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New girl is not eating

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  • 10-18-2009, 01:33 AM
    Crusader71
    New girl is not eating
    My new ball python has not eaten since I bought her 2 weeks ago. Now is this just because she is still adjusting to her new home or should I start to worry?
  • 10-18-2009, 02:52 AM
    Dalishar
    Re: New girl is not eating
    She's probably still going through an adjustment period, though it's important to ensure all her needs are being met.

    What size of an enclosure is she in?
    How are you monitoring the temps, and what are they on the hot / cool sides?
    Does she have small, tight hides available at both ends of the enclosure?

    Have you been messing around with her at all while she tries to get acclimated? I try and make it a point to not mess with any new snakes (beyond the necessary handling for cage cleaning and maintenance) until they're eager feeders. At least eaten 3 times in a row, at a bare minimum. Your mileage may vary, however.

    Depending on how old / big she is, I wouldn't be overly concerned about two weeks. How big is she?

    I'm sure there's a few more things other people will throw in!
  • 10-18-2009, 03:00 AM
    CoolioTiffany
    Re: New girl is not eating
    If you haven't given the snake at least a week to settle in (handling during the first week in its new home), that could be a possibility.

    Temps and humidity are very important to have spot on because most Ball pythons will refuse when temps or humidity isn't correct. And it would also be very important to have the correct temps for proper digestion of the rodent fed to the snake. What are you using to measure the temps and humidity, and what are you using for a heat source?

    Some Ball pythons are picky when it comes to certain rodents. Some will eat colored rodents, some will only eat white rodents. Some prefer mice over rats, and some prefer rats over mice. It really depends on what they have been fed previously, so if it was fed rats previously but you're offering mice, that could be a possibility on why the snake is refusing.

    Hiding places are also very important. Some Ball pythons will refuse meals if they don't have a secure hide. They like to be hugged on all sides, including the top. So, purchasing a tight-fitting hide (not too small to where the hide rises or the snake's body is sticking out from underneath the hide) would be the best to do. Having a half log hide wouldn't do, they are not secure for Ball pythons at all.
  • 10-18-2009, 08:58 AM
    BiggBaddWolf
    Re: New girl is not eating
    Another important thing to remember, is now is the time of year that ball pythons typically may stop feeding for awhile. Usually it isnt anything to worry about unless the snake is loosing a significant amount of weight. Also I have found in my experience, and this is just my experience, that hides have very little to do with feeding, and thriving ball pythons. I have used half log hides with no problems whatsoever, and have even had a few that preferred not to use a hide at all, and never had an issues because of it, but I am sure someone will tell me how wrong I am, and how bad half log hides are!!!!:P:rolleyes:
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