My ball python won t eat - My BP is stressed - hatchling 101

Every year especially when baby season is upon us, many people become proud new owners of their very first hatchling Ball Python, sadly more often than not the excitement often turn to frustration and worry when their new acquired pet refuse to eat for them.

The good news is that YOU can get your animal to eat on it’s own but for that you will often have to forget everything you read, everything you were told, forget about what YOU want or like and be open to a PROVEN temporary method that has help many get their animal to feed for them.

Ball Pythons unlike other species MUST have their needs met to a T, it is very important especially with an hatchling getting used to a new environment, among those needs SECURITY is the single most important one and should always be kept in mind.

So how can you provide your hatchling with an optimum setup that will get you on track rapidly, leading to a more enjoyable first time experience?

If your hatchling is less than 200/250 grams here is what I always recommend.

First: If your new baby has not fed for you in the first 3 to 4 weeks it is time to act, while adult can go a long time without food younger animals do not and it often becomes a vicious circle (the less they eat the less they want to eat)

Second: Change everything and do it to a T (do not pick and choose what you like)

Ball Pythons unlike other species MUST have their needs met to a T, it is very important especially with an hatchling getting used to a new environment, among those needs SECURITY is the single most important one and should always be kept in mind.

• Use a 6 quarts tub as enclosure; remember this is TEMPORARY, until the animal reaches 200/250 grams and or until you can read and troubleshoot your animal yourself. (Whether you dislike tubs and even if have the perfect 10 gallons setup ready to go, it does not matter what matters it to provide an optimum setup to help your snake resume feeding)
• Provide aspen or coconut chips as bedding, those will allow your new pet to bury itself in the bedding offering added security.
• Provide 1 plastic flower pot saucer as hide (6 inches in diameter), they are very low profile with the top touching your BP’s body, which will provide an even more secure environment.
• Provide a small water dish.
• Provide temperatures of 76/78 on the cool side and 86/88 on the warm side (no higher, this will be achieved with a a UTH combined with a thermostat, you will also need a reliable digital thermometer to achieve those requirements.
• Provide a humidity level of 50%/60%
• Wait a week with no handling and offer a live mouse or rat (depending on what the animal was previously feeding on with the breeder), if you are not sure, or the animal comes from a pet store, offer a live mouse. The ideal prey should be slightly smaller or equal to the girth size (widest part of your BP’s body) – Remember offer in the tub (do not feed outside the tub), close the lid and remove if un-eaten after 10/15 min.

Now keep in mind that it might not work the first time around and in some extreme cases (un-started animals, failure to thrive, rehab) it might take more than one try and some additional measures, but it can be done.
Once your animal takes a few meals for you (3 to 5 meals) you can start handling it and/or even move it back to a different enclosure that is suited for a young animal such as a 10 gallons tank that you will upgrade over time.

Ideal setup

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...lingSetup1.jpg

Ideal hide for above setup

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...iles/Hide1.jpg

Finally a sticky my bp will not eat
thanks for that one deb

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Originally Posted by StillBP

Finally a sticky my bp will not eat
thanks for that one deb

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We have others but this one specifically oriented toward young hatchlings and new owners. :gj:

Great explanation with reasons. :gj:

Thanks for the info, I'll have to get some of those saucers and take the paper towel out. 5 of my 8 babies have not eaten for me yet so I'll have to see if that gets them going.

Now if we can get people to read/search it.
Don't forget to copy and paste the link hen members post for help.

Deb always coming through with the knowledge bomb for the new comers!

Big reasons why I'm only on this forum. People are knowledgable. Even if they seem brash or arrogant it's because these things are PROVEN to work!

Myself after the last 8 years, I've learned different methods but after 8 years it's taken tinkering and lots of advice from people like Deb! Should be bumping this daily so the new keepers can read this and get an upper hand before dealing with a sick or stressed animal! [emoji106]


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Just got it homed and made a wonderful environment. Im 😞 it wont feed? ??? Help!

This helped a ton! Got my baby eating again :gj:

Amazing! Thanks, Deb! Bringing another baby home from work and this will help. Now if people would just search lol.

May I ask what the morph in the first post is please !!?

It's a stunner !!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

May I ask what the morph in the first post is please !!?

It's a stunner !!


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Coral Glow/Banana I'm pretty sure


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

May I ask what the morph in the first post is please !!?

It's a stunner !!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Thanks it's a Coral glow.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Got my boy into a small RUB. He's gotten through through his first shed so far, gonna get him a live rat fuzzy tomorrow morning. I'm glad you wrote this. I am feeling a lot more secure than I was a few days ago, and hopefully so's my little guy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EzraBlade

Got my boy into a small RUB. He's gotten through through his first shed so far, gonna get him a live rat fuzzy tomorrow morning. I'm glad you wrote this. I am feeling a lot more secure than I was a few days ago, and hopefully so's my little guy.

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They are nocturnal so I feed mine evenings ....


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This is great advice, thank you Deborah. I just wanted to add, that the tub size is not as important as the hide size and other details for security. I started my 1 month old tiny hatchling in a very large, adult-sized tub, but with tiny hides to choose from and lots of substrate to burrow in. It was also in a rack, so it was very dark adding more security. He flourished and I switch him to thawed rats immediately. He is growing like a weed and a whopping 188 grams at 6 months old.

So, if you don't have a tiny tub, I would say this detail is not as important for security as is:
1) tiny hides as Deborah recommends,
2) a dark areas, no big "display" cases, and keep dark by blacking out the sides or keeping in a rack shelf.
3) substrate to burrow in as Deb recommends.

Theoretically, if you all you had a was a huge 60 gallon aquarium, as long as the temps and humidity were good, and all the sides were covered for darkness, and there was plenty of tiny hides and clutter, and substrate to burrow in, the hatchling would do fine, as it would have the exact same security needs met, just like in the wild.

Is a 14 3/8 L x 8 1/4" W x 6" H to small of a container for a 106 gram BP? or is that a good size?

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Originally Posted by BPOwner99

Is a 14 3/8 L x 8 1/4" W x 6" H to small of a container for a 106 gram BP? or is that a good size?

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good size, but will be outgrown quickly. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Every year especially when baby season is upon us, many people become proud new owners of their very first hatchling Ball Python, sadly more often than not the excitement often turn to frustration and worry when their new acquired pet refuse to eat for them.

The good news is that YOU can get your animal to eat on it’s own but for that you will often have to forget everything you read, everything you were told, forget about what YOU want or like and be open to a PROVEN temporary method that has help many get their animal to feed for them.

Ball Pythons unlike other species MUST have their needs met to a T, it is very important especially with an hatchling getting used to a new environment, among those needs SECURITY is the single most important one and should always be kept in mind.

So how can you provide your hatchling with an optimum setup that will get you on tract rapidly, leading to a more enjoyable first time experience?

If your hatchling is less than 200/250 grams here is what I always recommend.

Use a 6 quart tub as enclosure; remember this is TEMPORARY, ideally until the animal reached 200/250 grams. Whether you dislike tubs or have the perfect 10 gallons setup ready to go it does not matter what matter it to provide the optimum setup which means cramped.

Use aspen as bedding, aspen will allow your new pet to bury himself in the bedding offering added security should it be needed.

Use 1 plastic flower pot saucer as hide (6 inches in diameter), they are very low profile with the top touching your BP’s body, which will provide an even more secure environment

Provide a small water dish.

Provide temperatures of 76/78 on the cool side and 86/88 on the warm side (no higher) – You will obviously need a UTH, a thermostat and a reliable digital thermometer to achieve those requirements.

Provide a humidity level of 50%/60%

Once you bring your BP home and place him in his new setup, LEAVE HIM alone, I know it is tempting to handle your new friend but it is best to let him acclimate to his new environment until he eats for you.

So now your BP has been home for a week and you have not handle him so what now? Well now is feeding time. Remember getting the animal to eat for you is the priority, switching is not so even if you prefer F/T right now it is irrelevant unless you bought an animal that was eating f/t previously, same goes with rats if the animal was feeding on rats offer rats if not feeding should be as followed:

Offer a live mouse (the ideal size will be equal the girth size of your snake) in the tub (do not feed outside the tub), close the lid and remove if un-eaten after 10/15 min. It might not work the first time around and in some extreme cased (un-started animals, picky eaters, rehab) it might take more than one try and additional little tips, but it can be done, and worry and frustration can become a thing of the past.

This setup will also solve stress issues that can build up over time in very young animals even if they are eating.

If you have additional question you can PM me, I will be happy to share additional tips and trick I might not have covered here.

Finally pictures are worth a 1000 words

Ideal setup

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...lingSetup1.jpg

Ideal hide for above setup

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...iles/Hide1.jpg

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I wish part of the Site Membership requirements included having to read all the Stickies.. Like a probationary period.. Then a 10 question quiz.. If people can answer the basics (cool/hot temps, Humidity, Feeding guidelines and some common sense) then the Full site functions open up for them to use. Its absolutely insane what I've read over the last week. People do more research when they want to buy a TV or Cell Phone for cripe sake.

Can you attach picture of how you have the uth set up on this? :) or will it not melt the plastic? Thanks :)

Thank you Deb!

Does the hide go on the warm side or the cool side? Is it ideal to have two identical hides in a tub (although it probably won't fit)?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DPlant

Does the hide go on the warm side or the cool side? Is it ideal to have two identical hides in a tub (although it probably won't fit)?

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a 6 inch plastic flower pot saucer will fit in a 6 quart tub, and is typically placed on the warm side.

If not a 6 inch plastic flower pot saucer, a frozen dinner individual lazania plastic tray will do as well

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DPlant

Does the hide go on the warm side or the cool side? Is it ideal to have two identical hides in a tub (although it probably won't fit)?

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I use two pangea hides. They fit wonderfully and have great sizes. I did not have much luck with my snakes thermoregulating good with one hide so I used two of these hides.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Every year especially when baby season is upon us, many people become proud new owners of their very first hatchling Ball Python, sadly more often than not the excitement often turn to frustration and worry when their new acquired pet refuse to eat for them.

The good news is that YOU can get your animal to eat on it’s own but for that you will often have to forget everything you read, everything you were told, forget about what YOU want or like and be open to a PROVEN temporary method that has help many get their animal to feed for them.

Ball Pythons unlike other species MUST have their needs met to a T, it is very important especially with an hatchling getting used to a new environment, among those needs SECURITY is the single most important one and should always be kept in mind.

So how can you provide your hatchling with an optimum setup that will get you on tract rapidly, leading to a more enjoyable first time experience?

If your hatchling is less than 200/250 grams here is what I always recommend.

Use a 6 quart tub as enclosure; remember this is TEMPORARY, ideally until the animal reached 200/250 grams. Whether you dislike tubs or have the perfect 10 gallons setup ready to go it does not matter what matter it to provide the optimum setup which means cramped.

Use aspen as bedding, aspen will allow your new pet to bury himself in the bedding offering added security should it be needed.

Use 1 plastic flower pot saucer as hide (6 inches in diameter), they are very low profile with the top touching your BP’s body, which will provide an even more secure environment

Provide a small water dish.

Provide temperatures of 76/78 on the cool side and 86/88 on the warm side (no higher) – You will obviously need a UTH, a thermostat and a reliable digital thermometer to achieve those requirements.

Provide a humidity level of 50%/60%

Once you bring your BP home and place him in his new setup, LEAVE HIM alone, I know it is tempting to handle your new friend but it is best to let him acclimate to his new environment until he eats for you.

So now your BP has been home for a week and you have not handle him so what now? Well now is feeding time. Remember getting the animal to eat for you is the priority, switching is not so even if you prefer F/T right now it is irrelevant unless you bought an animal that was eating f/t previously, same goes with rats if the animal was feeding on rats offer rats if not feeding should be as followed:

Offer a live mouse (the ideal size will be equal the girth size of your snake) in the tub (do not feed outside the tub), close the lid and remove if un-eaten after 10/15 min. It might not work the first time around and in some extreme cased (un-started animals, picky eaters, rehab) it might take more than one try and additional little tips, but it can be done, and worry and frustration can become a thing of the past.

This setup will also solve stress issues that can build up over time in very young animals even if they are eating.

If you have additional question you can PM me, I will be happy to share additional tips and trick I might not have covered here.

Finally pictures are worth a 1000 words

Ideal setup

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...lingSetup1.jpg

Ideal hide for above setup

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...iles/Hide1.jpg

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Deb, How did you get the cut on the flower pot holder so smooth? Sandpaper?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

Deb, How did you get the cut on the flower pot holder so smooth? Sandpaper?

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I use tin snips and then my zippo to smooth it out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

Deb, How did you get the cut on the flower pot holder so smooth? Sandpaper?

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Just used some garden shears :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I use tin snips and then my zippo to smooth it out.

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I don't smoke but have just found a reason to own a lighter!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

I don't smoke but have just found a reason to own a lighter!

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Knife, gun and lighter..... there is always a reason to have quality tools :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

I don't smoke but have just found a reason to own a lighter!

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Or matches & a candle...;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Knife, gun and lighter..... there is always a reason to have quality tools :gj:

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Have the first two. Now need to add the third.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Every year especially when baby season is upon us, many people become proud new owners of their very first hatchling Ball Python, sadly more often than not the excitement often turn to frustration and worry when their new acquired pet refuse to eat for them.

The good news is that YOU can get your animal to eat on it’s own but for that you will often have to forget everything you read, everything you were told, forget about what YOU want or like and be open to a PROVEN temporary method that has help many get their animal to feed for them.

Ball Pythons unlike other species MUST have their needs met to a T, it is very important especially with an hatchling getting used to a new environment, among those needs SECURITY is the single most important one and should always be kept in mind.

So how can you provide your hatchling with an optimum setup that will get you on tract rapidly, leading to a more enjoyable first time experience?

If your hatchling is less than 200/250 grams here is what I always recommend.

Use a 6 quart tub as enclosure; remember this is TEMPORARY, ideally until the animal reached 200/250 grams. Whether you dislike tubs or have the perfect 10 gallons setup ready to go it does not matter what matter it to provide the optimum setup which means cramped.

Use aspen as bedding, aspen will allow your new pet to bury himself in the bedding offering added security should it be needed.

Use 1 plastic flower pot saucer as hide (6 inches in diameter), they are very low profile with the top touching your BP’s body, which will provide an even more secure environment

Provide a small water dish.

Provide temperatures of 76/78 on the cool side and 86/88 on the warm side (no higher) – You will obviously need a UTH, a thermostat and a reliable digital thermometer to achieve those requirements.

Provide a humidity level of 50%/60%

Once you bring your BP home and place him in his new setup, LEAVE HIM alone, I know it is tempting to handle your new friend but it is best to let him acclimate to his new environment until he eats for you.

So now your BP has been home for a week and you have not handle him so what now? Well now is feeding time. Remember getting the animal to eat for you is the priority, switching is not so even if you prefer F/T right now it is irrelevant unless you bought an animal that was eating f/t previously, same goes with rats if the animal was feeding on rats offer rats if not feeding should be as followed:

Offer a live mouse (the ideal size will be equal the girth size of your snake) in the tub (do not feed outside the tub), close the lid and remove if un-eaten after 10/15 min. It might not work the first time around and in some extreme cased (un-started animals, picky eaters, rehab) it might take more than one try and additional little tips, but it can be done, and worry and frustration can become a thing of the past.

This setup will also solve stress issues that can build up over time in very young animals even if they are eating.

If you have additional question you can PM me, I will be happy to share additional tips and trick I might not have covered here.

Finally pictures are worth a 1000 words

Ideal setup

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...lingSetup1.jpg

Ideal hide for above setup

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...iles/Hide1.jpg

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What's the morph of that baby?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShawarmaPoutine

What's the morph of that baby?

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Just a Coral Glow

I got a fussy eater and even though he is six months old, he only weighs 121 grams. When he has eaten, it has been live mice only. Due to several factors, his last meal was February 11th and even though I only have had him for five days, I noticed cruising/hunting behavior last night so I gave him a live rat fuzzy today and perfect strike and no delay in eating!! I am hoping next week to give him another live and then maybe see about f/t. Your post is extremely helpful!

Going to try this starting tonight!

I started this on a 55g baby two nights ago and he still refuses to go into the hide! All over the tub including on top of the hide...but just won't go in. Once I set him in the hide and he hung out for about 10 seconds and then was back out again.

Gradient is 83-->76 air temperature with a 90 degree warm spot under his hide. I'm committed to just "leaving him alone" and assuming he'll eventually figure things out and go into the hide when he needs to...but he seems far more interested in trying to escape the tub than to settle down in his hide. I'm actually a little worried he'll get too cold if he continues to refuse to go into the hide.

use this on my two snakes that have been mediocre eaters at best. within a few days both are eating at every opportunity.

the shift in perspective is a lot. thinking that giving an animal less space is better is difficult to grasp.

Hi Deb!

In such a small enclosure, how do you heat the container?

Thank!

Matej

If anyone has any non or poor feeding snakes please just try the hairdryer method !!


If in doubt please PM me and I’ll send happily send you the detailed explanation


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

If anyone has any non or poor feeding snakes please just try the hairdryer method !!


If in doubt please PM me and I’ll send happily send you the detailed explanation


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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100% agreed. I tried this recommendation from another member, and worked like a charm!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nvmycj

Hi Deb!

In such a small enclosure, how do you heat the container?

Thank!

Matej

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You may not have noticed but this thread started in 2016 & the latest post until yours (& one other) was in 2020, so don't expect Deb to answer. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You may not have noticed but this thread started in 2016 & the latest post until yours (& one other) was in 2020, so don't expect Deb to answer. :D

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hahaha! Didn't notice it at all!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nvmycj

hahaha! Didn't notice it at all!

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Not to worry, we've all done that a time or two. :D