medusa is not eating. may have something to do with the husbandry???

hey guys, i bought a few month old normal ball python about 2 weeks ago... and the guy said she hasn't eaten in 2 weeks and i could feed her when i wanted... what he failed to tell me was she was normally being fed LIVE rat pups... i was trying to use f/t for 2 weeks... i haven't tried live yet... but maybe it could also be an issue with the way my cage is setup? it stays 87-90 on the warm side and about 80-82 on the cold and 40-60% humidity with a uth AND incandescent heat lamp... (55 gallon tank) i dont like the tank though... its only 12" wide.... 48 long and 20 tall... there is 1 main hide on the warm side with a semi-hide, and 2 hides on the cold side with 2 or 3 semi-hides... the hides are fairly size appropriate... well heres a picture... comment to help?

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I would try those Exo Terra cave hides. The hide should be snug and completely cover the animals body. Switching from live to frozen thawed can take a while so...

For a cage that big, your tank is far too open. Ball pythons are very private animals, and they do not like big open spaces. Get as many tight hiding spaces and as much cover as possible when using a large tank!

I'll start with the obvious...that's a huge tank...she's probably feeling a bit insecure...personally I'd take all that stuff and toss it in a dumpster...:D But that's probably not what you want to hear, so to get her started, I'd put that in your closet, pick up a small rubbermaid/sterilite tub and keep her in that for now. Put it somewhere dark and quiet. Give her a tight fitting hide and a small water bowl. Leave her alone for a couple day and then try feeding again with a live rat pup or mouse...

and slightly off topic, but your user name creeps me out...:D

heres a picture of medusa... btw i bought everything with medusa for $200 so :D

btw ik my hand looks like im squeezing her. but my fingers where barely holding onto her lol

but i like the display idea... she is currently my only snake... moving and all so...

shes prolly about 2.5-3' long

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Did the seller tell you exactly how old she was?

Honestly balls don't like being seen. I managed to make it work with a ball python in a 55 gallon tank but it took a LOT of work, more than most people are willing to put up with. Custom built cage top to hold in humidity, TONS and TONS of cover through hides, fake plants, decor, etc. Anything that Maru could squeeze tight into to avoid being seen and feel safe.

But then I realized I had a beautiful tank with an invisible snake, because when a ball python feels safe, they hide. They just aren't very good display snakes unless you want to display their hides :P lol! They will become more active at night, though, but no one's really around then. The one thing I do like about big tanks is they allow for a HUGE temperature gradient, which tubs don't really allow. Maru used up every inch of that tank to get all those temps, but he was hiding during most of the time, not like traveling.

Eventually when I got more animals I moved maru to a tub because it was easier, but I am still planning on building him a custom cage so I can have the temperature gradients I feel are good, while still having it a smallish secure cage.


Corn snakes are just as easy(or easier) than ball pythons and a bit better about being display animals in a large tank. Plus, they are diurnal so they are up and about during the daytime!

think he said something around the 3-6 month old range? this is very true... i may sell the tank and but 2 smaller 1s :D

Like mentioned above, a ball python needs security. A happy healthy ball python always eats. I have rescued balls that were housed in aquariums, when I switched them to tubs they had zero issues eating.

If you refuse to switch to a tub (which is more than fine) provide at least 3 hides and as many fake plants as you can.

Before you change everything, try to feed her what hes use to eating. My normals have 40 gallon tanks each, they eat fine. As long as your big tank has plenty of hides, and clutter, should be fine. When she gets use to her new surroundings and is eating live pups for you them try to slowly try f/t.