Feeding Question

[racer500]

I got a baby ball python a few weeks ago. It was a month and a half when i got it, so it is about 2 to 2 1/2 months. Since i have had it it wont eat. What do i do? I read that they will go without food for many reasons. But it has been four weeks and it hasnt eaten. I dont know what to do, please help in any way you can.

Thanks, Joey

[Adam_Wysocki]

Ball pythons less than 12-18 months age that refuse food 95% of the time do it because of a problem with their husbandry.

There is all kinds of information on this site about conditioning your snake to be a good eater ... it would behoove you to take some time to search it out.

Make sure your temps are correct ... 82-84 on one side of the cage, 92-94 on the other 24 hours a day 7 days a week measured with a good digital thermometer ... humidity should be between 50% and 60% ... make sure your snake has at least one small tight hide on each side of the enclosure ... if you can fit anything inside of the hide at the same time as your snake, the hide is too big ... DON'T HANDLE IT AT ALL ... at least until it's eating regularly for you.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[The Cannibal Monkey]

I'm by no means an expert, but if you're feeding F/T, what's worked with my picky guy was splitting the mouse's head open. Another thing that worked was warming the mouse up, refreezing it, then rewarming it...makes it reek more =P I hope that helps a little, I'm sure you'll get tons of really great advice, good luck getting him to eat! =)

[racer500]

Thanks for the advice. About 2 hours after i posted the question i was checking on my newborn rats and decided to put one in my balls cage. After some smelling and looking around my ball grabbed it, killed it, then ate it. Should i try giving it another one because it has been a while since it has eaten?

[Adam_Wysocki]

No need. Just commit to a regular routine and follow it ... it will all work out if your husbandry is correct.

-adam

[frankykeno]

Welcome to the forum Joey and congratulations on your bp taking it's first meal with you. As Adam said, establish good routines/habits with the snake and stick to them consistently. Ball pythons seem to feel less stress if they have a routine to recognize in a basic way. Things like what day you feed, what time of day, what days you handle and do not handle, how you handle (don't handle for 48 hrs after a feeding)...that sort of stuff. If you haven't had a moment to check it out, we have an excellent care sheet here on ball python care you might want to go over. Don't be shy about asking any questions that come to mind, there's a great group of people here!


~~Joanna~~