Advice

So new bp owner, had the little guy for about 3 weeks, he's a two and half year old pinstripe. The pet shop was feeding him f/t large mice every other sunday. The week i got him was the feeding week for him and after the move i waited one extra week before feeding him. So he has yet to eat, and i havent held him yet because i was told to wait till at least after his first feeding.

I've learned to check his heat, and humidity that's all good. Just need to get a better hide for him doing that soon. Was wondering if i should be alittle worried he hasent eaten in 4 weeks. Last time i offered him a mouse i learned if i heat it up under his lamp he shows more interest. Was wondering if maybe i try a smaller size mouse he mite go for it?

They can go over a year without eating. 4 weeks is absolutely nothing to them.

No need to worry or change size.

What you do need to do is make sure that your BP has proper temperatures/humidity/hides these are the building blocks to having a happy BP.

Also make sure that you heat the rodent up to 100 degrees. No more, no less. 100 degrees is the body temperature of a rat so it is the temperature that they look for. Too cold and your BP won't even notice it, too hot and you risk cooking the rodent... And that leans to numerous problems.

now what about handling him, dont want him to become unfriendly.

Not handling him won't make him unfriendly. Just the opposite. You shouldn't Handle him until he eats. Handling him could stress him out, which can lead to aggression.

Ah, thanks for the info, and last question. Would it stress him out to put in a better hide and take out his old one. I let the pet shop talk me into the half log before i knew it wasnt actually that great.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Too cold and your BP won't even notice it

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I've had balls hit room temp rodents with out thinking twice about it...:gj:.

OP, keep your husbandry on point and he'll eat when he wants to. If you get worried, try live, try a rat, etc...a 2 1/2 year old male not eating is quite common.

Putting in a good hide is the best way to reduce stress, I would do so as soon as possible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RobNJ

I've had balls hit room temp rodents with out thinking twice about it...:gj:.

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Sounds like my Normal haha he won`t touch it if it is warmer then 96 where my Lesser wont look at it unless it`s 100

Did the pet shop mention why they are feeding a 2.5 year old ball python mice? And every other week at that?

Once your guy get's settled in and eating, you really need to think about bumping up his prey size.