Feeding video Tell me what im doing wrong

She hasent eaten in almost a month could you guys help me out please

YouTube - Baby Ball Python Problems

does anone else think that the water bowl is too high?

looks like a stressed bp. try tighter hides so shes actually inside them? wut r the temps? and hows the humidity?

She was breathing like she wanted it.

I think you have a very stressed BP, and I have a few theories of why your BP is stressed.

First, the enclosure looks too large for that small of a BP. Clutter it with decor plants or just crumble up newspaper. The water dish also looks too large and too high.

Second, the hides are much too large. Get/make two identical hides that are not too small, too high, or too large for the snake. You will need hides that tightly fit the snake, and so you know nothing really is too small for a BP. They like to crunch themselves into small areas, so get/make a hide with only one entrance that it touches the BP on all sides. Dog dishes or flower pots work wonderfully.

Third, what are your temperatures on both sides and your humidity level?

as mentioned, the hide and water bowl are way too big. since you're feeding rat pups, try getting a dark bedsheet and wrapping the tank up so it's nice and dark. Add the rat pup close to the bp but not on top of her, leave them and check back every 30 minutes. Often times high side tanks will cause alot of glare and stress the snake out. She wants to eat but something like a reflection is spooking her.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carzy Driver

as mentioned, the hide and water bowl are way too big. since you're feeding rat pups, try getting a dark bedsheet and wrapping the tank up so it's nice and dark. Add the rat pup close to the bp but not on top of her, leave them and check back every 30 minutes. Often times high side tanks will cause alot of glare and stress the snake out. She wants to eat but something like a reflection is spooking her.

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I don't think snakes could really see their own reflection off of glass, maybe a mirror, but probably not glass. The wide open space and clear 4 sides of the tank is probably putting a lot of stress on her. All he needs to do is cover up all sides besides the front to help the snake feel more secure, since the snake feels like its out in the open along with the open cage space.

I wouldn't "tease" her with a live rat like that, because it could be scaring her off the prey. I know that mine won't eat if they get spooked, which happens if the mouse/rat bumps them - especially on the nose. Just drop in the rat (don't even use tongs), close the lid, and let the snake find it on her own.

Also follow the suggestions others gave you about the tank, as that could be causing her stress as well. Finally, have you tried feeding mice and/or thawed instead? My first BP Delilah wouldn't eat for nearly a month, until we discovered she just hates rats... once we started offering live mice, she became an eating machine. :gj: Good luck!

Everything in that enclosure is far too large for her. The enclosure as well.


Also. have you tried feeding live?( Ah, you are attempting. just watched the video, live rat is good. mice generally work better, i feel. but hey everyone has different experiences.) I STRONGLY suggest you attempt feeding a live SMALL ADULT mouse.

After you have corrected your husbandry, don't try feeding your BP for another week and don't bother her, just so she can lay off some stress and get used to the new enclosure.

When you do feed her next, try feeding her pinkie rats. If the pinkie rats are too small, try rat pups. These two rats cannot see and they cannot bite your snake, so it's completely safe to leave it in the enclosure for your snake to get on its own. When you do feed, feed at night. Put the rat in the enclosure, turn off all lights, makes sure it's dark in the room, and close the door. This way your snake has privacy to hunt and eat without someone standing there watching. They also are most active at night, so keeping all lights off will really help.

This method helped me out when my Dumeril's boa refused food for two whole months. Hopefully, this method will work for you.

Just as everyone else has said, -everything- is much too large for her. I'd clutter it up and give her an adult mouse, a small one would probably be best. Those hides are very big for her..balls like to feel hugged on all sides, including from above. And covering the sides and back of your tank with black paper or something opaque would also help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carzy Driver

as mentioned, the hide and water bowl are way too big. since you're feeding rat pups, try getting a dark bedsheet and wrapping the tank up so it's nice and dark. Add the rat pup close to the bp but not on top of her, leave them and check back every 30 minutes. Often times high side tanks will cause alot of glare and stress the snake out. She wants to eat but something like a reflection is spooking her.

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Hey guys and girls here is some pics of her tank the tank is only a 10 gallon i dont really know how to go any smaller then that..

Alot of you mentioned the water bowl and if she is soaking in the water dish do you guys think she still needs a smaller water dish... I guess im just wondering cause she does soak it in alot.

