Over hungry BP?

Ok I just adoped a what I have been told to be a 4 yr old female BP. She seems to be fairly small for the age at aprox 2 1/2 ft but I had only had one male and got him when he was already almost 3 1/2 ft and no idea how old but had him for 11 years...anyway I have had her for a week n half now and the previous owner said she was a "good eater" and ate live mice every tuesday. she was easy going and liked to be handeled and is actually in shed but monday night definitly started to act hungry (my old snake would never eat during shedding) so I figured I would just keep to her schedule and fed her tuesday evening and see what happened, 2 adult mice gone... next morning she is still striking the side of her tank when anyone comes near it... so that evening I gave her a small rat since they are the same price as 2 mice and she has the girth to handel it... ate it no problem in 2 min flat and she is still striking the glass! should I just let her chill for a couple days and see or what? I tried to get ahold of the guy that got rid of her to at least see if maybe he fed her more then that at a time etc but he isnt answering. I dont want to over stuff the poor snake but I dont want her striking the glass for a week either...

i dont think the snake would eat if it didnt want too. Especially it being a ball python (people say picky eaters, however i havent had that problem with my buddy). I actually have a 5 month old bp and i gave him 2 hoppers on tuesday and he would come out of his hide every time i entered the room so i put another hopper in there today and he ate it no problem.

if you just got her she might be nervous from the environment change still. I would try putting a towel over the sides of the cage so she can't see people when they walk by. Might calm her down some.

My BP came from a similar background and has never missed a meal, even when in shed. I wonder if it is possible that after being under-fed while they mature they learn not to take their food for granted and are less likely to be picky eaters?

I have a normal that is supposed to be 2 or 3 years old that I got from a lady. The snake was only 206 grams when I got it last year in October. Under my care it now weighs 563 grams. This particular snake always strikes the glass when it comes time to be fed. I am feeding two small adult mice as that is all that this snake will eat for me. It will not take f/t anymore and I have tried live rats as well. I covered three sides of the tank with decorative background and the front as well with some cardboard. This seems to have calmed the snake down quite a bit. Your snake sounds like it is a little stressed out. What kind of enclosure is it housed in? What are the hot and cold side temperatures? How are you heating the enclosure?

If the husbandry is all correct, then everything should be fine. I personally would wait 3-4 days and feed again. The last thing you want to do is have the snake regurg. If it eats on a 3-4 day schedule, then you're snake will be up to size in no time.

Good luck!
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by sgath92

if you just got her she might be nervous from the environment change still. I would try putting a towel over the sides of the cage so she can't see people when they walk by. Might calm her down some.

My BP came from a similar background and has never missed a meal, even when in shed. I wonder if it is possible that after being under-fed while they mature they learn not to take their food for granted and are less likely to be picky eaters?

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SHe is in the same tank same set up, nothing new but the house that it is in and has a light cuz the stupid guy believed that BP didnt need one if they had a heating pad under the tank... Tank is in a bedroom that people dont go in but a couple times a day and she was fine for a day under a week untill feeding day

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Originally Posted by Hydra7

and has a light cuz the stupid guy believed that BP didnt need one if they had a heating pad under the tank...

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Ball Pythons do not need a light if they have a controlled heating pad. Ball Pythons get nothing from a light, as they do not bask. All they need is belly heat. Most times all a light does is dry out your enclosure.

A warm side with a surface temp of 88-94 and a cool side with a surface temp of 80-84 is all they need temperature wise. It best to try to accomplish this with only a under tank heating pad in order to avoid humidity issues caused by a light. You can keep the light if you want, just as long as you can keep the humidity at least at 50%.

You absolutely DO NOT need a light. Ball pythons are nocturnal by nature, and overhead lights only stress them.

I keep all 15 of mine with only belly heat, and considering I've got eggs on the ground and more on the way, I must be doing something right.

I also recommend partially covering the tank and waiting at least 4 days before offering more food, if the poor thing was underfed, you don't want to risk it regurging from overfeeding. Wait 4 or 5 days, then offer one appropriately sized rat. It may take a little while for it to realize food will come on a regular basis and there is no need to gorge. I've seen that happen with stray and feral cats as well. They've been so hungry for so long, they will eat themselves sick if you let them.

Best wishes with your new baby!

Gale

thanks guys... I had the light because I think the under tank heater is too small and the temp was kinda low. humidity is good.... I let her chill for a couple days with a fully belly and after a day she stopped striking the glass, she definiltly ate herself full but is happy and no regurg after all of it which I am thankful for. She is back to her happy chill self, who knows what got her actin like that but, thanks for all the imput anyway everyone :)