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  1. #1
    BPnet Veteran SPJ's Avatar
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    Something I really hate to see

    My spider girl is a bit on the small side and so far has been refusing food.
    I tried f/t and live. She looks at the food but that's all. Then she goes back into her hide.
    Not what I want to see happening since she is a bit too thin for my taste.
    Spiders are usually great eaters. Any suggestions?
    I'm beginning to wonder about her having eaten 12 plus times since she is only 100 grams.

  2. #2
    Registered User Cartmansdad's Avatar
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    Re: Something I really hate to see

    When you try to to feed f/t do you dangle the mouse or do you let it (the mouse) sit there? Also check her temps if the warm side is under 92, change it to 92-94 and if the cool side is lower than 82, bump it to 82-84. Hope she eats soon.
    -Ross
    GO CHIEFS!

    I love this guy-----

  3. #3
    Registered User Amy1217's Avatar
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    Re: Something I really hate to see

    well...you probably shouldnt feed her in her enclosure...give her a few days, then put her into a seperate place (like a cardboard box), and put the food in there with her, and leave her for a while. Thats what i do with mine whenever he wont eat (hes only not eaten once though.lol)
    ..:.*Amy*.:..
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    Coming November 29th 2006 1.0 100% Het. Pied (Dakarai)
    Coming November 30th 2006 0.1 Pied (Makeena)

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  4. #4
    Steel Magnolia rabernet's Avatar
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    Re: Something I really hate to see

    Quote Originally Posted by Amy1217
    well...you probably shouldnt feed her in her enclosure...give her a few days, then put her into a seperate place (like a cardboard box), and put the food in there with her, and leave her for a while. Thats what i do with mine whenever he wont eat (hes only not eaten once though.lol)
    In my experience, they feed better in their own enclosures - with all their "furniture" in place. They should already feel safe and secure enough in their enclosure to have no problems eating there. I also eliminate the need to handle them after they've eaten this way.

    I just know that I keep all of mine in tub set-ups or a rack, 15 quart for my '06's and 41 quart for my yearlings. Although I have some yearlings in my rack that are sharing 30 quart tubs (with the optional dividers that HerpEnclosures sells to make the 30 quart tubs into two long 15 quart enclosures). Other than Kashmire - who was my first ball python, I've not experienced any fasts other than the occasional one week refusal, which to me, doesn't qualify as a fast.

    I'm a true believer (from experience) that smaller is better for a happy ball python - smaller enclosure, small tight hides, and I also keep them warm with the recommended temp ranges.

    I do also feed live to all of mine, so I've not personally dealt with the challenges of switching a ball to pre-killed or f/t.

  5. #5
    Registered User Amy1217's Avatar
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    Re: Something I really hate to see

    I have always been told not to becuase i use Aspen substrate, and they could possibly ingest that, and there is a chance that they will think you are food next time you go into their enclosures. I could be wrong, but i have always taken mine out, and they have always fed. I have never had a problem with them not eating though, so i dont have too much room to talk here...just what i have been told by others.
    ..:.*Amy*.:..
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  6. #6
    Steel Magnolia rabernet's Avatar
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    Re: Something I really hate to see

    Quote Originally Posted by Amy1217
    I have always been told not to becuase i use Aspen substrate, and they could possibly ingest that, and there is a chance that they will think you are food next time you go into their enclosures. I could be wrong, but i have always taken mine out, and they have always fed. I have never had a problem with them not eating though, so i dont have too much room to talk here...just what i have been told by others.
    All of mine are on aspen, and they do ingest some on occassion - but their stomachs are designed to digest fur, bones and teeth - a little aspen doesn't stand a chance.

    As far as them thinking you are food when you go into their enclosure, that's a myth. I wouldn't dare consider handling any of mine on feeding, but any other day, they are just fine. As long as you don't have the scent of prey on your hands, and you are going into their enclosure for routine cage maintenance and water changing, they won't make that association.

    Routines are very important too. My crew know what day and what time of day is feeding time. I also feed in the same order each week.

    If feeding in a separate enclosure works for you - then there's no need to change that! Just wanted to dispel some concerns you had!

  7. #7
    BPnet Senior Member joepythons's Avatar
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    Re: Something I really hate to see

    Quote Originally Posted by Amy1217
    I have always been told not to becuase i use Aspen substrate, and they could possibly ingest that, and there is a chance that they will think you are food next time you go into their enclosures. I could be wrong, but i have always taken mine out, and they have always fed. I have never had a problem with them not eating though, so i dont have too much room to talk here...just what i have been told by others.
    Now thats the reason i use newspapers as my substrate,no chance of them eating it .Another thing you acctually place more stress on the snake by removing it from the place they feel safe.This is from my experiance over the last 9yrs.
    Joe Haggard

  8. #8
    BPnet Senior Member joepythons's Avatar
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    Wink Re: Something I really hate to see

    Quote Originally Posted by SPJ
    My spider girl is a bit on the small side and so far has been refusing food.
    I tried f/t and live. She looks at the food but that's all. Then she goes back into her hide.
    Not what I want to see happening since she is a bit too thin for my taste.
    Spiders are usually great eaters. Any suggestions?
    I'm beginning to wonder about her having eaten 12 plus times since she is only 100 grams.
    Steve,i am sorry to hear she is not eating for you .Have you ever assist fed a ball python before? If not try this,make sure the frozen thawed mouse fuzzy or whatever looks correct for her is totaly thawed.Then take her and GENTLY open her mouth with the rodents nose.Then place it inside her mouth and gently let her go.This might take a couple times but hopefully instinct will kick in.This is best done on say a table or something to where she will not get away from you.I have done this for several snakes and 99% of the time it has worked.So here is a positive thought for you and your little spider
    Joe Haggard

  9. #9
    Registered User Amy1217's Avatar
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    Re: Something I really hate to see

    Quote Originally Posted by joepythons
    Now thats the reason i use newspapers as my substrate,no chance of them eating it .Another thing you acctually place more stress on the snake by removing it from the place they feel safe.This is from my experiance over the last 9yrs.
    I'll make sure i keep that in mind. My snakes have never had a problem eating, so im going to stick to my routine, but i know what to do if i happen to get one that is pickier.
    Thanks!
    ..:.*Amy*.:..
    1.0 2005 norm. BP (Jayvyn)
    1.0 2006 Columbian Red Tail Boa (Cypher)
    Coming November 29th 2006 1.0 100% Het. Pied (Dakarai)
    Coming November 30th 2006 0.1 Pied (Makeena)

    0.1 2002 Pug X Shih Tzu (Shimona)
    1.0 Thoroughbred Gelding (Jackson)



  10. #10
    BPnet Senior Member joepythons's Avatar
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    Re: Something I really hate to see

    Quote Originally Posted by Amy1217
    I'll make sure i keep that in mind. My snakes have never had a problem eating, so im going to stick to my routine, but i know what to do if i happen to get one that is pickier.
    Thanks!
    See now if we all pool up our info on ball pythons, maybe they would find out and stop giving us headaches .Then we all would have nothing to talk about here .
    Joe Haggard

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