New ball python owner

Hi there, hope this is the right place to post this. I've recently decided to enter the world of snake care after owning a Chinese water dragon. Wound up going with a 2 1/2 year old Pinstripe ball python.

Just wanted to see if im doing things right. I got him Saturday last week, and tried to feed him sunday, only because that was his normal feeding time at the pet shop. Recently tried to feed him friday night, still didnt eat. I was informed from the pet shop he didnt eat the week before i got him. Just wondering if i should be worried.

also during day he chills in his log, and at night i usually find him out on a branch close to his heat light, wondering if thats a good or bad sigh?

Don't worry :) Not always the best eaters, BPs, as people on the forum will tell you :) He's probably just settling in so leave him for a good few days maybe a week? (Someone correct me if I'm wrong :))

Welcome to the forums btw :sweeet: :)

If you haven't already, make sure to check the caresheet to make sure your setup's right for him! They won't eat when they're stressed and moving is a big stress for a ball python. Give him time to relax and make sure your setup's all in order. If your husbandry's right, he'll calm down and feed after a while. It's also breeding season and he is of breeding age, so he might just want a girlfriend. :rolleyes:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

I was also told not to hold him (expect to try to feed him, use a tub to feed him in) for about 2 feedings, with how things are going that seems like an awfully long time. Just wondering on your opinion on that.

Bps have been know to go as long as a year with out eating, don't worry about it. Look on this site for all your husbandry info and I'm sure you will be fine. Pin stripes are a cool morph, congrats and welcome.

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Originally Posted by BallJohnny

I was also told not to hold him (expect to try to feed him, use a tub to feed him in) for about 2 feedings, with how things are going that seems like an awfully long time. Just wondering on your opinion on that.

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Try feeding him in his enclosure. I bet he'll eat for you. Also make sure all your temps and such are correct.

Even though i tried feeding him last night(friday), should i try this sunday which is his normal feeding day. I've debated on the whole feeding him in his tank, that what i did for my lizards, and it just seems like it would be easier on him.

You don't need a separate tub to feed in. It just causes unnecessary stress and swallowing a piece or two of substrate generally isn't harmful to a snake. If you're feeding F/T and it's wet you should be blasting it with a hairdryer or letting it warm up under a heat lamp anyways, then just pat it dry with a paper towel or dry it with the hairdryer so there's no substrate stuck to the rodent. Moving him to offer might be what's making him not want to eat. Wait until the next feeding day and try in his enclosure. That might work for you.

Thanks for the advice, diffidently going to try to feed in enclosure. One sides temp is about in the 90,mid temp is in the 80, and he has a cool side thats about 75. So far what i've heard after one feeding and waiting about 2 to three days he should be ok to start handling for abit.

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Originally Posted by BallJohnny

I was also told not to hold him (expect to try to feed him, use a tub to feed him in) for about 2 feedings, with how things are going that seems like an awfully long time. Just wondering on your opinion on that.

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Some of that is a matter of opinion. Some people don't handle a new BP until they feed at two times. I have read that some breeders on here don't handle until after three sucessful feedings. I personally waiting until after the first one. There are multiple discussions on here about feeding in a seperate tub, that also is a matter of preference (both yours and the snakes). I feed all three of mine in the tubs they are in. Make sure the husbandry is on and then leave him alone for 5-7 days and feed.
Are you feeding mice or rats? Are you feeding frozen/thawed(f/t), pre-killed or live? All of that makes a difference. If the BP was eating live rats then stick with live rats. If it was eating f/t rats then that's what you should feed it. If it eats mice stick with mice, etc.

I currently feeding him large f/t mice, its what the petshop had been feeding him, also the fed him in a separate tub. he is captive bred to if that makes a different.

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Originally Posted by BallJohnny

I currently feeding him large f/t mice, its what the petshop had been feeding him, also the fed him in a separate tub. he is captive bred to if that makes a different.

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Did he seem interested when you offered him food or did he just sit there and ignore it? I would try and keep him in his current enclosure next try. If he seemed interested but just didn't take it, the f/t might not be warm enough for him. If he seems to be striking in a defensive manner or not at all he could be stressed.

Every time i have fed him(two times) hes actually tried to escape the tub, second time almost getting out lol. He kind of shows no interest in the food.

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Originally Posted by BallJohnny

Every time i have fed him(two times) hes actually tried to escape the tub, second time almost getting out lol. He kind of shows no interest in the food.

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Yea, that sounds like he is stressed. I would completely leave him alone for a week and only check on him to see if he needs to be cleaned or change of water.

I didn't have any success feeding in separate tub. I am also new to the snake world. My breeder was feeding live rats and I was trying F/T. I think every BP is going to be a little different but security is a big thing for them. Taking them out of the home tub/cage may cause a little extra stress for them and could cause them not to feel secure enough to feed. In my case I let ours acclimate for 7-8 days then tried feeding. I changed the food and attempted in separate tub without success. After help from people on this forum I tried feeding live (like the breeder did) and in the cage. She took it no problem.

Sticking to the same food as pet shop at first is a good idea. IMO (and those who helped me get mine eating), feeding in the enclosure provides security so it won't hurt. Some feed in separate feeding tub/tank with success but to get things started keep as much the same as possible. If you want to change I would suggest making small changed slowly.

I wish you the best luck and WELCOME!

Thanks for the advice, i'll give him another week just opening his cage to mist one side and change his water.

It won't hurt to limit you interaction with him until you get at lest one feeding into him. After that give him 24-36 hours before handling (some say 48 or more). I just don't handle the day after so she gets 36 hours to start digest and be comfortable. Good luck and keep us posted.