My last hope...

I'll start the story from the very beginning...

I got my first ball from a pretty indecent pet store (which i now know i shouldn't have done) that had their pets just as items to sell. Soon as i seen my pyote i had to get him so i did. I did my research (an till this day still do) on husbandry and all that good stuff and i thought everything was great. Few days after getting pyote i come to find he has mites, not much longer i get p.a.m an few days later hes clear. I also realized he was a bit skinny for a ball but i figured that would change in time as well.

Feeding day came around an he wasn't interested at all. I waited another week an still the same reaction. I did some extra homework an researched all the possibilities an tried most of all the little tricks you guys do on here to get them to eat but none worked. So i felt i should force feed because he started looking pretty skinny with a lot of extra skin. Since i had him i've force fed him which i always hate doing. I've even considered giving him back to the pet shop but i didn't want to give up on him.

Recently its been looking like his skin wants to shed but it just hasn't happened ever since i had him. So im going to try soaking him for a while today.

I talked to some people at the recent reptile expo an they are pretty sure he was an imported snake or not captive breed. Im guessing thats whats making him so difficult. Its really hard to not be able to do much in order to help my pyote but im trying.

If any of you guys have any suggestions or anything please let me know? Thanks

Is he an adult, or a juvenile?

Can you post a picture of your set-up? What do you use to measure temps? How do you heat your enclosure (under tank heater, lamp, etc)?

Are you offering him live or f/t?

He's a baby. Im not sure on the exact age but im guessing no more than 7 months. I can post pictures tomorrow but hes in a 20g flat i have the petco thermo and humidity gages and according to those temp is always 80-90 an humidity is between 50-70. Theres a uth 2 hides one cool one hot, and a plant for extra security.

move him to a tub and use a digital thermometer amd hygrometer it should read 92

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Originally Posted by Melissuhhh

He's a baby. Im not sure on the exact age but im guessing no more than 7 months. I can post pictures tomorrow but hes in a 20g flat i have the petco thermo and humidity gages and according to those temp is always 80-90 an humidity is between 50-70. Theres a uth 2 hides one cool one hot, and a plant for extra security.

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Are the Petco thermometer and gauges the stick on dials? Those can be terribly inaccurate, unfortunately (and cost more than a more reliable Accurite that you can buy at Walmart).

I'd recommend first getting a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer that also measures humidity. The Accurite costs about $12. You may be amazed at the difference in temps.

A 20 gallon "could" be part of the problem, it may be a bit overwhelming in size for a baby. You may want to move him down to a 10 gallon, or even consider moving him into a tub set-up for now to offer additional security to him (more opaque, and less clear, lower ceiling, etc).

Are his hides small and snug enough that he can feel them touching him from all sides, including his back?

How much time does he spend in his hides vs. roaming around his tank?

Just want to thank you for helping me out...

i'll see what i can do about moving him into a tub soon as i can as well as the acurite i've heard a lot about. His hides may be slightly bigger but i'll manage to make them better as well.

He used to roam around alot but after eating he acts like a 'normal' ball by hiding. But he occasionally roams and doesn't use his hides as much as id like but i guess i now see why.

thats really sad :( kingsnake.com has some great info

also r u using a half log because thats no no

half logs are great what are you talking about i mean you don't want to get one from out side but other wise if you get say a zoo med one there great!

zoo med half logs actually any half log is not good at all for a ball python they need to have only one opening in order to feel secure they prefer dark places they feel they can't be found in

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Originally Posted by BallPythonGeek13

half logs are great what are you talking about i mean you don't want to get one from out side but other wise if you get say a zoo med one there great!

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r u joking

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Originally Posted by BallPythonGeek13

half logs are great what are you talking about i mean you don't want to get one from out side but other wise if you get say a zoo med one there great!

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Actually, they are a bit too open, and rarely touch a ball python on all sides and on top of them when they are inside it. They don't provide much security.

Tight, and I mean TIGHT hides provide better security.

Here's an example of a perfectly sized hide for one of Ed's snakes.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ighlight=Hides

thats a VERY old post!

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Originally Posted by Beto510

thats a VERY old post!

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But still has great information! :gj:

how long did u have him before you force fed? I had a similar problem with my ball, got it on sale at petland for $40. he wouldnt eaty for weeks (approximately 7) and i was freaking out, but i stuck with him and made my husbandry as spot on as possible, and he eventually started eating perfectly,
i ALWAYS get a strong response within 15 seconds, the other day the mouse was in his cage for less than one second before he struck it.:D

make sure you stick to a routine for feeding, that you use GOOD hides, keep temps and constant and at the proper levels, if u think he might ahed then raise humidity to about 70% and he will shed. mine looked like he was ready to shed for 10 days and one day i lifted up his hide, and there it was, a very nice complete, one piece shed. Ur tank might be large too, i have mine in a 10 gallon glass, my ball was also small when i got him, about 16 inches long. Hope that helps, he will come around

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Actually, they are a bit too open, and rarely touch a ball python on all sides and on top of them when they are inside it. They don't provide much security.

Tight, and I mean TIGHT hides provide better security.

Here's an example of a perfectly sized hide for one of Ed's snakes.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ighlight=Hides

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I use the Large Exo Terra cave for my o5 male.. And its tight...:gj:

Reptile Cave

PT2851 Reptile Cave Small
PT2852 Reptile Cave Medium
PT2853 Reptile Cave Large
PT2854 Reptile Cave X-Large

just a quick update, i got pyote his tub today and im gonna be setting it up today. :) My hope is coming back for this little guy.

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Originally Posted by Beto510

zoo med half logs actually any half log is not good at all for a ball python they need to have only one opening in order to feel secure they prefer dark places they feel they can't be found in

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i have my baby BP in a half log and she does great i have it against the back of the tub and the sides touch her including the back...and let me tell you her feeding response is crazy she eats every 7 days like a champ and is putting on weight great

having trouble getting your snake to eat? -- http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=99703

Where do I get those turtle shells looking hides? those are awesome!!