Also the hides the one i know is a bit big but when i put the smaller one in there she wont even dare to go in it i even placed her in it and she slithered right out of it so do i take the big one out or leave it in there???

And the blocking of the tank i can defiantly do that as a matter of fact i will show you a before and after pic let me know what you think....

Temps on the warm side where her hid is about 88 to 89 the middle prolly 80 83 and the cool side no lower then 79 humidity is a constant 50%

After i get all this done and fixed how long do i wait till feeding her again

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01810.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01811.jpg

BEFORE

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01812.jpg

AFTER

The tank is too open, meaning, you will need to crumble up newspaper or put in decor plants/foliage because there is too much open space.

The hides need to be identical and hug the BP on all sides. Get or make two identical hides so the snake does not have to choose between which it likes more. Choosing between which it likes more is a definite problem because the snake does need to thermoregulate.

If the snake is soaking a lot, it may be preparing to shed, or could have something else wrong with it. Try looking for mites. Normally snakes will constantely soak when they have mites to drown them.

if she is soaking, this could mean a number of things:

1) shes in shed, so BOOST the humidity

2) the humidity isnt high enough, so BOOST the humidity

3) she could have mites, so CHECK YOUR SNAKE ASAP - look near the vent, or the nose / eyes. the bp could be trying to drown them.

EDIT: oh poop (LOL) i just x2'd YOU. oh well ^-^ ppl like lists LOLLLLz.

and me too!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by h00blah

if she is soaking, this could mean a number of things:

1) shes in shed, so BOOST the humidity

2) the humidity isnt high enough, so BOOST the humidity

3) she could have mites, so CHECK YOUR SNAKE ASAP - look near the vent, or the nose / eyes. the bp could be trying to drown them.

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x2

Btw, I love your siggy lol!

She is stressed. Very stressed from the looks of it. Your hides are WAY to big for that tiny snake. The bucket thing is also waaay to tall.

The clay hide is better but still twice as big as it needs to be. Try using small opaque bowls with a small doorway cut out.

You could also get some fake foliage to help give her a better sense of security.

Im sorry i should not have said she is soaking alot but she does every once in a while go in her water dish i was just making point that the water dish really isnt that high lol but i am going to give you another picture i just changed the hide so let me know what you think..... I know i need to get her some fake plants and will tomm but for now tell me what you think....

also are you guys sure she can handle a small adult mouse or a rat pinky i feel like that is so big for her???

here is new pic

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01813.jpg

It's still kind of high, and it HAS to be identical to the other hide and make sure there are no other holes in the hide. Make sure there is just ONE hole and that hole is for the snake to slither in and out of.

Here are my thoughts.

1) Where is your thermometer/hygrometer to measure temps and humidity?

2) What are her temps and humidity?

3) Did she ever feed for the breeder you got her from?

4) She needs two small snug hides like the plastic flower pot saucer one I have in this picture - entrance cut out with solder wand

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...ub/BabyTub.jpg

There's really a baby under there:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...b/PretzelA.jpg

5) Don't dangle prey directly over her - that's very intimidating to her - instead, put the live prey in the enclosure at the opposite end of where she is and let it wander around and allow her to ambush hunt it from the smaller, tighter hides suggested above.

6) How are you heating the enclosure?

7) Fill that tank up with loosely crumpled newspaper to help her feel more secure and after a week, drop in a live hopper mouse and walk away. Check back in 1/2 an hour - hopper mouse should be gone.

8) Start to gradually "wean" her off of the newspaper by removing a piece or two every few days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

x2

Btw, I love your siggy lol!

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Hey Got a update on tank let me know what you think

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01815.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01814.jpg

I like what you have done with the tank. Looks alot more accomodating to her. I'm going to give you some tips from a different persepctive. This may start a rucus, but I believe you should be subjected to different opinions on snake husbandry and not just the "all might powerfull" people on this forum.

So, my suggestions. Take them or leave them If you wish, i'm only pointing out in my 14 years of owning snakes, these methods have worked.

1) The water dish is really not that high. I wouldn't worry about that.

2) The hides do not need to be identical, this is even up for debate on these forums. I have never had two simular hides, my snakes do fine, choose what you like. I do however agree that your move to that pot is a better idea.

