Newish Pastel Ball Python eating Concerns

Got a New ball python about a month or more ago.

Came from Petco. They couldn't really tell me anything other then they got him/her about a week before I Purchased him/her. I was able to assist fee on 5-18-16.


Temps of the cage are within the guidelines. As well as the Humidity(within 50-60 event to 65 at times 24/7)

Two hiding areas, Branches and fake tree to climb to the basking area of 94 +or - 2-3.

The furry was frozen and about the size of the biggest part of his/her body.

How often should he/she eat? I've read every week to 10 days but mine does not seem interested.

Any tips or suggestions would be great.

Petco was not very helpful at all although I may go back to get some more information.

He/She is very active. and flicks its tongue often.

Assist feeding is only for emergencies. Read here http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet . If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Petco is not going to be much help. I hope the frozen rodent was thawed and at proper temp before being fed to the snake. Young snakes can eat as often as every five days an item that is the diameter of the largest part of the snake's body. Normal feeding schedule is weekly. Ball pythons can go off food for what seems to us a long time. Adults can go off food for months. Young ones will often stop eating during a shed cycle or when their environment is not right. Care more about how your animal looks, weighs and is behaving than about how often it is eating. Post a picture and we can tell you if it looks healthy or not. Ball pythons do not need to bask. Primarily they should be provided belly heat as it is stated in the care sheet. Hot side and cool side temps are very important if you are not in a situation where you can use ambient heat.

How often to feed depends of size/weight. I feed all mine on a 5 day schedule bc they are still young. Also you should only assist feed if your snake is losing a lot of weight, Do not assist feed every time it refuses food!

Usually a bp refuses food bc there is husbandry problems, after all that checks out it could be a fast. Some questions for you. How do you prepare your frozen rodent? What type and size of cage? What are you using as a heat source? Are you using a thermostat or something to regulate the heat device? What type of device are you using to take temps?

Welcome to the forum! Here is the care sheet, please read and make any corrections and ask lots of questions!

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

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After reading the Care sheet ive found some issues Im going to correct right away. Did not realize Pine was bad for them. Getting rid of that right now. I will post a photo asap.

Assuming it is an hatching here is what I will suggest

Get a 6 quarts tub

Use aspen bedding

Provide a hot spot of 88 degrees max (94 is way too hot)

Get a 6 inches flower pot saucer to use as a hide.

Leave your snake alone for a week (NO HANDLING)

After a week offer a LIVE mouse equal the girth size of your snake, just drop it in the enclosure. (remove if uneaten after 15 min)

Number 1 cause of feeding issues with new snake and owners are husbandry related.

Keep your snake in this setup until it is about 250 grams, than move to a 10 gallons tank if and only if the animal is eating for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DEATHoWAR

After reading the Care sheet ive found some issues Im going to correct right away. Did not realize Pine was bad for them. Getting rid of that right now. I will post a photo asap.

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Any update on your problem?