feeding

Ive had my snake about a week now, and tried feeding her today she didnt want to eat which im not all to concerned about, but i was wondering if i can refreeze the pinky.

Also she has a bit of retained shed on her tail and tips to get it off besides the papertowel trick

Also ive witnessed her climbing on her temp/humidity gauges. A pretty cool trick for a snake but should i be concered about her hurting herself or breaking my gauges?

You could refreeze the pinky as long as there isn't any blood. How long has it been unfrozen for? The stuck tail skin I usually wet my fingers and run it across the stuck seection and it comes off. Be gentle and keep the fingers wet. I wouldn't woory about the snake hurting herself but I would get a digital gauge for the temp and humidity.

Why are you feeding Pinkies?

Pinkies whether from rats or mice are too small for BP, the average hatchling starts on rat crawlers or hopper mice and quickly move to the next size up.

Now as far as not eating here are some questions for you

What is the size of your BP?

What is the size of your enclosure?

What are your temps and humidity and what type of thermometer, hygrometer are you using? (dial or digital?) Where do you measure your temps?

What type of hides are you providing? Are they tight with all sides touching your BP's body?

How often have you handled your BP if any?

What prey type was fed by the prior owner or breeder?

I think a lot of pet store so called experts give people bad advice about feeding. I was lucky I came here first but when I first got my BP he was about 75 grams and just tiny. I read here and went to the pet store to buy hopper mice for him and just out of curiosity I asked the lady at the pet store what they were feeding the BP in a tank they had for sell. I kid you not this snake had to weigh 250-300 grams and she said they were giving it 1 pinky mouse a week and it was almost big enough to move up to hopper mice. At that rate I am amazed the snake would grow at all.

P.S. I am not bashing everyone that works at a pet store just the ones that work at my local Pet Store.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Why are you feeding Pinkies?

Pinkies whether from rats or mice are too small for BP, the average hatchling starts on rat crawlers or hopper mice and quickly move to the next size up.

Now as far as not eating here are some questions for you

What is the size of your BP?

What is the size of your enclosure?:colbert:

What are your temps and humidity and what type of thermometer, hygrometer are you using? (dial or digital?) Where do you measure your temps?

What type of hides are you providing? Are they tight with all sides touching your BP's body?

How often have you handled your BP if any?

What prey type was fed by the prior owner or breeder?

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shes tiny probably about 100 grams give or take, i belive the guy said she was feeding on pinkies. Have have a 20 gal tank and she has two hides, a caveish one and a treeish one, cool side temp ranges from about 75-80, and warm side is from 85-92 with humidity from 48-60. I use dial gauges and have heard theyre not very dependable, so ill be buying a digital when i get paid. And ive only handled her twice since i got her. And when i do try to feed she usually ignores the prey and goes to climb on the feeding tongs (shes very exploritve)

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Originally Posted by TomC

I think a lot of pet store so called experts give people bad advice about feeding. I was lucky I came here first but when I first got my BP he was about 75 grams and just tiny. I read here and went to the pet store to buy hopper mice for him and just out of curiosity I asked the lady at the pet store what they were feeding the BP in a tank they had for sell. I kid you not this snake had to weigh 250-300 grams and she said they were giving it 1 pinky mouse a week and it was almost big enough to move up to hopper mice. At that rate I am amazed the snake would grow at all.

P.S. I am not bashing everyone that works at a pet store just the ones that work at my local Pet Store.

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the pet store i went to said that feeding 2 pinkies would be sufficiant

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Originally Posted by SkullyB

the pet store i went to said that feeding 2 pinkies would be sufficient

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Maybe, but it would be better and more efficient to simply feed one hopper :)

Also, a 20 gallon tank is a little too big for a baby 100 gram ball python. I understand that you probably wanted to have something she could grow into, but for now she might be a little stressed in such a big space. I would cover the back and the sides of the tank with black construction paper or cardboard and get some fake plastic vines to fill it up a little and help make her feel more secure. Your temps and everything else sound good though, and it's good that you're going to be getting a digital thermometer :gj:

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Originally Posted by blushingball419

Maybe, but it would be better and more efficient to simply feed one hopper :)

Also, a 20 gallon tank is a little too big for a baby 100 gram ball python. I understand that you probably wanted to have something she could grow into, but for now she might be a little stressed in such a big space. I would cover the back and the sides of the tank with black construction paper or cardboard and get some fake plastic vines to fill it up a little and help make her feel more secure. Your temps and everything else sound good though, and it's good that you're going to be getting a digital thermometer :gj:

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i admit at first she didnt like the bigger cage but now she seems well used to and extremely happy in it!

Ended up feeding her a live hopper, she destroyed it

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Originally Posted by SkullyB

i admit at first she didnt like the bigger cage but now she seems well used to and extremely happy in it!

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You are using your simian brain to try and decide what your snake likes. If this is your first snake you really should take the advice on the forum. Pet stores are rarely well informed about snakes. I would be feeding a 100 gram BP a weanling mouse. It would most likely be fine with an adult mouse.

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Originally Posted by SkullyB

shes tiny probably about 100 grams give or take, i belive the guy said she was feeding on pinkies.

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The guy is wrong to feed a 100 gram pinkies mouse or rat. A weanling mouse or fuzzy rat would be better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SkullyB

Have have a 20 gal tank and she has two hides, a caveish one and a treeish one,

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20 gallon tank is large for a 100 gram BP. You should try for 2 identical tight fitting hides. Your snake wants something it can barely fit in. Think about it like this. If your snake would sit still for it could you fit the whole snake in the hide. If the answer is just barely, your snake would like that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SkullyB

cool side temp ranges from about 75-80, and warm side is from 85-92 with humidity from 48-60. I use dial gauges and have heard theyre not very dependable, so ill be buying a digital when i get paid.

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How are you keeping your warm side warm? Do you have a thermostat or a rheostat? Ideally your temps should not range at all. The more stable you can get them the better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SkullyB

And ive only handled her twice since i got her. And when i do try to feed she usually ignores the prey and goes to climb on the feeding tongs (shes very exploritve)

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The way you worded this it sounds like you have tried to feed multiple times. You should be trying to feed once every 4 or 5 days. What you are seeing as exploratory sounds like stress.