Re: I have the same problem
Quote:
Originally Posted by
82cstrong
This is not my first snake or problem eater for that matter but it is my first Ball Python baby...
We got our baby spider new years day and she still hasn't eaten. The breeder said she was eating F/T rat pinkies no problem. She has a very comfy set up with two hides and lots of vines. Her glass tank has aquarium matting around the outside to give her more secure privacy. She has gradient UTH heat cord with temps during the day are 80 and 90 with her night temps at 75 and 85. We check regular with a thermostat gun and a humidity level of about 75 with a shallow dish water source and daily misting. She has a pillow case for substrate because the breeder said not to use substrate yet and it freaks me out using newspaper because of the ink. So I don't think set up is the issue.:confusd:
When she is out of her tank she is an active snake and not lethargic but she acts like her head is too heavy. In her tank she balls up on top of her hide. She has absolutely no interest in eating and shys away from food offered she doesn't even flick her tongue at it. We have tried everything but feed live. We tried braining it and actually got the goo on her mouth and still no reaction. I finally broke down and assist fed her yesterday. Though it was all good once I got it in her mouth she continued to take it down but then this evening i noticed that she regurgitated it.:( :O :(
So now I am at a loss I have no idea what to do with her. :please::please::please::please:
Try appropriate sized live...
Re: I have the same problem
Quote:
Originally Posted by
82cstrong
This is not my first snake or problem eater for that matter but it is my first Ball Python baby...
We got our baby spider new years day and she still hasn't eaten. The breeder said she was eating F/T rat pinkies no problem. She has a very comfy set up with two hides and lots of vines. Her glass tank has aquarium matting around the outside to give her more secure privacy. She has gradient UTH heat cord with temps during the day are 80 and 90 with her night temps at 75 and 85. We check regular with a thermostat gun and a humidity level of about 75 with a shallow dish water source and daily misting. She has a pillow case for substrate because the breeder said not to use substrate yet and it freaks me out using newspaper because of the ink. So I don't think set up is the issue.:confusd:
When she is out of her tank she is an active snake and not lethargic but she acts like her head is too heavy. In her tank she balls up on top of her hide. She has absolutely no interest in eating and shys away from food offered she doesn't even flick her tongue at it. We have tried everything but feed live. We tried braining it and actually got the goo on her mouth and still no reaction. I finally broke down and assist fed her yesterday. Though it was all good once I got it in her mouth she continued to take it down but then this evening i noticed that she regurgitated it.:( :O :(
So now I am at a loss I have no idea what to do with her. :please::please::please::please:
Assist feeding should be a last resort. The snake might have been eating F/T rat pinkies but if she isn't eating that for you, have you tried F/T mice? Live mice? Live pinkie rats or a fuzzy? Was the F/T heated fully through and heat the head with something like a hairdryer to add a little more heat? If guessing when you say 80 and 90, you are talking about warm side and cool side?
As for substrate, I use paper towels on new snakes in quarantine and once they are out, then I switch to aspen.
Are the hides nice and small so the snake feels secure in them?
My little pied girl did the same low head thing when I got her. I think its just a sign they are insecure as now its been a couple months and she is now periscoping all over and no longer is head shy or hides. She loves crawling around once I get her out. She never was a problem feeder though even though she was scared and the petshop said she was a problem feeder. She ate 2 days after I got her home and since then, she eats like a horse. She eats live rat pups and I'm about to up her to small weaned rats soon as she is up to about 386g now.
Has your snake pooped since you got it? I mean the breeder said he was eating when you got it so I would guess it should poop at least once.
Unfortunately if the husbandry is spot on and you have tried everything and the assist feeding ended in a regurgitate, it might be time for a vet check.
