Collection Update! Picky feeders galore!

So I posted back in August about getting into the ball python breeding hobby and finally received my females on 26 August. Finally got around to taking some pictures myself. You can find the original thread HERE that shows pictures provided by the breeders/supplies, as well as links to their pages/websites. I have a Herpstat-2 Termostat and am waiting on my rack to come in from Animal Plastics (hopefully within the next week). Can't wait to get everything organized :P

Recessive Project:
Planned Male: Pied 100% het Albino

Albino Clown Female - "Butters" produced by BHB Reptiles
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps53820190.jpg
DOB: Late 2013
Weight on arrival: 328g

Honestly, I could not be any happier with this girl! Not only did I get her for a great price (IMO) during BHB's Make an Offer day, she is by no means a picky eater. So far she has eaten 1 live adult mouse and 1 F/T small rat with no problems. Husband ended up naming her because "she's yellow and a little fatty." In a couple years I'm hoping to put her with a Pied het Albino and cross my fingers for a few Albino DH Clown Pieds :D

Pied Het Albino Female - "Dislike" produced by Steve Winkler Reptiles
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psc0efe39e.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps6c224646.jpg
DOB: 5 July 2014
Weight on arrival: 92g

Aptly named for her thumbs down mark and the fact that she has a very nasty attitude. She has done nothing by strike at me since I unboxed her :/ I've mostly left her alone, but the couple times I have attempted to feed her (once F/T, once live) she is extremely quick to strike but has no desire to eat. I originally thought she might be acting so aggressive out of hunger, but at this point I'm not so sure. I think I'll skip her during feeding time next week and try again the following week.

Dom/Co-Dom Project
Planned Male: Pastel Mojave Yellowbelly (Pastel Optional)

Dragonfly (Pastel-Fire-Pinstrip) Female - "Currently Unnamed" produced by Precision Pythons
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps8f35ab49.jpg
DOB: 5 Oct 2013
Weight on arrival: 460g

This girl was a bit of a spontaneous purchase. I knew I wanted Fire in my collection and was actually looking for a Firefly female, until I ran across this girl and figured an extra gene never hurt anyone :P She is the largest female of the four, but seems very timid. Both times I have attempted feeding her she seems extremely interested and will then promptly turn tail to the farthest corner of the tub. I've attempted both F/T and live with her, since the breeder had told me she was being fed live, but not much change. I may also be skip her next feeding day :/ Pretty excited to put her in with a male, it'll pretty much be a complete surprise as to what I'll get with all the different possibilities ;) Would also like to give a shout-out to Precision Pythons, customer service was great. Jon answered all my questions quickly and even gave suggestions for some filters in case the hubby starts complaining about the smell. 10/10 would do business with again :gj:

GHI Female - "Little Bit" purchased from Ben Siegel Reptiles
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psb7a247df.jpg
DOB: Early-Mid 2014
Weight on arrival: 55g

I was extremely surprised when I weighed her after unboxing. When purchased a month prior to receiving, she was advertised at 67g. I was assuming she would only grow as she would be receiving an entire month of food before I got her, but low and behold she comes in weight 12 grams less than advertised. Ben's response was that she might have been weighed after feeding and that weights will normally fluxuate. Out of all of them this is the one I'm most worried about. She seems active and healthy, but she has absolutely no feeding response. I've attempted to feed her 3 times, each 5 days apart at night:
1st: F/T rat pinkie (looked very small next to her, but read that feeding smaller tends to hep on their first meal in a new enclosure)
2nd: small F/T rat fuzzy (regular, brained, then finally dipped in chicken broth)
3rd: small F/T rat fuzzy with a live mouse present (unfortunately I don't have access to a small enough live mouse, so was hoping the smell would get her active), then rubbed on the live mouse
Each time she turns her head to it. I've even left them in her tub over night and they are always there in the morning.
All the tubs temps are stable (90-93 warm, 82-85 cool, 65-75% humidity depending on the weather) with hides on both sides (Smaller hides were little tall, so I put some scrunched up paper towels in them) and I have wadded newspaper in her tub to try and help her feel more secure. She isn't in shed and she doesn't seem distressed, although she tends to like being higher up in her cage (sitting on top of the newspaper and checking out the lid). I might wait a bit longer before I attempt to feed her again, but I've never had one this small before and I'm worried that I might wait too long :( I did weigh her again today and in almost 3 weeks she has only lost 1 gram, so maybe I am worried over nothing?