3) I suggest moving her to a small container when you feed her. BP's love security when they are eating, a small dark container fits the mold. I use a petsmart box that they put small animals in. But anything that is dark and has some sort of cover would work. I also suggest dipping your feeders into either tuna juice, or making the feeder bleed a bit. This seems to stimulate them to eat. Put your snake in the box, drop in the feeder, close the box and leave for about 30 minutes. This has gotten my most reluctant of snakes to eat.

4) If I were you, I would test out these methods in 48 hours. Let your snake settle into the new environment and try again.


And a few questions,

1) Has your snake shed yet?
2) How old?

Snakes tend to go on hunger strikes. After another month, then I would start to worry. Right now, your snake seems a little stressed. But nothing it won't get over. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitfireashlea

I like what you have done with the tank. Looks alot more accomodating to her. I'm going to give you some tips from a different persepctive. This may start a rucus, but I believe you should be subjected to different opinions on snake husbandry and not just the "all might powerfull" people on this forum.

So, my suggestions. Take them or leave them If you wish, i'm only pointing out in my 14 years of owning snakes, these methods have worked.

1) The water dish is really not that high. I wouldn't worry about that.

2) The hides do not need to be identical, this is even up for debate on these forums. I have never had two simular hides, my snakes do fine, choose what you like. I do however agree that your move to that pot is a better idea.

3) I suggest moving her to a small container when you feed her. BP's love security when they are eating, a small dark container fits the mold. I use a petsmart box that they put small animals in. But anything that is dark and has some sort of cover would work. I also suggest dipping your feeders into either tuna juice, or making the feeder bleed a bit. This seems to stimulate them to eat. Put your snake in the box, drop in the feeder, close the box and leave for about 30 minutes. This has gotten my most reluctant of snakes to eat.

4) If I were you, I would test out these methods in 48 hours. Let your snake settle into the new environment and try again.


And a few questions,

1) Has your snake shed yet?
2) How old?

Snakes tend to go on hunger strikes. After another month, then I would start to worry. Right now, your snake seems a little stressed. But nothing it won't get over. :)

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My snake has shed once before i got her and she is probably 2 months old right now what are you thinkin???

-Sent pm-

For anyone else looking in, I suggested he try the feeding options listed on this thread. I also suggested he post a better picture of the snake, so we can get a better view of her health.

My opinion as of yet is she is probably just on a hunger strike. Her age makes it easier to let her have these fits, since she can go longer without food. However, it is dangerous to let her go much longer.

Give her 48 hours, try to feed, if she doesn't go for it, you may need to consider force feeding.

Keep us posted. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitfireashlea

-Sent pm-

For anyone else looking in, I suggested he try the feeding options listed on this thread. I also suggested he post a better picture of the snake, so we can get a better view of her health.

My opinion as of yet is she is probably just on a hunger strike. Her age makes it easier to let her have these fits, since she can go longer without food. However, it is dangerous to let her go much longer.

Give her 48 hours, try to feed, if she doesn't go for it, you may need to consider force feeding.

Keep us posted. :)

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Here are some pics of her some with flash and some without also i will try to feed another pinky rat sunday is this a good idea???

Here are pics

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01824.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01826.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...s/DSC01825.jpg

im new with bp and my male,around 10 months old,has not been a problem feeder.i feed live mice,2 a week,and tonight was the first time i got him to take from tongs.untill tonight i tried tongs,i hold the mouse 4 or 5 inches from him and let him come to it,but he had no intrest untill i let the mouse run around freely.you could try that.i do not have identical hides,but he does use both of them with no problem.my guy i belive was stressed when i first got him,arond a month ago,but after covering the sides of my tank with fake plants and giving him time he seems to have come around.good luck you have got lots of good advice from more experienced bp owners than me!

This is also something that I am sure will be debated, I personally think she looks thin. You may want to try feeding tomorrow and wed, if she does not eat either of those days, then you may want to force feed. I'm not proposing that she is deathly ill looking or extremely small, just suggesting she's a lil skinny.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitfireashlea

This is also something that I am sure will be debated, I personally think she looks thin. You may want to try feeding tomorrow and wed, if she does not eat either of those days, then you may want to force feed. I'm not proposing that she is deathly ill looking or extremely small, just suggesting she's a lil skinny.

