must I use hide box for shy ball python?

My Champagne is around 750g and I bought her almost three months ago. She`s only shy ball python in my collection. She`s really stubborn eater that she never eats when it`s bright and always rushes into hide box when she sees me. She`s eaten pre-killed or live rats so far but from 2 weeks ago stopped eating without any reason and always acts like a chicken. She`s shed a month ago so I don`t think she`s in shedding process. So, I`ve just removed the hide box to change her habit.
I don`t want her to act like a chicken. Do you guys think hide box is must be used for ball python? I see some of large scale breeders don`t use hide boxes for all of their balls.

I would recommend doing whatever she needs in order to feel secure and safe enough to start eating again.

Have you read Colin Weaver's recent article on this topic?
http://ballpythonbreeder.com/2014/08...thon-appetite/

Good luck!

Some times people focus on efficiency of cleaning and don't make changes until it effects egg production. There's been a lot of evidence to suggest that a shy ball python will eat just fine once it's in an enclosure with an appropriate hide. You might have to experiment a bit to get the temps in the hide right as well as the size and opening. I'm not a fan of keeping ball pythons without a hide because they will feel secure only when nestled into something. Have you read Colin Weavers or Justin Kolbylka's articles on substrate on cleanliness regarding picky eaters?

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HAHA Eric squeezed that comment in at the same time. Sorry for the redundancy.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

I would recommend doing whatever she needs in order to feel secure and safe enough to start eating again.

Have you read Colin Weaver's recent article on this topic?
http://ballpythonbreeder.com/2014/08...thon-appetite/

Good luck!

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Thanks for sharing~

Common sense will tell you that if something is needed then it should be provided regardless of however else other people keep their animals.

If your BP is having issues with feeding not providing added security is not gonna help.

I don't provide hides as a general rule however over the year I have had made exception here and there for some animals.

With BP it's not a one fit all.

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Originally Posted by alan12013

Some times people focus on efficiency of cleaning and don't make changes until it effects egg production. There's been a lot of evidence to suggest that a shy ball python will eat just fine once it's in an enclosure with an appropriate hide. You might have to experiment a bit to get the temps in the hide right as well as the size and opening. I'm not a fan of keeping ball pythons without a hide because they will feel secure only when nestled into something. Have you read Colin Weavers or Justin Kolbylka's articles on substrate on cleanliness regarding picky eaters?

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HAHA Eric squeezed that comment in at the same time. Sorry for the redundancy.

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Yeah, I did read his article about regarding picky eaters and that`s why I`m trying to give some change to my shy girl.

However, I think removing hide box is not a good idea...

Thanks for your reply~

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Common sense will tell you that if something is needed then it should be provided regardless of however else other people keep their animals.

If your BP is having issues with feeding not providing added security is not gonna help.

I don't provide hides as a general rule however over the year I have had made exception here and there for some animals.

With BP it's not a one fit all.

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Yes, now, I`m strongly believe that I must use hide box for shy and picky eaters.

thanks for your advice.

You're not going to be able to force your snake to "not be a chicken"; if it needs a hiding spot to feel secure, it needs a hiding spot to feel secure.

While many big breeders don't always offer hides, they often do for certain snakes, so there is an excellent chance you are just not seeing the snakes that have been offered hiding spots.

The information provided has been great :) Good luck, hopefully your shy snake gets into a regular feeding routine.

-Jen

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Originally Posted by LLLReptile

You're not going to be able to force your snake to "not be a chicken"; if it needs a hiding spot to feel secure, it needs a hiding spot to feel secure.

While many big breeders don't always offer hides, they often do for certain snakes, so there is an excellent chance you are just not seeing the snakes that have been offered hiding spots.

The information provided has been great :) Good luck, hopefully your shy snake gets into a regular feeding routine.

-Jen

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Thanks, :D

I give all my snakes hideboxes whether they want them or not :rofl: