Concerned about my ball python

Got my baby ball python jan 31st first time owning a snake and all I've been doing latley is worrying about it. Right now the thermometer reads 88 there's also a under tank heater and a bowl with water and a hide. I've done a lot lf reading but my concern is with it's feeding it hasn't eaten since I've got him and I don't know when he was last fed. I offered it a pinky but it didn't seem at all interested in it, I know snakes can go a while without eating but it looks rather thin. There's kinda a fold of skin that runs along the side length of the snake. I haven't tired feeding it again because he is in shed but I hate worrying about him dying! He moves about a few times a day and seems strange to me that he enjoys laying out in the open over his hide unless the under tank heater which sits under his hide is too hot. I find myself knocking on the glass or making sure it's still breathing. Just a bit ago I knocked on the glass and got no response, I know knocking on the glass isn't good as it might stress it out but I can't help but want to make sure it's alive. I picked it up and it became active so I'm not sure if it might have just been sleeping. I've done a lot of reading and had his enclosure set up before I got him but the fact that he hasn't eaten since I've gotten him and looks a bit on the thin side worries me too much. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Can you roughly give me an estimate on how large and old he is? Pictures of your setup would help greatly.

If I'm reading what you're saying correctly it basically hasn't eaten in almost a year? At that point I would really be concerned. Do you have any local hobbyists near you or a breeder? I have several recommendations for things to try but I'm not sure how much experience you have so I don't want you to try something and risk hurting the snake. At this point though something needs to be done.

I meant dec 31 not january** I've only had him for a few days I'm not sure how old he is exactly but he is about 23'. I got him from LLLreptiles I will take some pics of his enclosure in the morning it's 12:46 am here and work at 5 am. Just can't sleep due to worrying. I don't have much experience with snakes this is my first snake. I've had an iguana for 2 years but snakes are very different.

Yea, you're fine then if you meant Dec. I wouldn't worry right now, just make sure your setup is correct and you'll be fine.

Take some pictures of everything and post them. I'm currently at work so nothing will load but I will check on this post when I get home.

Alright I'll take some pictures and post them as soon as I'm off work. I know snakes can be very inactive I would just feel better knowing that it had eaten something, and I'm not sure if the wrinkles on it are due to it shedding.

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Originally Posted by Alx

Alright I'll take some pictures and post them as soon as I'm off work. I know snakes can be very inactive I would just feel better knowing that it had eaten something, and I'm not sure if the wrinkles on it are due to it shedding.

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Not only that, but if you have any questions you should always be able to phone LLLreptile and ask. Part of customer service is even after the sale. I help people always, even if I sell to them or not. I honestly just care about animals. I've flat out refused the sale of animals to people who I didn't think were going to make good pet owners. As long as I'm doing the selling I'm going to make sure that all the animals are going to good homes. I'm a firm believer that since I've either owned the animal at some point or brought that snake into this world that it's my duty to make sure it's provided for since if not it can't provide for itself in captivity.

First of all, what are your temps on the hot side and cool side of the tank? How are you controlling your under tank heater? Also, how are you measuring your temps?

If you just got your snake, leave him alone for at least a week to get used to his new environment. Definitely DON'T tap on the tank because you're stressing him out. As long as the temperatures and humidity are fine he's going to be ok and won't die so stop worrying.

Try feeding him next week and see what happens. I'm sure if you contact LllReptile they'll tell you when and what they feed him.

What kind of enclosure do you keep him in? I'll post a link of how to properly set up a glass terrarium (pretty sure that's what you have him in).

Check out these links please.

How to setup a glass tank:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=201740

Ball Python Care Sheet:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=127203

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Since you've had this snake less than a week, you have no reason to be concerned. Give it a week to settle in, and then you can start thinking of feeding. It may take a couple weeks for it to really start feeling comfortable.

And if you are concerned, call LLL Reptile and talk to them. They are VERY helpful. I've been to their Oceanside and Menifee stores, and have been very pleased with their customer service (though I haven't bought reptiles from them, they've been very helpful with any questions I had or helping me find the feed or supplies I need).

Yes definitely let him settle in for a week, don't tap on the glass. First pinkies are way too small for a baby bp. Mouse hoppers or rat pups are what you want. I would call LLL reptiles and ask what it was eating. And if it was frozen thawed or live.
If your under the tank heater is not controlled that could be why he's on top of the hide, it may be too hot

Ok here are some pics of the enclosure for my ball python. The thermostat I have is hooked up to both lamps and to the under tank heater and set to 90 degrees. The reason I am concerned and got worried is because of the folds on its skin that make it look rather thin. the temp right now reads 90 and the thermostat just switched the heating off and the humidity read 40. any tips or advice and how to better it's enclosure would be appreciated. And I will contact llreptiles to see what he was eating and when he last ate. Another question. Is there a better way heat the tank better without using so many things I have a small undertank heater that sits under its hide. a ceramic heat immiter that I leave on at night that is 100 watts and a 70 what day light on the colder side of the cage (with it being winter it gets cold in the mornings and sometimes throughout the day. Also I randomly hear a sort of click noise that comes from the tank is it coming from my snake? it almost sounds like when my iguana snalts if anyone is familiar with that kinda like a sneeze idk how to describe it. [



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