Striking, but not latching or anytihng?

One of our friends has a small ball python that he got about a month and a half ago. She had just started shedding, and now she's almost done.
Now she's not eating. She's hungry 'cause she's roaming around at all hours of the day, and she strikes. We put a mouse in there and she'd strike at it but not wrap on it. He as another ball python that's in the same room, same set up, but that one's fine.

Some of our mice just had babies about a week ago and we took two pinkies down ... she had NO idea what to do with them. We're gonna wait till they have fur and look more mouse like ... but if she doesn't eat them then, what do we do?

When snakes are fine I know what to do, but when they're not doing "normal" things I dunno what to do Help!

What was she raised on/fed previously, mice or rats or soft furs or...? That can make all the difference, if she's not familiar with mice as food, that might be why she isn't eating them. Is everything else good (temps, humidity, hides, etc.)?

It sounds more to me that she's defensively striking. What's her set up like?

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Originally Posted by Ashleen Cook

One of our friends has a small ball python that he got about a month and a half ago. She had just started shedding, and now she's almost done....

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Are you saying that she has been shedding for a month and a half?

If so, your friend has some humidity issues....

There were humidity issues in the beginning, but now we think we've gotten them figured out.

I'll get pictures of the setup when I can. There are three hides, one in the heat lamp side, one in the middle, and one in the cool side.

She's been raised on live mice.

Hi,

It's hard to be certain but I also think she isn't hungry she is seriously stressed.

I would go redad the bad shed no problem sticky and see if that helps.

Constant roaming can be a sign of stress.

It sounds as though she is "defensive striking" not trying to feed.

Double check all the husbandry, make sure they have enough tight dark hides and that they leave the snake alone for at least a week after they deal with the bad shed.

Then, if the snake seems to have settled in a bit more, try and feed it a half grown mouse ( hopper sized ).

If it doesn't eat it leave it alone for another week and try again.


dr del

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Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

It sounds more to me that she's defensively striking. What's her set up like?

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Exactly. It sounds like it's stressed. Are they continuing to offer food? That'll just prolong the stress. Wait a week or two without disturbing it and then offer food again. It will most likely eat at that time.

Also even my hatchling babies are too big for pinky mice. Try not handling, fixing any setup or husbandry issues. And offering food once she settles down( min 1-2 wk) At this point the more hands on you are with her the more negatively it will affect her.

What are the temperatues on the cold and warm side. Id bet they are way too cold for your friends snake.

Thank you everyone!

I'll get the temp and humidity readings when we're over there next. He is offering food every 3 days or so 'cause he's worried. I'll tell him to give her time. She's looking okay weight wise so I'm not worried about her.