possible free ball python

I would see about getting the warm side up to 92-94 degrees, the cool side to 82-84 degrees and your humidity is about right. You also might try offering him food in his enclosure, rather than a separate enclosure - he may feel safer with his hides as cover!

If it's any consolation - my juvie ball python has not eaten since October. I weigh him once a week, and he's not losing any significant weight, he's got great muscle tone and he appears healthy (although he is going to the vet on Friday - mainly for sexing - but I'll still have him checked over). I know it's because I can't convince him that it's not winter that's he's not eating, and since he's still healthy (as far as I can tell) I'm just offering him food once a week (I also feed live) and know that once spring comes, he'll more than likely start feeding again!

I'd suggest as Robin did to get his temps up a bit and make sure you are measuring them with an accurate digital not analog instrument (analog stick on type things the pet store sells are never reliable). Also offer him a hide on both sides that are just big enough for him to fit in....basically if there's room for anything but the snake the hide's too big, as a breeder that frequents this forum always says. Some snakes are really picky about their "favorite" hide so I make sure both my hides are identical (just my way though).

We have an adult female that's on winter fast too and a couple of younger females that went on and off feed earlier in the winter. One thing that triggered the two females to start eating again was a suggestion by Adam of 8BallPythons to get the temps up a tad and then make sure the room the snakes were in got 14 hours of daylight (fake or real) and 10 hours of darkness. This apparently can trigger them to believe spring has sprung lol.

We always feed ours in their home enclosures.

Have a good look through the caresheet here as well as the Ball Python threads for husbandry, etc. You may be surprised how much great information you find that may help you decide to keep this snake if that's what you'd like to do.

Oh also, it might not be a bad idea to have a herp vet check the fella out and maybe do a fecal (if he'll poop) if not they can swab the vent I believe to check for any underlying physical problems. Just a thought really.


~~Jo~~

Ditto on the last two posts
Up your temps as suggested, two hides and try feeding in the cage.
Just keep trying to offer food on the same day and time every week
and try the daylight / dark deal.

Some bp's just don't feed during the winter. Keep an eye on him and make sure no real weight loss/muscle tone loss and appears to otherwise act and look healthy.

Do you find he is out and about in the evening/night hours cruising around the tank? If so I would say he just thinks in breeding season.

Good Luck and any other questions please post and we will do our best on the site here to help you out.

Are you going to try the husbandry suggestions, or are you still looking for a new home??????? I'd be interested in giving your pet a new home if that is what is needed.


Just let me know.


R.

^^Word^^

I'd take the BP I'm very responsible and there is a vet 1 block away from where I live and I'd pay for shipping Give me a shout!

If you decide to keep him then good luck!:D