Understanding my own ignorance.

A month ago I bought my first bp. It wasn't a totally impulsive purchase because I had researched before buying but I had no idea how little I understood until I got her home and started having feeding and viv issues. Now I'm desperately trying to furthar my education. Baloo, that's her name, is acting a little irritable and I think she's hungry. The problem is that the only thing I've been able to get her to eat is live fuzzies. The closest place to purchase them is about 15 miles away from my home. I have been buying 1 fuzzy per week but I think she needs more. The problem is that if I'm wrong and she doesn't eat what's offered then I'm stuck with a live baby mouse that I don't have the knowledge or means to take care of.

The other day I went to get her food and I saw an adult pb there. It occured to me that it was the first time I have seen an adult and I have never held one so, again, I recognized my own ignorance. That aside, I love Baloo and am completely committed to her but I need help understanding what makes her tick so I can make her comfortable.

Well the first thing you did right was joining bp.net. everyone here loves animals and it goes way beyond herps but all animals. First off do you know how old your bp is? Or do you have any pics to post? That may help us help you with the food issue. Also you will want to purchase a cheap smal food scale so you can weigh your bp in grams which will also help you realize how much to feed. I strongly recommend you do s much research on caring for your bp and never hesitate to ask for help. Just be specific with your questions and you will get specific answers. Good luck.

How old is baloo?

And do have any specific questions that you needed answers to? Cheers.

Welcome to BP.net!! You are in the right place for answers. Here's the Ball Python Caresheet if you haven't seen it yet. It'll help you a lot.

You said "live fuzzies". Live fuzzy what? Rats or mice? There's a big difference. Depending on your BP's size and age, fuzzy rats might be just right for her. A BP should eat about 10-15% of its body weight per feeding. The easiest way to know this is to have a kitchen scale that measures in grams and weigh your BP. Then weigh the fuzzies. A 500gm BP should eat a 50gm rodent (or 2 rodents that equal 50gm more or less).

So pictures would be great! And a little more detailed information about your baby will also be helpful! Ask away with anything you need!

I was the same way when I got my first BP. I joined this forum and learned so much. I have read so much useful information here. Take the time to look through some of the old threads. Do searches on different topics. Like the others said don't be afraid to ask questions. Enjoy your BP.

Thanks guys, I agree this website is awesome and yes I'm reading as much as my brain can take in each day and also looking through threads that relate to my questions. I'm also posting threads, like this one, just to get to know everybody and address questions I don't find answers for in the forum. Right now I'm dealing with temp/humidity, and feeding issues. The T and H is stable after finding out I was doing it all wrong and getting great advice in here. Feeding has been a little harder.

Yes I have been taking pictures with my cell phone but recently bought a camera to get clearer pictures. Still, I haven't mastered uploading them onto this site yet. lol

I don't know how old Baloo is because no one at Petsmart could tell me anything about her. They said the two bp's they had arrived the day before. I don't really know what sex she is either, I just like thinking she's a girl. hehe What I can tell you is that she's about 18" long and the largest part of her body is about the size of a quarter. The thing that makes me think she's underweight is because I can feel a definite ridge down her back. I's that normal? Anyway, I have offered her several sizes and types of rodent's 2 to 3 times a week but she's only eaten 3 times for me. She ate 1 f/t fuzzy mouse in the first week and has eaten 2 live fuzzy mice since then. I haven't bought more then 1 at a time because she's been so finicky but she's getting irritable and I can't help but think she's hungry.

Other then that she appears to be healthy. I've done the paper towel thing and see no sign of mites. She's yawned a couple of times and I don't see anything unusual in her mouth and she doesn't show any signs of having a respiratory problem.

In closing let me just say that Baloo wasn't my first bp. I originally bought a different bp but it died in the first week I had it. Baloo was the bp Petsmart gave me to honor their garantee. I was so heart broken over the first one that it took me awhile to warm up to Baloo. Now I'm paranoid that I'm going to loose her if I don't get everything right.

If your first died within the first week and your husbandry was at least close to right, I don't think you bought a healthy snake to begin with. My friend had a similar experience. She had hers for two weeks. She had brought it to the vet about a week before it died, and had another appointment to liquid-feed her snake. When it died the vet told her that it wasn't her fault and she had literally done everything possible to save the snake.
It sounds like you really care for your snake! I was a little bit paranoid when I got my Jackson, so I actually took him to the vet for a preliminary health checkup. I know some would call that overkill, especially those who have hundreds of snakes to look after, but it gave me some peace of mind! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by enchantress62

Baloo, that's her name, is acting a little irritable and I think she's hungry. The problem is that the only thing I've been able to get her to eat is live fuzzies. The closest place to purchase them is about 15 miles away from my home. I have been buying 1 fuzzy per week but I think she needs more. The problem is that if I'm wrong and she doesn't eat what's offered then I'm stuck with a live baby mouse that I don't have the knowledge or means to take care of.

---

Mouse fuzzies are usually too small. Try offering her a hopper mouse. When feeding live, the chance of getting stuck with a live feeder just comes with the territory. You can ask the store where you buy it from if they will take it back if uneaten, or you can get a small critter keeper with a water bottle, in case you have to house one for a few days, before offering it again.

I too was thinking of taking her to a vet just to reassure myself that she's ok but I want to correct the things that I know will make her feel more comfortable and secure before spending that kind of money.

As for feeding. I tried a f/t hopper but have not tried a live hopper so another trip to the reptile store is pending. I learned a huge lesson on the last trip. DONT LOOK AT THE BABY MOUSE IN THE BAG! I did and he was so cute and so vulnerable that it took awhile before I could give him up. Then, I had to close my eyes when I put him in Baloo's cage. :O

Hiding after eating is a good sign isn't it? Baloo ate last night and has been hiding ever since.