How to go from force feeding>Assit Feeding>normal feeding!!

I've always had issues trying to keep the humidity levels at a good rate. What I do is spray the tank a few times a day. I got my Digital Terrarium Thermometer Hygrometer today and Now I can get a more accurate readings. So far today I've been able to keep the Humidity level above 50%, it ranges from 50%-75%. That plus the Temperature Controller will help keep the levels I need. My next step is to wait for the new day and night bulbs (75W and 50W) which are coming Wednesday and then by the end of the week the two new hides I got. I know Y'all say they seem huge but they are the smallest I could find at a decent price. he's been ok he's been in his Hide(the large one for most of the time and I saw him moving around last night. For now I have the humidity probe set a little of center near the top, The probe for Temp controller is in the middle of that and the temp probe is off center to the right of that. I took some more pics of my set up. I got all my power strips neater.http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4c4e6cf5.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps19a5b594.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps77d98ec3.jpg

You can't get cheaper than cereal bowls for a buck apiece! Seriously! Do him a favor, run to walmart or wherever and buy some plastic cereal bowls!

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Originally Posted by BigCountry

I've always had issues trying to keep the humidity levels at a good rate. What I do is spray the tank a few times a day. I got my Digital Terrarium Thermometer Hygrometer today and Now I can get a more accurate readings. So far today I've been able to keep the Humidity level above 50%, it ranges from 50%-75%. That plus the Temperature Controller will help keep the levels I need. My next step is to wait for the new day and night bulbs (75W and 50W) which are coming Wednesday and then by the end of the week the two new hides I got. I know Y'all say they seem huge but they are the smallest I could find at a decent price. he's been ok he's been in his Hide(the large one for most of the time and I saw him moving around last night. For now I have the humidity probe set a little of center near the top, The probe for Temp controller is in the middle of that and the temp probe is off center to the right of that. I took some more pics of my set up. I got all my power strips neater.

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Does this mean that your probes are near the top of the enclosure ?? If so, they should be near the floor of the cage, where the snake is.
Also, instead of messing around with a bunch of different day, and night heat bulbs, perhaps a ceramic heat bulb would simplify things.
It doesn't give off light, so it won't bother the snake. Plugged into a thermostat, it should keep your ambient temp good.

I would have to agree with every one else even baby BP's can go a long time without food you need a scale and monitor the snakes weight to determine if it has been to long since it ate by weight drop. If you are force or assist feeding it needs to be pinkies or fuzzys definitely nothing to big. Try live hoppers if the snake doesn't take those wait it out a lil while get all of your probes down on the snakes level so you know what temps the snake is getting. I can assure you although all of the information provided says your doing the wrong thing don't get discouraged every one here is trying to help. You do need to make your BP feel very secure to get it to eat and if moving it to a smaller tub with an UTH is not on your agenda at bare minimum clutter up the cage more fake plants from the craft section at walmart are cheap wash them well first but it will help your lil guy feel more secure and not so exposed also the cereal bowl idea is great another good one is the cheap disposable snack bowls in the baby section it may seem small but a lil guy like that likes his hide to be snug around it. Also for holding in the humidity and some of the heat layer foil over the larger open sections on the screen and then you can tape them but I recommend hot glue it is much safer than tape. Another thing you can try after letting him be for a week is to try dangling the mouse and if your BP doesn't take it try to put your f/t mouse on a lid and set it in the cage in front of the hide and walk away shut all the lights in your room off and check on him in an hour. Another thing we have found helpful when the little guys are refusing is to make it more tempting put a small hole in the mouse stomach so that some of the blood seeps out on its fur always works for our younger stubborn BP.

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Originally Posted by BigCountry

I've always had issues trying to keep the humidity levels at a good rate. What I do is spray the tank a few times a day. I got my Digital Terrarium Thermometer Hygrometer today and Now I can get a more accurate readings. So far today I've been able to keep the Humidity level above 50%, it ranges from 50%-75%. That plus the Temperature Controller will help keep the levels I need. My next step is to wait for the new day and night bulbs (75W and 50W) which are coming Wednesday and then by the end of the week the two new hides I got. I know Y'all say they seem huge but they are the smallest I could find at a decent price. he's been ok he's been in his Hide(the large one for most of the time and I saw him moving around last night. For now I have the humidity probe set a little of center near the top, The probe for Temp controller is in the middle of that and the temp probe is off center to the right of that. I took some more pics of my set up. I got all my power strips neater.

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If he isn't eating on his own, then he probably isn't feeling ok with his hide. Although I personally have not seen those hides that you ordered from petco, if all the other members are correct with what they are saying about their size, then they are definitely too big for your little guy and will probably not help him with feeling more secure. I use these hides from reptile basics; they aren't the most aesthetically pleasing but they give your ball python a very good sense of security and they aren't expensive. I have used them for my girl ever since I have gotten her and she has never had a single eating issue. Your little guy looks like he would fit well in the small hide boxes from what I can gather from your images:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

Also, it might help if you move him into a smaller enclosure. I had my girl in a 6 qt. tub to start. Tubs may not look super pretty but they are inexpensive, come in many sizes, and work great at maintaining humidity. They also give a better sense of security than tanks for your ball python since they usually have a frosted appearance rather than being completely transparent. Hope this helps!

Ok So I have put the two identical new hides in, have the new lower bulbs. 75W for the day and 50W for the night and so far the temps seem much better. during the day they avg 90-92F and the humidity is much better too, I've been keeping it around 60%-75% by spraying a few times a day. I also have lowered the probes to near the bottom of the tank. He was out for a bit today investigating his new hides and so far he likes them. took more pics and he's in the night side hide now curled up like he should. Now granted these are a bit on the big side but they are smaller than what I had. moving him to a plastic tube is not practical, so I will just have to make the most of what I have. I will try to feed him Sunday night or Monday night. I do appreciate everyone's in-put! http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps05894f52.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...psf94e7127.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps93704a1d.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...pse83e6fe2.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4ba12a60.jpg

let us know how hes doing and if he accepts the food when you offer

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Originally Posted by Dark Lady Kat

let us know how hes doing and if he accepts the food when you offer

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I went to check on him tonight and attempt to feed him and no go, His eyes are a bluefish color and he's in the process of a shed. So That will have to wait. For now I've been making sure the temps are good. I put a towel over the cage when I'm home to help with the humidly levels.

Well I've made progress, he finished his shed the other day and today I went to feed him and I only had to assist feed him, I put the mouse near his mouth and he opened up and took care of the rest. http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0dfee47d.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps81c56eae.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps538ec19b.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps606e78ab.jpg