help with humidity and feeding

[Abby_maynardd]

Hey!! I have a ball python he is about 2 years old. His temp is 80 on the cool side and 90 on the warm side and his humidity was at 45 but is now up to 60. he hasn't eaten in about 4 months(I feel like a horrible mom but I swear i'm trying my best) I just found out that his humidity was to low. So I got a zoomed reptifogger and just set it up. He isn't feeling like he normally does he kinda feels like little squishy instead of firm and I am nervous that he isn't going to make it. Does anyone have any suggestions that could help me get him goin again? Also what are your guys thoughts on live mice I have heard it can be bad for them because they can have diseases and also if he doesn't kill it all the way it could dig out of his stomach and kill him. and does anyone have an techniques with feeding so I can get him to eat as soon as possible. I posted a picture of his cage on my profile and I am not sure how much he weighs but I am assuming less than he should since I can't get him to eat.

[Craiga 01453]

The humidity actually wasn't all that low. Staying above 50% is fine, but closer to 60% is better.

4 months is nothing in adult BP world. It can be frustrating, but it's not uncommon.

We can definitely help you out. But please, PLEASE start learning from a reputable source.
Wherever you heard a mouse can basically come back to life and eat it's way out of the snakes stomach...well, don't learn anything else from that source. That's honestly one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.

Yes, live mice can carry parasites and disease, but if you buy from a reputable feeder source you won't have a problem. You're probably thinking wild mice. You definitely don't want to feed wild mice you catch in the yard or whatever, that's where disease and parasites come from.

If he's not losing considerable weight he's going to be fine. BPs can go up to a year without food if healthy.


After looking at your enclosure picture....

First, you could use more clutter. BPs crave security and that enclosure offers very little.

Unfortunately, those stick-on dial style thermometers and hygrometers are wildly inaccurate and basically junk. They can be off by as much as 15% or 15°.

Also, with a few very small tweaks you can return the fogger/mister. You can make a few little changes that will help your humidity control drastically.

I'm not being rude here, just trying to help you and your pet. It sounds to me like you would benefit from doing more research on your pet. The more we know about our pets the better we can care for them.

[Zincubus]

Hi ...

These things happen ..... ten years ago I had a female Royal ( Ball) fast for 9 months ... she was fine but then suddenly seemed to look slimmer and wrinkled... she was dehydrated-very dangerous.

Anyways I gave her a 20 minute soak in a plastic box ( with a lid and air holes) and she looked instantly plumper and more colourful ( an albino) .. the very next day she ate !!! She’s never stopped eating since .


Only last year I had a big Male Pied Royal fast for 15 months ( FIFTEEN!! ) and incredibly I had the crazy idea of leaving a couple of thawed chicken heads in overnight... they were gone the next morning and then he ate 2 full chicks that very night !!! He’s continued eating ever since but ONLY chicks .. shows no interest in mice / rats / hamsters or any other rodent !!


Anyways a photo or two would be very helpful if only to rule out dehydration .




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[Mr. Misha]

Here's the photo of OP's enclosure from their profile

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[Abby_maynardd]

Thank you so much for responding so fast!!! You guys are awesome. I had one more question I had him in my bathtub and didn't fill it up high at all probably only like an inch to and inch and a half. But he did put his face under and seemed panicked is that normal? If he does go underwater and seems uncomfortable what should I do? I ended up sitting in the bathtub with him and sitting his head on my leg and he seemed to do okay with that but I just wanted to know if it Is okay for them to go under? To be honest I did a research paper for college and when I read it I just got freaked out I probably should have done research on here rather than some random site. One more thing where would you suggest getting mice from? Is just like petsmart or petco okay or do you know of a better place to buy them.

[Toad37]

If his head goes under water and he doesn't like it he'll lift it back up. Instead of the bath tub try soaking him in a smaller tub (like a plastic one with a lid). He'll be able to feel the sides with his body and feel a little more secure. The water only needs to be about half way or 2/3 up his body.

And back to the enclosure, is that Aspen bedding? If so ditch that and get something like cypress mulch or Coco block and return the fogger. Aspen holds no humidity and if it gets too wet (like from the fogger) it can mold.

[Abby_maynardd]

should I use a see through container to soak him or a not see through one? and I was just on amazon about to buy him zoo med eco earth compressed coconut fiber substrate is this Okay to use? or do you suggest a different brand? Also what kind of stuff do you think I should add to make him more comfy? like more leafs or more huts?

[Abby_maynardd]

and what brand hygrometer and temp gauges should I use instead? Sorry I am just full of questions!!!

[Toad37]

should I use a see through container to soak him or a not see through one? and I was just on amazon about to buy him zoo med eco earth compressed coconut fiber substrate is this Okay to use? or do you suggest a different brand? Also what kind of stuff do you think I should add to make him more comfy? like more leafs or more huts?

A clear container so you can see him and holes drilled in it so he can breath.

I can't give you any advice on eco earth because I e only ever used cypress mulch and I love it. But different people have different opinions about certain substrates, it comes down to what works best for you and most importantly your animal. I would get smaller bags at first to see if you like it instead of a big one that you're stuck with if you decide it doesn't work.

As far as clutter, I would put another hide on the opposite end of the tank so he can be in a hide on the warm side and the cool side. But you can use a ton of stuff for clutter. More hides if you feel the need, fake plants, logs-fake or real (if you use real ones then properly clean them) for climbing or hiding. You can be creative with it and make it very unique. Good luck!

[Abby_maynardd]

Is there a specific kind of gauges that you use that work better than the ones I have?