Still not Feeding

Hey guys,

My bp still isn't feeding. I thought originally that he wasn't feeding perhaps because he was with another ball python, and the temps and humidity in that cage were perfect.

Well its been two weeks since I move him into the new enclosure (two hide, water bowl, 80 degrees cold side, 90 on hot, 50% humidity), and he still wants nothing to do with food. He's mellowed out a little bit, but if I ever try to feed him he just freaks out and tries to escape the box. I even put a hide in there with him. I've also tried feeding him inside his own enclosure.

I'm not feeding him more than once a week, and the last two times I've tried to feed him I've been using a fuzzy mouse, because I've read that that will entice him more.... but he still just wants nothing to do with it.

In the last month he's lost another 20 grams of weight. I'm getting really concerned about him, and I just have no idea what I'm supposed to do.

Because you change the conditions does not been they resume feeding overnight it can take time. The stress of multiple housing, than the stress of a new environment it's a lot especially for a young animal.

Have you been handling him?

How big is he exactly?

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I'm not feeding him more than once a week, and the last two times I've tried to feed him I've been using a fuzzy mouse, because I've read that that will entice him more.... but he still just wants nothing to do with it.

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Actually not really fuzzies are way to small and probably do not spark his interest.

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Have you been handling him?

How big is he exactly?

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He's about 22 inches long, and weighs 128 grams. I never touch him. I don't feel that fuzzies are too small for him, in fact, people have recommended it.

Deb,

I've read Zargoon's other threads and he's been trying to get this lil' guy to feed for over 2 months. As a result of all his weight loss and size a few people recommended he try feeding a fuzzy to entice him so he isn't afraid of the "prey" item. Also, he specifically said "2 weeks", not exactly over night mate.

Cheers,
Fatal

bumpity bump bump

Jesus does no one have any advice?

How big is his enclosure?

sent from my EVO

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Originally Posted by Zargoon

He's about 22 inches long, and weighs 128 grams. I never touch him. I don't feel that fuzzies are too small for him, in fact, people have recommended it.

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Sorry fuzzies are TOO small the smallest I would go with is a hopper which us used to start hatchlings (your BP right now can take a full grown mouse)

If it was me here is what I would do

I would get a 6 quart tubs have one 6 inches flowerpots saucer as an hide, and have Aspen as substrate and a water dish (nothing less nothing more at this point)

88 on the warm side and 78 on the cool side.

I would wait a week (NO HANDLING) and than offer a LIVE hopper and see how it does.

If that does not work there is one more thing you can try but we will see how that gies first.

Obviously this animal ate before and likely does not eat for you because of stress and husbandry issues.

Fuzzy mice are just wayyyyyyyyyy to small! Deborah is right, that snake could take a hopper or a small adult mouse easily.

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Originally Posted by Fataltix

Deb,

I've read Zargoon's other threads and he's been trying to get this lil' guy to feed for over 2 months. As a result of all his weight loss and size a few people recommended he try feeding a fuzzy to entice him so he isn't afraid of the "prey" item. Also, he specifically said "2 weeks", not exactly over night mate.

Cheers,
Fatal

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Uh. It's only been two weeks since he's been moved, and he's tried feeding twice. Either it was too soon for the first one, or he's feeding them too close together.

I agree with Deb. Give him a week in his new enclosure with zero interaction. I might even cover it to give him extra darkness. Then try again with a small adult mouse. I've had newborns that didn't want anything smaller than that. I'm sure newborns isn't the correct term, but it's just a cute word. :)

Good luck! Keep us updated.

Hey guys,

If it isn't a little obvious, I know Zargoon in RL :P.

Here is the situation: I've been trying to help him get this lil guy to feed for the last two months. The original issue was that the BP was living with another BP for a while, however, he relocated him to an 8 qt tub. He has two hides that are a perfect fit, a water bowl, and the temps and humidity are spot on (88-90 on hot, 78-80 on cool, 55% + humidity). He also keeps the tub in a dark room, and covers it with a towel. The reason he was trying small food items was because the other food item he had available was a 25g rat pup and was worried it was too big because the snake seemed terrified of it (its a F/T no worries).

After he moved him into his new tub he waited a full week w/o handling then offered a fuzzy, then did the same the next week. He's been really great about not handling/touching/checking too frequently on his tub. Should he offer the rat pup? Or attempt to get a different food item?

And furthermore... if the snake doesn't take a food item still... is it time to assist feed?

Cheers,
Fatal

I would go with a live mouse. A small adult. That little one should take it no problem. Here is what I do with my stubborn feeders. Get a mouse from the store and have them throw a little mouse stinky bedding in with it. Set the box with the mouse in it on top of the bp's tub in the afternoon. With a few hours of prescenting he should get into feed mode with a quickness.

Is he hiding when your friend checks on him, or roaming the cage? Have you considered having a fecal test to rule out parasites?

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

I would go with a live mouse. A small adult. That little one should take it no problem. Here is what I do with my stubborn feeders. Get a mouse from the store and have them throw a little mouse stinky bedding in with it. Set the box with the mouse in it on top of the bp's tub in the afternoon. With a few hours of prescenting he should get into feed mode with a quickness.

Is he hiding when your friend checks on him, or roaming the cage? Have you considered having a fecal test to rule out parasites?

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Hmm we were trying to avoid going for live... but I guess we don't have a whole lot of options left. He roams a bit at night, but for the most part he lies around in or out of the hides. We would LOVE to check him for parasites... but he hasn't pooped in over 2 and a half months on account of no food so... :confused:

Cheers,
Fatal

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Originally Posted by Fataltix

Hmm we were trying to avoid going for live... but I guess we don't have a whole lot of options left. He roams a bit at night, but for the most part he lies around in or out of the hides. We would LOVE to check him for parasites... but he hasn't pooped in over 2 and a half months on account of no food so... :confused:

Cheers,
Fatal

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Oh. I see. I would definately go with live. I always do in young ones, and newbies. Unless, I know they are eating f/t. The first priority is to get him to eat, and live should jump start his instinct. Especially a smelly mouse. If that works, get him gaining a good fat weight, and then try and switch him.

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

Oh. I see. I would definately go with live. I always do in young ones, and newbies. Unless, I know they are eating f/t. The first priority is to get him to eat, and live should jump start his instinct. Especially a smelly mouse. If that works, get him gaining a good fat weight, and then try and switch him.

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Thanks! We'll do that for sure. In case he doesn't eat the mouse... do we kill it and freeze it? Or should we buy some food for it?

Cheers,
Fatal

I would offer something live as well. A smelly mouse or softfur rat. They seem to like those things that bounce around a lot. Rat pups don't move enough to get the prey drive going in a picky eater.

Forgot to mention. If you are feeding live prey, leave some mouse food in the snakes enclosure if you are leaving it in there over night. Don't want the little mouse to get hungry and munch on your snake.