Hatchling Feeding Question...

I picked up a ball python hatchling @ the Columbia show last month on the 20th.
I have tried now 3 times to feed her pinkies with no success.
I have even left the pinkie in there for a while & nothing. She is scared of it.
My question is that I am scared if she doesn't eat at this young something may happen. I don't usually deal with hatchlings/babies and always deal with the mid-size large ball pythons with no feeding troubles. So this is new to me. I know she is young & what not but I just worry about her. Any advice on what to do?

:snake:

Give us complete information on the cage--the size of the cage, the bedding, the hide boxes, the heat source and the temperatures, and the humidity.

Tell us whether you are trying to feed pinkie rats or pinkie mice (neither of which is actually appropriate for a ball python hatchling, so that could be the problem itself--they are too small. Ball python hatchlings eat fuzzy rats or hopper mice).

Tell us how often you are trying to feed the snake. Tell us whether you have disturbed the snake at all or handled it. Tell us whether you are trying to feed live or frozen/thawed.

Tell us where the cage is, and whether there is a lot of traffic nearby.

With all of that information, we may be able to make some suggestions to help you out.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Give us complete information on the cage--the size of the cage, the bedding, the hide boxes, the heat source and the temperatures, and the humidity.

Tell us whether you are trying to feed pinkie rats or pinkie mice (neither of which is actually appropriate for a ball python hatchling, so that could be the problem itself--they are too small. Ball python hatchlings eat fuzzy rats or hopper mice).


Tell us how often you are trying to feed the snake. Tell us whether you have disturbed the snake at all or handled it. Tell us whether you are trying to feed live or frozen/thawed.

Tell us where the cage is, and whether there is a lot of traffic nearby.

With all of that information, we may be able to make some suggestions to help you out.

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I dont think it has anything to do with what her cage, traffic wise, bedding, or anything. Because we have 17 snakes in the house all of who eat perfect. Once a week on sundays we feed. I'm asking what to do about her because she is a baby & i haven't started with babies 1st. They have all been mid-size to full grown when i got them. I am guessing with that you said that pinkies are too small. She is about the size of your palm so maybe i should try hoppers.

Let it get settled in for a bit. Anytime I've got a snake from a show, they never seem to eat for a little while. I would imagine it is pretty stressful on the snake at a show for many reasons:
1. Being transported to the show
2. Being held by a lot of different people
3. Improper heat requirements
4. Small confined cage

Best bet is to put the pinky in with the snake and leave it alone for an hour. Don't try tease feeding it or anything like that. Just put it in, the snake will sense that its there right away. If nothing happens take it out and try again at nite. I have a female pastel that only seems to eat after midnite. I have to leave it in with her and leave the room. If I try to watch her, she will never take it.

we need to know how you have the baby setup. And try to offer live hopper mice as first few meals before anything.

They are more prone to taking to mice first than rats. And pinkys are WAY too small even rat pinks.

Need a complete rundown on the setup before we can assist you on fixing anything that can be fixed

wait few days offer rat fuzzy
pinky is to small and not enough movement to stimulate eating response possibly

Don't feed it the pinkie. That is too small for even a hatchling BP. MAke sure it has a proper sized prey. What was it being fed before you bought it, mice or rats? It would be best if it was rats but if it was mice feed it those until you get it eatting a little then switch it over to rats asap.

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Originally Posted by van_garret2000

Don't feed it the pinkie. That is too small for even a hatchling BP. MAke sure it has a proper sized prey. What was it being fed before you bought it, mice or rats? It would be best if it was rats but if it was mice feed it those until you get it eatting a little then switch it over to rats asap.

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No reason to ever switch to rats, feed what works.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

No reason to ever switch to rats, feed what works.

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The reason you switch them to rats is the size bp's get they need the bigger prey. MIce don't get big enough for them and you end up having to feed them a few mice when you could just as easily give them one rat. The cost would be greater having to feed multiple mice. YOu would save a lot of money getting it onto rats.

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Originally Posted by PolkaDotPenguin

I dont think it has anything to do with what her cage, traffic wise, bedding, or anything. Because we have 17 snakes in the house all of who eat perfect.

