Baby BPT wont eat

Just got Baby Ball Python for my 10 yr old son. He is very docile nad easy to handel. Had him 2 weeks and he wont take thawed warmed up pinkey.
Any suggestions on getting him to eat??

Mice or rat pinky? If it's a mouse pinky that's much too small: he can easily take at least mouse hoppers/small mice.

Try leaving it in with him overnight, try prescenting the tub/tank (I use a hairdryer to warm the feeder and kinda blow the feeder smell around the tub), or try feeding live. Make sure your husbandry is spot on as well, and I would give him at least a week to settle in before your next attempt at feeding if you just got him.

Well, first let's make sure you have him set up right. What is you tank like, hides? What are temps and how are you controlling them? Also, any new bp should be left alone for a week after you bring them home. Then try to feed. No handling until they are established eaters. If you are handling him you could be stressing him out. Once you get him eating, then you can gradually start to handle him, 5 minutes at a time building up. Is the pinky thawed out completely? Is it warm enough for him to get a feed response? You can hit it with a hair dryer to warm the head. Bps can go off feed at the drop of a hat. So you need to make sure husbandry is spot on. You can also try leaving a rat pup (with eyes still shut) in his tank with him. It can't hurt him, and he may be inclined to eat if left alone with his meal. Good luck!

Have you been handling him since you picked him up? Baby bp's can stress out easily and I try to leave them alone until they have eaten for me once or twice.

Do you know what it was feeding on before you picked it up. Was it eating live or f/t?

What is your setup for him? Can you give use details about the cage, hides, temps, and humidity. All of this can be helpful information to help figure out if there is a problem.

All above X2?

Where did you get him and what was he being fed?

pictures can also help of his home

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Well, first let's make sure you have him set up right. What is you tank like, hides? What are temps and how are you controlling them? Also, any new bp should be left alone for a week after you bring them home. Then try to feed. No handling until they are established eaters. If you are handling him you could be stressing him out. Once you get him eating, then you can gradually start to handle him, 5 minutes at a time building up. Is the pinky thawed out completely? Is it warm enough for him to get a feed response? You can hit it with a hair dryer to warm the head. Bps can go off feed at the drop of a hat. So you need to make sure husbandry is spot on. You can also try leaving a rat pup (with eyes still shut) in his tank with him. It can't hurt him, and he may be inclined to eat if left alone with his meal. Good luck!

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In the majority of cases when a young animal refuses to eat for a new owner it's often husbandry related.

The more info you will give the better people will be able to guide you to help you with this issue.

How big is the BP?

How big is his enclosure?

What are the temps? and what type of thermometer do you measure them with? ( Digital or analog?)

Do you provide tight identical hides with all sides touching the BP's body?

How often as this BP been handled?

What was he previously feeding on?

A young BP should really not be house in something much larger than 6 or 15 quarts tub ideally with aspen bedding and 1 or 2 tight hides, with temps of 78/80 and 86/88 and I would also recommend not to handle this BP until he is a consistent feeder.

As far as food an appropriate size prey equal the girth size of the animal should be offered, if fed pinky mice those are TOO small (BP are generally started on hoppers and quickly move to adult mice)

Live for now is recommended at least until he feeds for you successfully a few time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

All above X2?

Where did you get him and what was he being fed?

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Pet Co is where we got him and I was told he was eating pinkeys(mice)
I will take the advise in the last few posts and hopefully can get him to eat.
Thanks for the input

I think petco does frozen but I would get a small live hopper.:gj:
Make sure everything else is spot on first

I would look at the Husbandry check out the caresheet. Also try covering 3 sides of your enclosure with cardboard or black construction paper. I use Aquarium background and I would definatley leave him alone until he eats. Here is what our setup ups look like hopefully this gets your litle guy eating again.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...84084614_n.jpg

Pics would be a great help also are you feeding in his enclosure or out? How are you heating the F/T Rodents Also are you using tongs to feed so you can do the Zombie dance to entice a feeding response:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

In the majority of cases when a young animal refuses to eat for a new owner it's often husbandry related.

The more info you will give the better people will be able to guide you to help you with this issue.

How big is the BP?

How big is his enclosure?

What are the temps? and what type of thermometer do you measure them with? ( Digital or analog?)

Do you provide tight identical hides with all sides touching the BP's body?

How often as this BP been handled?

What was he previously feeding on?

A young BP should really not be house in something much larger than 6 or 15 quarts tub ideally with aspen bedding and 1 or 2 tight hides, with temps of 78/80 and 86/88 and I would also recommend not to handle this BP until he is a consistent feeder.

As far as food an appropriate size prey equal the girth size of the animal should be offered, if fed pinky mice those are TOO small (BP are generally started on hoppers and quickly move to adult mice)

Live for now is recommended at least until he feeds for you successfully a few time.

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Deborah, thanks for your endulgance, I an new to this forum. The snake is 12" tops. Tank is a 29 gallon high with screen on top. Keep it at 80 to 90 degrees with anologe thermos. Lights are bell reflector, 75 watt zoomed brand basking spot and inferared heat lamp. We keep one on at a time with timers. We have two hiding places and water dish in tank. He spends most of his time in hiding place. We add mist all the time to maintain humidity. My boy loves to handel the snake and it does not seem to mind(does not go into ball)
I will get live food and see what happens.
Thanks for all of your input, greatly apreciated!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RestlessRobie

I would look at the Husbandry check out the caresheet. Also try covering 3 sides of your enclosure with cardboard or black construction paper. I use Aquarium background and I would definatley leave him alone until he eats. Here is what our setup ups look like hopefully this gets your litle guy eating again.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...84084614_n.jpg

Pics would be a great help also are you feeding in his enclosure or out? How are you heating the F/T Rodents Also are you using tongs to feed so you can do the Zombie dance to entice a feeding response:)

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Robie, thanks I apreciate the input. I dont think we are doing it right so thats why the outreach. Will try the sugestions by all and let you know the outcome.

Thanks again

Since you got it from petco, chances are its not the best feeder as they only feed Frozen. And they dont assit or force feed non feeders. They send them back if they dont eat.

The tank you have is much too large for a baby, its much suited for a more active species like corn snakes as they will take advantage of that height.

Drop him to a 10 gallon tank, Screen lid should be 80% covered to stop air flow from drying out the cage and help hold in heat. You want to use Digital thermometer with probe, no stick on dial ones.

Hot side 88-90 with a cool side of 78-80. I suggest you achieve this with a Under tank heater and use a heat lamp if room is too cold to get a 78-80 cool side temp. Be sure you regulate your temps with a thermostat to prevent overheating and the burning of your snakes underside, which will result in a lot of vet care $$$$.

Keep humidity 45-55% at all times and up it to 65-75% during sheds. Have 2 identical hides one on each side with water bowl in middle. You can use Aspen,paper towels,news paper, cyprus, coco fiber as bedding the choice is yours.

1st ensure the setup is correct. ABOUT 90 on the warm side, about 80 on the cool is a good rule of thumb. 91 on the hot side and 79 on the cold wont harm your snake lol. 2nd its expected, although never had this issue personally, for the snake to adapt to its new home so it may not eat. 3rd correct size of mouse. I started with pinkies with mine and had to hand feed my guy because he was a little baby and didnt want to eat lol. then once he got used to the idea of eating and that i wasnt going to eat him he ate regularly. rule of thumb is about the size of the snakes head. again won't harm the snake if its a little larger. keep in mind these guys have been on earth for millions of years and they are pretty resilient. just try to get around these numbers and you will have a happy health friend.