically covers everything you'll need to adjust.

    Lastly, is that a stick on humidity gauge on the left? If so consider replacing it with something more accurate such as a digital one, as those gauge types tend to be wildly unreliable.
    I'll get more stuff for him for sure then. The wife has told me to stay with this tank. Ya, I learned my lesson from going to big box alright...feel bad cuz I feel like he is having a horrible time.

    I have the stick on one there because I never took it off. I don't use it. The one in the back right is a digital temp/humidty one. It's probe for the basking temp runs to the hot side. I can replace his hides as well. He curls in the corner of each hide, but if it's not snug enough then I'll change them.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1