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yea i can tell she is very skinny by the way she slithers through my fingers but it does seem she is happy cause she never sits there constantly roaming through my fingers nice and slow lol i will try tomm get back to you and then wed if not then yes force feed will have to be done thanks everyone for the help i may need help with the force feed lol

if you think the animal is not doing well, BRING IT TO A HERP VET. Do not attempts to forcefeed unless you have experience doing so. Forcefeeding is ALWAYS a last resort.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitfireashlea

This is also something that I am sure will be debated, I personally think she looks thin. You may want to try feeding tomorrow and wed, if she does not eat either of those days, then you may want to force feed. I'm not proposing that she is deathly ill looking or extremely small, just suggesting she's a lil skinny.

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Never have I knocked anyone here on this forum, but I wouldn't really listen to this guy. Force feeding should definitely be your LAST option. And you haven't taken it to the vet.

First off. 10 gallon tank is perfectly fine.

Second, I'm pretty sure that you've heard people who smoke cigarettes all their lives, and nothing ever happens to them. Regardless, we are advised not to smoke cigarettes because it MAY be hazardous. The word of the day would be "optimum"


Your BP is not eating...and you are concerned. I think at this point, you want what's BEST for your BP. So you don't want your snake to do just fine, you want it to be good.

So with that in mind. I would suggest two identical hides, Rabernet's suggest was best.

Check your husbandry: Make sure you have the right thermometers (acurite is most recommended) and that he has the right heat sources. I do not recommend that overhead fluorescent (or day bulb, I can't tell). Make sure your humidity is being checked properly, check this link in case its hard for your humidity to stay up, http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=90187

Check the caresheets here, I'm pretty sure you know where they are located...

I would also use something dark to cover the sides of your enclosure, paper won't really cut it, either paint it with some acrylic paint (the type you use for canvas) or cover it with black styrofoam (can someone chime on this since i don't know where to get it?)

And this is a shot in the dark, but I'm guessing your showing all your friends your snake, and i say this because your keeping him in your college dorm (I've noticed the walls :D) Let the snake be for a week or so and then introduce him a hopper.

You can take advice from one person who know a ruckus will begin from replying to this forum. Or you can listen to the "All powerful" community here in this Forum who work together to help beginner herps do whats best for their animals...

I'll chime in with my two cents...

Cover the sides of your tank with something dark. I covered the sides of the tank I have with black poster board. You can cover yours with styrofoam if you need the insulation. I have the tank in a room with two computers, so I didn't need it, the room gets plenty hot, lol.

Try to feed her a live mouse. Don't dangle it in front of her, if anything just put it in her eye sight to let her know it's there and just drop it in the tank. If you're not pre-scenting, I suggest you do so. You haven't mentioned if you do or don't.

To me, she does look kinda skinny. If you do all the suggested things, you might be able to get away with trying to feed her in 5 days. Just make sure to not handle her, don't make any bumps near the tank, no loud noises, pretty much act like there's a sleeping bear instead of a stressed BP :)

That's my take on it. I'm pretty confident all these things have been mentioned, but...

The more you know! ;)

Just to give you guys a update the snakes are in my basement which is at a constant 73% humidity i get home at about 8 oclock at night and leave at 8 in the morning so they have well enough quiet time..... I will try and get some darker paper to make things darker.... the light that i am using is just a burnt out uvb long bulb one that dosent emit anymore uvb. and that is only on 10 hours of the day i like to give the snakes a day and night cycle plus it helps with the all around temperture.....

I will try the humidity idea with the duck tape but i wonder will the duck tape give off toxic fumes from my long light tube???

And yes of course force feeding is the last option but it seems that the last option is coming soon i will check into see a herb vet if necessarry...

Guys i just want to say thank you again for all your great information and help i will keep you guys all updated i will try feeding her in the next few days since she is getting aclamated to her new greenary :) again thanks alot will keep all updated.

ok Im going to tell you exactly what to do ... I had the same problem a long time ago take your snake and the mouse/rat pup put them both in a small box ....if its smalll enough a shoebox close the lid and leave them in there for 30 dont open for 30 min and hopefully it will eat .....it worked for me with my first BP the only downfall to that was now when I feed that BP i put it in a plastic tub with a lid and have to cover that with a blanket ,,it has to eat in the dark. Good Luck hope i could help

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Montie Python

I would also use something dark to cover the sides of your enclosure, paper won't really cut it, either paint it with some acrylic paint (the type you use for canvas) or cover it with black styrofoam (can someone chime on this since i don't know where to get it?)...

