bp feeding problems

[serpents-prey]

my ball pythons are both refusing food my larger one is in shed so its understandable but the other one usually eats fine but now he won't eat i have moved both of them into the same tank (quite frankly i don't care to here u should keep them apart) they are not thrashing about and are staying in the same hide but they won't eat its the same thing i usually feed them a live fuzzy they have eaten these before under constant supervision so don't give me crap about that but now when offered food they won't eat they have been offered the same mice two days in a row should i try draping a towel over the feed tank? don't tell me to try prekilling either it hasn't worked i need some ideas here

sry if i come across as mad i am just frustrated right now

[JLC]

First....read this:

WHY WON'T MY SNAKE EAT?
In almost all cases, a ball python refuses to eat due to husbandry issues. Especially a young one. If your snake misses more than one meal (sometimes they won't want to eat while in shed) please check the following possible causes:

Lack of Security -- No hides, or hides that are too large or exposed (ie: half logs). They prefer dark, tight hides they barely fit into. Also, if the enclosure is too large, or too open (glass) or in a high traffic area with a lot of loud noise or movement. Another snake in the same enclosure can also cause serious security issues.

Over Handling -- Frequent intrusions into the enclosure, changes to the enclosure, and/or long frequent handling sessions can cause a shy snake to feel vulnerable and refuse to eat.

Improper Temps -- Temps that are too high or too low, or temps that fluctuate too much. Make sure you have an accurate and consistent read on your temps.

Improper Lighting -- Bright white lights shining directly into the enclosure, or 24 hour lighting can cause stress. Make sure there is some sort of day/night cycle.

Offering New Prey -- Changing prey species (ie: mice to rats) or methods (ie: live to f/t) can cause refusal. Such changes can be made, but may require patience and persistence.

Improper Offering of Prey -- Offering prey too frequently can do more harm than good. If a snake refuses, do not attempt to feed again for a week. Also, changing environments by moving to a feeding-box or removing hides and "furniture" can cause refusal in these shy snakes.

Prey Too Large -- Too large an item may intimidate a snake and cause refusal, or even a regurgitation if it is eaten. Also, if a ball python has eaten large meals in the past, it can cause a sudden an indefinite period of fasting.

Mites -- An external parasite common to snakes that must be treated and eradicated. A product called Provent-a-Mite (P.A.M.) is the safest and most effective method.

Seasonal -- Sexually mature ball pythons may fast for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months during their mating season (typically anywhere from late fall to early spring) especially if a sexually mature snake of the opposite sex is in close proximity.

Illness -- If all other possible reasons are eliminated, a vet check may be in order to look for internal parasites, as well as possible infections to the skin, scales, mouth or respiratory system.

Fortunately, ball pythons are extremely hardy snakes that can go for months (if necessary) of fasting without suffering any ill effects. This gives a responsible keeper plenty of time to figure out why the snake refuses to eat and get them on a regular, consistent feeding regimen.

And please think this through: If you are determined to practice methods that are KNOWN to cause ball pythons to not eat...and refuse to change those methods, but demand that people give you "other ideas" to help them eat.....can you not see how self-defeating that is?

Get each snake its own enclosure.

Double and triple check your husbandry.

Feed only ONCE every seven days. Repeatedly offering food day after day only makes things worse.

Hope this helps you some.

[serpents-prey]

i'm sorry i really don't mean to come across as cocky or arrogant. by moved them in together i mean they are in the same tank but it is divided and they are in there usual small warm hides i moved them in together so i would only have to control one smaller environment they have been eating up until a week ago and my smaller one just stopped this week

[serpents-prey]

also they are under a year old so i don't know if the seasonal thing would apply

[bigballs]

Double and triple check your husbandry.

did you do that yet?

tell us about your setup up.

[JLC]

Ok...well, read through that list. Be patient and don't expect anything to happen "instantly." Ball pythons live life at a VERY slow pace. Something that stresses them out enough to cause them to stop eating may take several days or even a week or two to manifest itself as a feeding issue. And every change you make in its environment can take several days or more to adjust to.

So...just because he stopped eating "yesterday" doesn't mean some problem suddenly cropped up yesterday. It could have been anything that was changed in the last couple of weeks.

Study that list...and try to view everything from your snake's point of view, rather than our human point of view.

[serpents-prey]

i'll one up u there i'll try to post pics when i get a chance and i can't check now i have the tank in my brothers room and he has school tomorrow

[serpents-prey]

i am just worried because i am used to a snake eating once a week and now that i know they can go a month without food i will try to just stay out of and away from the tank for a week until i feed next thank you guys for putting up with me i know theres stuff you could be doing instead of talking me thru this

[serpents-prey]

it worked he ate they both ate! yay!!! ^_^ i covered the feed tank with a towel and left the room and they both ate

[Stewart_Reptiles]

(quite frankly i don't care to here u should keep them apart)

Than I guess you won't care about knowing that I am not surprise that your BP are not eating

are not thrashing about and are staying in the same hide

That is called dominance and dominance cause stress and stress lead to BP going off feed.

So even if your husbandry is perfect (temps, humidity, etc) your BP can still go off feed due to the stress of multiple housing.

The fact that they just ate does not mean the problem won't occur again.