i try feeding ball python but
so ball python hasnt eaten in 4 weeks. a few days ago i put in syrian hamster in its cage to eat i left it there with snake for about an hour. i saw snake try to coil around it by syrian hamster bite or something it let go. happen twice. idk what size my snake should eat. it is 263 grams 1yr old and owner told me to feed it medium size rat prefers live. i thought syrian hamster would be same size. i also try a large X mouse frozen to feed but it wouldnt take it...
also how to tell if snake is hungry or not? i see her(female snake) coiled up by the heat in the day and then pretty active at night wandering around cage. the cage is 90 degrees hot max. and drop it to 80 at night. always a cool water bowl fresh.
im stressed out that my snake is acting like a holocaust jew and will die slowly..pls help/advice
Re: i try feeding ball python but
A good article by ColinWeaver on BP appetite
Can you post a pic of the cage setup? What are you using to measure temps, what's your heat source, etc?
Re: i try feeding ball python but
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Velrys
Hey sorry you posted while I was posting.
Assuming you have a screen cover add a towel over the top to increase humidity.
Why is the heat pad on the side of the tank? I would suggest putting it under the hide. But when you do...
You have no control for the heat, I would suggest a thermoSTAT to control the heat pad.
The opening on the jar is far too large and does not function well as a hide. You can tell because your snake would rather hide behind it than in it...
Even a small box with a hole cut in the side would be a better alternative. Just be sure to keep it dry.
I would suggest that you do not handle the animal again until it is comfortable and eating.
Unless you can get live rats of the appropriate size i would suggest sticking with frozen/thawed food.
When you offered the f/t mouse how did you heat it? What temperature was it when you offered it to your snake?
From what can be seen of the snake it does not look to be overly hungry. So I would suggest focusing your attention on increasing the quality of the environment in the enclosure before getting it to eat. One should even facilitate the other.
humidity is usually at 50-60%. When it gets low I just sprinkle some water on the glass. im going to look for a large mouse soon to feed it. i had a feeling the hamster would be too large but thats what owner told me rat medium size. and yes it weighs 263 grams idk if thats small or what. he did say she was slow to eat and has irregular eating schedule. and yeah about the hide, i dont see it in there that often maybe 30% of the time,70% its usually on the side of the tank or on top of it.
for the mouse. i took it out the freezer and put it in really hot water for 15 min while inside a plastic bag.
Re: i try feeding ball python but
Temperature are likely off get a digital thermometer or even a temp gun, spend a little money and invest in 2 tight identical hides in which the animal really feel secure.
No handling until the snake eats for you.
Now if it was me here is what I would do.
15 quarts tub, aspen bedding, two plastic bowls for hides, 78/80 on the cool side - 88/90 on the warm side....wait a week (no handling) and offer a live rat pup. If that fails wait another week and offer a live mouse.
This is a small snake for a year old and if this snake did not eat on a regular basis with it's previous owner it could be husbandry related or prey related.
Re: i try feeding ball python but
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Deborah
Temperature are likely off get a digital thermometer or even a temp gun, spend a little money and invest in 2 tight identical hides in which the animal really feel secure.
No handling until the snake eats for you.
Now if it was me here is what I would do.
15 quarts tub, aspen bedding, two plastic bowls for hides, 78/80 on the cool side - 88/90 on the warm side....wait a week (no handling) and offer a live rat pup. If that fails wait another week and offer a live mouse.
This is a small snake for a year old and if this snake did not eat on a regular basis with it's previous owner it could be husbandry related or prey related.
Ok . If nothing works should I try assist feeding it? I don't want it to lose weight