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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
Alright. By the way, is there a specific amount of days I should wait before offering it food again? And also, should I be worrying because the BP has only lose 5 grams in two weeks?
7 days.
at this size, any weight loss is important to note and shouldn't be happening; ball pythons at this age are practically garbage disposals.
any refusals are likely husbandry, prey or stress related, which means something within your control. that should be reassuring. [emoji3]
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Like everyone said, no handling !!
On top of that you have to do everything to make the snake feel safe and comfortable. In one that young, it usually means going to a much smaller and more private enclosure until it eats well.
For now you can try to make the tank more private. Cover the sides and back with black construction paper (taped on the outside). Cover most of the top with a dark towel, just leaving enough open for good airflow or a lamp, if you have one.
Provide substrate for the snake to bury into slightly. Either Aspen or some kind of dark coco coir bedding. Make sure the hides are SMALL enough and dark. The snake has to feel snug. If there is to much free space, add another small hide or some fake plants.
If the snake is very exposed and in a light place, they don't feel safe. At least not until it has become better established at your place.
If you do all that, and things aren't working, you need to offer live food. You can always switch later !! If nothing else works, read the sticky about problem feeders. Sometimes you have to move them into a smaller tub to get a super shy snake eating reliably.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by zina10
Like everyone said, no handling !!
On top of that you have to do everything to make the snake feel safe and comfortable. In one that young, it usually means going to a much smaller and more private enclosure until it eats well.
For now you can try to make the tank more private. Cover the sides and back with black construction paper (taped on the outside). Cover most of the top with a dark towel, just leaving enough open for good airflow or a lamp, if you have one.
Provide substrate for the snake to bury into slightly. Either Aspen or some kind of dark coco coir bedding. Make sure the hides are SMALL enough and dark. The snake has to feel snug. If there is to much free space, add another small hide or some fake plants.
If the snake is very exposed and in a light place, they don't feel safe. At least not until it has become better established at your place.
If you do all that, and things aren't working, you need to offer live food. You can always switch later !! If nothing else works, read the sticky about problem feeders. Sometimes you have to move them into a smaller tub to get a super shy snake eating reliably.
Okay thanks! Does this look like too much open space?
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...C=w223-h167-no
And also, here's a size comparison of the prey and the snake. (I acknowledge the feeding chart but I would like to know what specific type of mouse/rat I should be feeding the snake)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...=w1186-h889-no
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
yes it does! even just one silk vine will be so much better for their security.
EDIT: also cover 3/4 sides with some dark paper or fabric to make the enclosure feel more...enclosed!
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Still a bit big and open.
If you can make identical hides like you have, but smaller openings, it would help. You could even cover some of the front with black paper, just until your snake eats well and is more comfy.
The meal looks a bit small. Do you heat it up correctly? If the heat signature isn't strong enough, it can cause them to refuse.
You might have to go to live meals for a few meals before switching, too..
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by tttaylorrr
yes it does! even just one silk vine will be so much better for their security.
EDIT: also cover 3/4 sides with some dark paper or fabric to make the enclosure feel more...enclosed!
Is it okay if I cover the sides with tinfoil (I did this for insulation).
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by zina10
Still a bit big and open.
If you can make identical hides like you have, but smaller openings, it would help. You could even cover some of the front with black paper, just until your snake eats well and is more comfy.
The meal looks a bit small. Do you heat it up correctly? If the heat signature isn't strong enough, it can cause them to refuse.
You might have to go to live meals for a few meals before switching, too..
Alright I'll try covering the front as well. However, I heard ball pythons need some light to distinguish a daylight/night cycle? And also, I'm pretty sure I heated up the meal correctly as I defrosted the mouse in warm water for 15-20 minutes until it was soft and room temp. And then I used a blow dryer to heat it up some more.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
Alright I'll try covering the front as well. However, I heard ball pythons need some light to distinguish a daylight/night cycle? And also, I'm pretty sure I heated up the meal correctly as I defrosted the mouse in warm water for 15-20 minutes until it was soft and room temp. And then I used a blow dryer to heat it up some more.
they don't need any type of light cycle. as long as they're not stuffed in a closet with no light, they're fine.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
The mouse does look a bit small. With young BP's, aim for a prey item that is 10-15% of the snake's bodyweight. So for a 62 gram BP, you want a 6-9 gram mouse. Basically a smaller hopper.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by tttaylorrr
they don't need any type of light cycle. as long as they're not stuffed in a closet with no light, they're fine.
Alrighty thanks!
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