My ball python has been eating regularly, but still appears underweight?

Hi!

When I got my ball python a couple months ago, she had a little hunger strike while I tried switching her from live to f/t. It took maybe 2.5 weeks, but then she started eating regularly, and has been successfully eating a large mouse every five days since. But she still looks skinny and her skin is really loose. I don't know-do I need to start feeding her something else? Someone suggested feeding her a small rat, but she's only 20" and a small rat seems like it would be a little big for her. Am I in the wrong? Any suggestions?

Pictures?


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My 24 inch BP takes two fuzzies every five to seven days and is nice and plump, and has added four inches since I got her. She is shedding every four or five weeks. Generally you should feed a prey item equal to the maximum diameter of the snake. I started with smaller prey items, because my snake was thin when I got her. Her previous owner didn't have husbandry correct so she wasn't eating. A single fuzzy is actually too small for her, so I am doubling up. I will be switching to larger mice as soon as my last few fuzzies run out.

Considering the food requirements and minimal energy expended by a ball python, a single large mouse should be sufficient if it is given every five days. Perhaps there is something else keeping her from gaining weight. How long has it been since the hunger strike ended?

David

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Originally Posted by theoremofgoats

Hi!

When I got my ball python a couple months ago, she had a little hunger strike while I tried switching her from live to f/t. It took maybe 2.5 weeks, but then she started eating regularly, and has been successfully eating a large mouse every five days since. But she still looks skinny and her skin is really loose. I don't know-do I need to start feeding her something else? Someone suggested feeding her a small rat, but she's only 20" and a small rat seems like it would be a little big for her. Am I in the wrong? Any suggestions?

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Hi, small rat may seem to big to you but have you looked at the widest part of her mid body? That is usually the rule to go by. In general a weanling rat is sufficient for a young bp. I don't know which is easier for you to get but you can also consider jumbo mice as a alternative to large mice. Personally, I would go for the weanling rats. More nutrition and more of a natural prey item. Good luck. :gj:

Pics would help. Also, how old is your snake and how much does s/he currently weigh?

If your snake eats an appropriately sized prey (equal it's girth size if it's an hatchling or juvy) once a week but fail to put on weight I would recommend to have a fecal done.

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Originally Posted by nightrainfalls

My 24 inch BP takes two fuzzies every five to seven days and is nice and plump, and has added four inches since I got her. She is shedding every four or five weeks. Generally you should feed a prey item equal to the maximum diameter of the snake. I started with smaller prey items, because my snake was thin when I got her. Her previous owner didn't have husbandry correct so she wasn't eating. A single fuzzy is actually too small for her, so I am doubling up. I will be switching to larger mice as soon as my last few fuzzies run out.

Considering the food requirements and minimal energy expended by a ball python, a single large mouse should be sufficient if it is given every five days. Perhaps there is something else keeping her from gaining weight. How long has it been since the hunger strike ended?

David

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I've had her for about two months, and she wouldn't eat for the first two and a half weeks, but since then she's been eating a large mouse every five days like clockwork. Humidity is good, but temps have been slightly off-I live in Minnesota where it tends to be freezing during this time of the year and my heat has been wonky. A guy's coming out to fix it on Monday. I have an UTH and a lamp, but the ambient temp's been in the higher seventies rather than the 82-84 range that I like.

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Originally Posted by Lizardlicks

Pics would help. Also, how old is your snake and how much does s/he currently weigh?

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I tried taking some pictures but it's completely unnoticeable in them, haha. I took her in from a friend who bought the snake at stupid Petco, and then he decided that he didn't want it. I didn't want him to bring the ball python back to the store so I said I'd take her, and I don't know how old the snakes usually are when they're at Petco. Also I have no idea how much she weighs. I guess the loose skin is more concerning than the weight-I just took her out and she actually doesn't seem too underweight. She's actually gained a little weight since her little hunger strike.

Is it possible that she could be going into shed? Because that hasn't happened yet.

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Originally Posted by theoremofgoats

Is it possible that she could be going into shed? Because that hasn't happened yet.

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Sure it's possible. Loose skin, especially near the base of the neck, is a decent indicator of an upcoming shed.

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Originally Posted by theoremofgoats

I've had her for about two months, and she wouldn't eat for the first two and a half weeks, but since then she's been eating a large mouse every five days like clockwork. Humidity is good, but temps have been slightly off-I live in Minnesota where it tends to be freezing during this time of the year and my heat has been wonky. A guy's coming out to fix it on Monday. I have an UTH and a lamp, but the ambient temp's been in the higher seventies rather than the 82-84 range that I like.

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Undernourished BP's have a very distinctive look. The spine starts to show, and the body gets a steepled look to it. If you can't see how undernourished the snake is in a photo, then it is probably not undernourished.

Is your snake's dorsum well rounded?
Can you see the spine?
Is it just loose skin that is worrying you?
Is the snake's belly pink at all?
Are the snake's eyes cloudy at all?
Are the snake's colors dull?
Does the snake have a clean fresh water source?
Does your snake have a high humidity hide?

David