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feeding failure...

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  • 10-16-2006, 10:01 AM
    frankykeno
    Re: feeding failure...
    Just a couple of thoughts (excellent post there Judy...super advice!). Look at that from your little snake's point of view. That's a lot of open space to hunt in when you could be just as likely to be prey as predator exposed like that. Try the newspaper trick. I have a pic somewhere of it so I'll try to post what it looks like. Sometimes with a larger enclosure you could even take a piece of thick cardboard and temporarily divide the enclosure. This keeps the live prey on the same half as the snake but does not crowd them unduly. Never crowd a live prey into your snake's face. Please never restrain a live prey item either. It will make the prey panic and can cause it to be more aggressive towards the hunting snake. A healthy normal BP can handle an appropriately sized live prey item without any human help.


    You may want to pre-scent the area. Put your live mice in a container with a lot of ventilation and sit them on top of the tank lid for 30 minutes minimum before you introduce on to the snake (I call this priming the pump lol). If you aren't feeding after dark, try that as it's the most natural time for your snake to be out hunting. You need to monitor all live feeds but don't hover over the enclosure as your snake will read you as a predator and won't likely hunt it's food.
  • 10-16-2006, 02:56 PM
    munky5435
    Re: feeding failure...
    updated my tank today tell me what you think. i put black craft paper on all 3 sides and crumpled up some newspaper and put it in there.

    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...3/DSC00878.JPG

    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...3/DSC00877.JPG

    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...3/DSC00872.JPG

    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...3/DSC00871.JPG
  • 10-16-2006, 03:09 PM
    JLC
    Re: feeding failure...
    Good start...and the black paper around the enclosure should help. Now...add more newspaper. LOTS more...as in "fill-it-all-the-way-to-the-top" more. And it'll be perfect. ;)
  • 10-16-2006, 03:13 PM
    munky5435
    Re: feeding failure...
    fill it all the way to the top with paper? thats not to much???
  • 10-16-2006, 05:11 PM
    munky5435
    Re: feeding failure...
  • 10-16-2006, 07:15 PM
    JLC
    Re: feeding failure...
    No such thing as "too much" newspaper. ;)


    The last thing I just noticed is that you have a bright white light shining on the tank. That is another potential source of stress. If its there for heat, try switching it out for a red or blue "night" bulb. If it's just there for light...try a lower wattage or even no light at all.
  • 10-16-2006, 08:15 PM
    munky5435
    Re: feeding failure...
    i took those pics with the top off and the light looks really bright but when i have the screen top on i cover it with manilla folders so its just enough light to see in. its not very bright at all. so how long so i need to leave those newspapers in and do i try feeding live again or prekilled or f/t?
  • 10-16-2006, 08:31 PM
    JLC
    Re: feeding failure...
    I know it's not real attractive...but I'd leave the newspapers in until the snake starts eating...and then just take one or two balls out each week...until VERY gradually, they all disappear. But don't even start that process until the snake has eaten a couple times.


    If I were in your shoes, I'd go ahead and try a live feeding with a baby rat. The baby won't be able to hurt your snake, so you can leave them alone together....and get the feeding pattern established and gaining a little weight...and then later try to switch to f/t if that is your preferred method. But if you want, you can still try f/t and see if the newspaper security is enough to get him eating.

    Just remember...whichever method you try...wait a full week from today...let him get used to the new surroundings and learn to trust that nothing but yummy food will ever share it with him.
  • 10-16-2006, 09:09 PM
    munky5435
    Re: feeding failure...
    i have a live small mouse its pretty good size. i tried feeding him last night so would it be ok to try again tonight and leave it in there over night?? i also bought some food for the mosue to put in the tank from which i read it was a good idea to do. the newspaper doesnt bother me anything for my new buddy Momo
  • 10-16-2006, 09:15 PM
    JLC
    Re: feeding failure...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JLC

    Just remember...whichever method you try...wait a full week from today...let him get used to the new surroundings and learn to trust that nothing but yummy food will ever share it with him.

    It's your choice....you can try. But every time you try too soon, you risk stressing him out more and delaying the actual time when he does finally eat. Wait a week.
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