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It's called foam board. You can get it at Wal-Mart in the school/ office supplies section next to the poster board...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitfireashlea

This may start a rucus,

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I haven't heard that word since The Breakfast Club...

"What was that ruckus?"
"What ruckus?"
"I heard a ruckus?"
"Can you describe the ruckus?"

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitfireashlea

I like what you have done with the tank. Looks alot more accomodating to her. I'm going to give you some tips from a different persepctive. This may start a rucus, but I believe you should be subjected to different opinions on snake husbandry and not just the "all might powerfull" people on this forum.

So, my suggestions. Take them or leave them If you wish, i'm only pointing out in my 14 years of owning snakes, these methods have worked.

1) The water dish is really not that high. I wouldn't worry about that.

2) The hides do not need to be identical, this is even up for debate on these forums. I have never had two simular hides, my snakes do fine, choose what you like. I do however agree that your move to that pot is a better idea.

3) I suggest moving her to a small container when you feed her. BP's love security when they are eating, a small dark container fits the mold. I use a petsmart box that they put small animals in. But anything that is dark and has some sort of cover would work. I also suggest dipping your feeders into either tuna juice, or making the feeder bleed a bit. This seems to stimulate them to eat. Put your snake in the box, drop in the feeder, close the box and leave for about 30 minutes. This has gotten my most reluctant of snakes to eat.

4) If I were you, I would test out these methods in 48 hours. Let your snake settle into the new environment and try again.


And a few questions,

1) Has your snake shed yet?
2) How old?

Snakes tend to go on hunger strikes. After another month, then I would start to worry. Right now, your snake seems a little stressed. But nothing it won't get over. :)

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i agree with everything in this statement except the feeding out of its own container. if the snake really is stressed moving out of a "comfort" zone will stress it more. in the 10 years or so of BREEDING snakes and the 15 years of keeping snakes i had more problems when i was trying to feed out of the enclosure like all the caresheets said.
i would try offering it a small weanling mouse. that is what me and my friend always start balls out on (to be clear i dont breed balls yet, i only broker them and own them). i have only had 2 balls that absolutely refused to eat on their own and ended up assist feeding them a couple of times before they started eating on their own.
the only questions i have for you is this.
1. is the snake a wild caught or captive bred?
2. has it ever eaten for you or was it sold to you as eating?

if its a wild caught you may need to get some african soft furred rats they help getting wc started.
if it was eating and is not now then something is stressing it out.
as far as the video goes, dont dangle prey right in front of your balls they really are an easily intimidated snake. just let it go (rat pups wont hurt your ball,weanling mice COULD so keep an eye but is doubtful).
hope this helps.
adam jeffery

Your setup looks a lot better now.

If your humidity is normally at 70%, then there is no need to treat the screen lid, it will just raise your humidity more.

Your last option shouldn't be force feeding. You should never have to force feed a bp who is in a proper environment. There are plenty of things you can try before resorting to force feeding.

Leave her alone for a week to see how she does with the new setup. If you see her start using her hides during the day and doing some "looking for food" cruising (not to be confused with "trying to get out" cruising) then try putting in a small rat pinky and see if she goes for it.

You need to learn how to read your snake so that you can judge whether or not it is hungry, stressed, or happy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adamjeffery

1. is the snake a wild caught or captive bred?
2. has it ever eaten for you or was it sold to you as eating?
adam jeffery

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The snake is not wild caught actually she was just born about a month ago i bought her at a expo and the guy said she shed as well as ate one time and he gave me the info card as well he told me to email him if any problems which i have and he hasent gotten back to me im going to try to throw another pinky rat in there tomm... and do what all you guys have said so wish me luck :)

Hey everyone i just wanted you guys all to know that my baby girl finally ate her first pinky rat. Its because of you guys that she did so well. I hope she keeps up the good work with eating. But again i want to THANK THANK THANK all of you from the help.