I was originally going to wait until I received my male to post this thread, but due to certain events there is a chance I will not be getting him. I won him in auction through Ben Siegel Reptiles as a Mojave Yellowbelly that looked like it had pastel in it (which most people agreed it definitely had pastel), but Ben never provided the parentage information that he offered. My biggest concern was that the male could have been mislabeled as a Mojave Yellowbelly instead of a Pastave and even though he looked like he contained the 3 genes to me, I just wanted clarification that he had already offered anyways. I really just wanted to make sure he did indeed have Yellowbelly, as that is the gene I'm set on adding to my collection. After 3 attempts to get the information, the only excuse I have gotten is the breeder is "difficult to get a hold of" (even though during the auction it seemed like the breeder was interacting with him fairly quickly) and that he is a "very respected and reputable breeder." I've provided my information to pass on (he would not give me the breeder's contact info as he felt it would be bad business to give out a supplier's information, which I respect) and have not received any attempt of contact. This makes me wary, mainly because IMO, a "respect and reputable" breeder would be more than willing to stand behind their animal. I'm going to give them a few more days, but with the difficulty I'm receiving on the matter and the issue I've had with the GHI female I received from Ben, there is a very good chance I will not be adding the male to my collection :/

The Ghi is pretty tiny. My first, honest thought --- has she really ever, actually, eaten? (If you know.)

Dunno if this might help, but if it were me, I would assume that she hasn't. Bump down her temp, give her a hot side of between 87-89. Cool the cool side if you can. Humidity looks good, although some babies seem to like a higher humidity for a while, like the upper end of what you have. If she wants to sit on top of a hide, that's fine, as long as the temps are below 90. Babies that feel too warm tend to want to be higher in their cages. Also, I've seen new babies that feel more confident striking downward at a prey item than when it's at their level.

Wait a week, that's fine.

Try a mouse. A live mouse crawler just beginning to open its eyes is the best, but if you can't get that, try a f/t hopper. Warm it, dry it, leave it in overnight, directly in front of the snake's hide box. I always assume fear with a new baby, so I don't zombie dance. Scenting with a roll in soiled mouse bedding can help, too. Live, though, really is the best possible bet if you can skate it.

Like I say, that's just me. Hopefully someone else will have better suggestions.

For the pied, does she have hides?

Other than that, the albino clown and dragonfly are lovely. Hopefully the dragonfly takes something for you pretty soon! If she's used to a certain size of live, go ahead and stick with that, if you can.

You seriously need some live prey items for a baby that small.

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Originally Posted by Alicia

The Ghi is pretty tiny. My first, honest thought --- has she really ever, actually, eaten? (If you know.)

Dunno if this might help, but if it were me, I would assume that she hasn't. Bump down her temp, give her a hot side of between 87-89. Cool the cool side if you can. Humidity looks good, although some babies seem to like a higher humidity for a while, like the upper end of what you have. If she wants to sit on top of a hide, that's fine, as long as the temps are below 90. Babies that feel too warm tend to want to be higher in their cages. Also, I've seen new babies that feel more confident striking downward at a prey item than when it's at their level.

Wait a week, that's fine.

Try a mouse. A live mouse crawler just beginning to open its eyes is the best, but if you can't get that, try a f/t hopper. Warm it, dry it, leave it in overnight, directly in front of the snake's hide box. I always assume fear with a new baby, so I don't zombie dance. Scenting with a roll in soiled mouse bedding can help, too. Live, though, really is the best possible bet if you can skate it.

Like I say, that's just me. Hopefully someone else will have better suggestions.

For the pied, does she have hides?

Other than that, the albino clown and dragonfly are lovely. Hopefully the dragonfly takes something for you pretty soon! If she's used to a certain size of live, go ahead and stick with that, if you can.

