I am in need of help.

So i'm having trouble feeding my ball python & he hasn't eaten in a few months, hes striking at the mice but hes just nipping them, any thoughts?

Fill this out and get back to us. It's the list of questions you are going to get asked anyway. :)

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Questionaire

I did have a problem with Cap not eating the mice, though he showed interested in them. In the end it turned out to be that they weren't getting hot enough and I needed a new way to heat 'em. He recognized the smell, he recognized the movement, but the heat was wrong, so he would observe them briefly, then turn away.

Before you go looking for that, make sure you've done everything else on the list. I'm still kind of a newbie.

1. How long have you had your ball python?

since december

2. How old (or how big) is your snake?

un known about the age, hes about 3 ft long

3. Does it eat on a regular schedule?

i try feeding him on a regular schedule

4. How long since its last meal?

since beginning of february

5. What type/size prey is being offered?

large mice

6. How often do you offer food?

every once or twice a week

7. What type and size of enclosure does it live in?

aquarium

8. What are you using as substrate? If it has depth, how deep is it?

newspaper

9. What type of heating do you use?

heat lamp and heat pad

10. Do you use a thermostat to control temperatures?

no

11. What do you use to measure/monitor temperatures?
temp gun


12. What are the surface and ambient temperatures in the enclosure?
over the heating pad its in the mid 80s


13. What is the average humidity level?

about 70%

14. How many and what type of hides does the snake have?
1 wooden hide


15. Is water readily available at all times?
pretty much


16. Does the snake live alone or does it share the enclosure with anything else?
he lives alone


17. How often and for how long is the snake typically handled?
almost every day


18. Does the snake have any medical history (old injuries or illnesses)?
hes just recovering from a burn on his belly.


19. Do you have any other reptiles? Have you brought in any new reptiles recently?
I have other reptiles, a corn snake and senegal chameleon


20. Is there anything specific or unique about your situation that we should be aware of?
don't think so

Definitely bring your humidity down, I'd say. What were his temps at last check? (Inb4 get your UTH on a thermostat, if he's got a belly-burn you're probably already on top of it but others will most likely mention it as well.)

My tips:
1. get a t-stat and get those heat sources regulated immediately. Hot spots for my snakes are about 88.5 with ambient being about 79.
2. Hes an adult male and could be off feed because of the season.
3. Fresh clean water should be available at all times.
4. Get hides that he fits in and covers his whole body without any kind of exposure. Reptile Basics has hides of many sizes that work really well.
5. Maybe cut back on handling a bit to give him some peace and quiet.
6. Try offering live feeders.
7. Humidity is a bit high.

^^ What he said... x2

Well, clearly he's hungry, he'll strike at the mouse but seems to be unable get ahold of it

Striking doesnt mean hungry. I've had snakes strike a rat just to get it away from them. I feed live so I know their warm enough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Munsonburner

Well, clearly he's hungry, he'll strike at the mouse but seems to be unable get ahold of it

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This isn't always the case. "Nipping" at it could mean he is stressed out and telling you or the mouse to get lost. If he is striking and making contact with the rat but not grabbing on, I would be willing to bet he is not striking out of a feeding response but out of defense.

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