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And as you said, they aren't babies. So, tell us about her setup, because 95% of the time, it IS the setup, traffic, etc. It would be silly to refuse to give all of that info because you think it isn't important. It is the most important factor.

You see, if it ISN'T any of that, then she is probably sick, and you should take her to a veterinarian.

So why don't we rule all of that out first.

The reason the members are asking about the setup is hatchlings requirements can be a little different than the larger ball pythons you already have. The main one being the size of the enclosure the hatchling is being kept in. You want to come as close as you can to what the breeder had it in. Most breeders will keep a hatchling in a tub about 6 quarts in size. bigger isn't always better. remember breeders don't have room to house maybe hundreds of hatchlings in something that takes up room. plus hatchlings seems to do better in a small tub compare to a larger one anyways.

start out with live large fuzzy or small hopper mice. if the hatchling doesn't feed, wait 2 to 3 days before trying again, any sooner can cause stress, don't handle the hatchling until it shows a good feeding response.

I keep all my hatchlings in 6 quart tubs and even the hatchlings that I have to assist feed to get started do very well feeding. I keep them in these tubs until around 300 grams. when I switch them to a larger tub some will go off feed, but they have the weight to support it for a little while.

if you have a tank setup already, buy a 6 quart tub from wal-mart around 1 dollar. place air holes in it. put paper towel in bottom small water bowl and lid on it. and set about 1/3 of tub on heat pad in the tank you already have. Keep the hot spot around 90. good luck, don

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Originally Posted by don15681

The reason the members are asking about the setup is hatchlings requirements can be a little different than the larger ball pythons you already have. The main one being the size of the enclosure the hatchling is being kept in. You want to come as close as you can to what the breeder had it in. Most breeders will keep a hatchling in a tub about 6 quarts in size. bigger isn't always better. remember breeders don't have room to house maybe hundreds of hatchlings in something that takes up room. plus hatchlings seems to do better in a small tub compare to a larger one anyways.

start out with live large fuzzy or small hopper mice. if the hatchling doesn't feed, wait 2 to 3 days before trying again, any sooner can cause stress, don't handle the hatchling until it shows a good feeding response.

I keep all my hatchlings in 6 quart tubs and even the hatchlings that I have to assist feed to get started do very well feeding. I keep them in these tubs until around 300 grams. when I switch them to a larger tub some will go off feed, but they have the weight to support it for a little while.

if you have a tank setup already, buy a 6 quart tub from wal-mart around 1 dollar. place air holes in it. put paper towel in bottom small water bowl and lid on it. and set about 1/3 of tub on heat pad in the tank you already have. Keep the hot spot around 90. good luck, don

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Good point about the tank size. Changing the tank size definitely goofs them up. This could very well be the possibility.

What are you housing it in?

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Originally Posted by van_garret2000

The reason you switch them to rats is the size bp's get they need the bigger prey. MIce don't get big enough for them and you end up having to feed them a few mice when you could just as easily give them one rat. The cost would be greater having to feed multiple mice. YOu would save a lot of money getting it onto rats.

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Costs me about .10 to produce my own mmice there for i feed what works. And technically rats cost more to produce and or buy due to size. I feed what ever they want to stay happy and fed.

So it dont matter what you need to feed, feed what works. All an adult ever needs is 50-80 grams per meal nothing more. Anything above that is wasted food.

I don't breed my own feeders but you are right rats do cost more due to their size, but for me to feed the same amount of mouse in weight it would cost me more for the mouse. I have seen rats sold for ridiculas prices but it isn't hard to find a good priced rat either to make it way more affordable.

Didnt mean to come off rude sorry about that last post!

The temps read hot spot 88-92
There is really no traffic at all there, its in a spare room where all the snakes are.
I am only able to feed it rats because our breeder only breeds gerbils & rats. So its convient :)
Im housing it in a tub just like the rest of the snakes are in. With a water bowl on one side, and hide on the other with newspaper substrate. She is in a 6qt tub right now because its honestly perfect size for her since she is soo small.
Did i answer all questions?