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Per the seller I purchased her from, the GHI has been eating mouse hoppers. I can only take his word for it unfortunately, but have already contacted him about the eating/size issue after I initially unboxed her and he just keeps assuring me that she has eaten before. I've tried a F/T pinkie and two very small rat fuzzies (not even as big as the thickest part of her body) and she has not shown any interest in either of them. Even the smell of live mouse doesn't get her going.

And yes, the pied has a hide on the warm and cold side (although she prefers under the newspaper) and has wadded up paper towel in them since they are a bit tall to try and make them more snug. The picture posted was the one I took when I first set her up and had not put the hides in yet.

I've offered the Dragonfly both F/T and live, and each time she has shied away from it. Of course for her she just may not be hungry, so I won' t press the issue. The breeder said he was feeding her weaned rats (mainly live, but she did take a F/T on occasion) and I've offered her a large Fuzzy (did not have weaned) and a live mouse.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kibbleswhites

You seriously need some live prey items for a baby that small.

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Unfortunately I did not know she was going to BE that small. As stated, I thought she would put on more weight before I got her and was very surprised that she was smaller then when I purchased her since a month had passed. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a breeder anywhere near me to try and purchase live prey from.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Insane

Per the seller I purchased her from, the GHI has been eating mouse hoppers. I can only take his word for it unfortunately, but have already contacted him about the eating/size issue after I initially unboxed her and he just keeps assuring me that she has eaten before. I've tried a F/T pinkie and two very small rat fuzzies (not even as big as the thickest part of her body) and she has not shown any interest in either of them. Even the smell of live mouse doesn't get her going.

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Like I say, do lower the temperatures, first and foremost. Maybe she's eaten, maybe she hasn't. Did he say how many meals? Just to be on the safe side, I would still proceed as if she doesn't understand food yet. Again, do try an actual mouse hopper. F/T if you have to, but a mouse hopper, none the less. For a F/T hopper, my best advice is still to warm it to just over 100 degrees and leave it over night. Zombie dancing at babies usually just terrifies them. (At least, from my own experience.) Place it in as quietly as possible, turn out the lights, and walk away until morning.

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And yes, the pied has a hide on the warm and cold side (although she prefers under the newspaper) and has wadded up paper towel in them since they are a bit tall to try and make them more snug. The picture posted was the one I took when I first set her up and had not put the hides in yet.

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Gotcha! Yep, nervous snakes tend to like to go under the paper a little more. Another thing you can try is switching her to aspen or cypress. That can help with a feeling of security.

Where in Florida do you live? If you are anywhere near a Pet Supermarket, they keep stocked on live hoppers. If she was eating live hopper mice, it would be best to try giving her the same thing she was used to. Not all babies will take f/t.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alicia

Like I say, do lower the temperatures, first and foremost. Maybe she's eaten, maybe she hasn't. Did he say how many meals? Just to be on the safe side, I would still proceed as if she doesn't understand food yet. Again, do try an actual mouse hopper. F/T if you have to, but a mouse hopper, none the less. For a F/T hopper, my best advice is still to warm it to just over 100 degrees and leave it over night. Zombie dancing at babies usually just terrifies them. (At least, from my own experience.) Place it in as quietly as possible, turn out the lights, and walk away until morning.

Gotcha! Yep, nervous snakes tend to like to go under the paper a little more. Another thing you can try is switching her to aspen or cypress. That can help with a feeling of security.

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I'm inching her temps down slowly and will pick up some hoppers this week to have them on hand. He did not say how many she had eaten, but when I asked him to provide a weight a few days prior to her shipping he said "she was eating and he would get them later." Surprise surprise he never provided the information I asked for. I will also pick up some aspen or cypress and see if that changes the pied behavior any. Would you also suggest this for the GHI female, or should I leave her as is? Thank you for the advice!

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

Where in Florida do you live? If you are anywhere near a Pet Supermarket, they keep stocked on live hoppers. If she was eating live hopper mice, it would be best to try giving her the same thing she was used to. Not all babies will take f/t.

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I have actually been to the Pet Supermarket a few times to pick up live mice (I live in Panama City), but every time I've asked they have told me they only have live adult mice. I even asked if they had any F/T hoppers and they did not have them either :/

I work at a Pet Supermarket in Bradenton, and I know we take special requests. Ask them to order hoppers for you and they will. We have a whole tub full in the rat rack at my store. :gj:

Great ball's you got there i like your dragonfly and ghi alot!

need to get me a ghi....

if you dont mind me asking what are ghi's going for atm?

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Originally Posted by ARBallMorphs

Great ball's you got there i like your dragonfly and ghi alot!

need to get me a ghi....

if you dont mind me asking what are ghi's going for atm?

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I was just at the fire show in lakeland and they had some ghi's there for 600 and up. i just put a deposit on a female that is 475 shipped. check online, a lot of people have them for sale

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Originally Posted by Insane

I'm inching her temps down slowly and will pick up some hoppers this week to have them on hand. He did not say how many she had eaten, but when I asked him to provide a weight a few days prior to her shipping he said "she was eating and he would get them later." Surprise surprise he never provided the information I asked for. I will also pick up some aspen or cypress and see if that changes the pied behavior any. Would you also suggest this for the GHI female, or should I leave her as is? Thank you for the advice!

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Changing the bedding couldn't hurt, but, generally I'd say adjust temp and prey choice first. If that doesn't do the trick, switch beddings, see if that makes a difference. (It really does seem to help insecure snakes feel better, a lot of the time.)

My fingers are totally crossed for you! I honestly just hope any of this helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alicia

Changing the bedding couldn't hurt, but, generally I'd say adjust temp and prey choice first. If that doesn't do the trick, switch beddings, see if that makes a difference. (It really does seem to help insecure snakes feel better, a lot of the time.)

My fingers are totally crossed for you! I honestly just hope any of this helps.

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Sorry for the silence! It's been a hectic week, trying to get caught up with work and homework, haven't had much time to get on here to update y'all!

As for the GHI, I got her temps down and let her be. I still had one live mouse and since I didn't WANT a live mouse to care for, I went ahead and offered it to my Dragonfly and Pied girls again (who again just bit it with no intent of eating it) and decided I would "offer" it to the GHI. I wasn't planning on giving it to her, as I felt it was too big but wanted to see how she reacted too it after the temp change. Long story short, I never even got the chance to pull it away, she snatched it up in a heartbeat. Not sure if it was the temp change or just because she saw live and was hell bent on having it. She took it down like a champ though, and after she finished swallowing it I didn't see any white between her scales that would indicate that it was too big. She's just now starting to look normal, so I might offer again next week.

For the pied I went ahead and crumpled up some newspaper in her tub until I could get some bedding. I noticed she was moving around more and actually spending some time above the newspaper liner the next day. I never got a chance to get out and buy the bedding :/ but she did take a F/T fuzzy last night. So I think the newspaper trick worked. I'll get my rack this week (hopefully no later than Wednesday), so I think I'll be moving her and the GHI to the 15 qt tubs to help with the security issue.

The Dragonfly (who've I have now named "Biscuit" do to her coloration and "flaky" personality) still hasn't eaten. Didn't have time to go pick up another live, (although I did get the contact information for a feeder rat breeder near by so now I have that option) so I attempted F/T again. Same response, checked it out for a minute then hightailed it to her hide. I went ahead and left it overnight but no such luck. I'm wondering if she even left her hide (I put it by the opening hoping she just wanted to "hunt" it from her hide). I shouldn't be as swamped this week, so I'll try and get a live weaned rat.

On a happy note, the albino clown took one of the live mice last week and a weaned rat yesterday. She has gained almost 30 grams since I got her less than a month ago (weighed her after she shed and defecated). Not sure if that's a good rate, but I'm happy with it :P

That's great! I'm especially happy to hear the GHI ate for you -- that little, I know how nerve racking it is when they aren't feeding. Hopefully, she does it again, and hopefully Biscuit comes around next :)