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BP not eating

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  • 10-23-2014, 08:58 PM
    Velius6577
    BP not eating
    I've had my ball python for a little over a month now. He is my first pet snake. I bought him at a reptile convention in Madison, WI a little over a month ago. The breeder claimed he was two months old and was already eating, but now I'm getting the feeling that he lied to me. He hasn't eaten since I bought him. I've tried feeding him everything, F/T pinkie mice and fuzzies, live pinkie mice and rats, and a live small hopper mouse. He doesn't even show any interest in any food. He is pooping about once a week, which I find weird since he hasn't eaten in so long, if ever at all. He is in a 10 gal tank, a hide on the hot side and one on the cool side, and a water dish big enough for him to soak in. His hot side is at 87 degrees F and cool side and the 79 degrees F. His humidity is around 60 at night and between 40 to 45 during the day. I'm not sure what to do at this point. He's starting to look a little thin, and it worries me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks.
  • 10-23-2014, 09:00 PM
    Velius6577
    Re: BP not eating
  • 10-23-2014, 09:53 PM
    Billy305
    Re: BP not eating
    I'd bump the hot side up about 5 degrees. Hatchlings especially like it a little warmer in my opinion. 91-92 F. Also I'd recommend not disturbing him as much as possible until he is established. Don't go in to the cage for anything but to change the water and leave him alone. Try to feed him in about 5 days after you have raised the heat and left him alone.

    They are very shy most of the time at that size and are best left alone until they become stronger eaters.
  • 10-23-2014, 09:56 PM
    Velius6577
    Re: BP not eating
    I'm not really sure how to raise the temp without frying him. I have a heating pad under his tank plus a 50 watt over head bulb that is on for 12 hours per day. Is upping the wattage safe?
  • 10-23-2014, 09:57 PM
    Billy305
    Re: BP not eating
    Post a overhead pic of his tail straightened out a little. That's where you can see if hatchlings are truly skinny in my opinion.

    Also if he is regularly pooping, id say he had most likely been eating. They can hold it for a while, especially without enough heat
  • 10-23-2014, 09:58 PM
    Billy305
    Re: BP not eating
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Velius6577 View Post
    I'm not really sure how to raise the temp without frying him. I have a heating pad under his tank plus a 50 watt over head bulb that is on for 12 hours per day. Is upping the wattage safe?

    How are you measuring the heat
  • 10-23-2014, 10:01 PM
    Velius6577
    Re: BP not eating
    http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...b5530896d4.jpg
    That's his cool side temp at night, by the way.
  • 10-23-2014, 10:02 PM
    Velius6577
    Re: BP not eating
    Should I have the gauges lower?
  • 10-23-2014, 10:05 PM
    coldbloodaddict
    Re: BP not eating
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Velius6577 View Post
    Should I have the gauges lower?

    you shouldn't have them at all, they are inaccurate. Get a temp gun.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 10-23-2014, 10:05 PM
    Billy305
    BP not eating
    Those gauges can be inaccurate. I would really invest in an IR temp gun. They can be had for 10-20 local or on Amazon. They are very accurate. Just point and shoot to get an accurate instant reading
  • 10-23-2014, 10:08 PM
    Velius6577
    Re: BP not eating
    Okay, that's something I will definitely get my hands on then. Is there any accurate kind of gauge that will consistently measure the temps?
  • 10-23-2014, 10:13 PM
    Billy305
    BP not eating
    I've had the best luck with these. They can be bought at Walmart for about $13. They will measure temp in 2 locations.

    http://m.acurite.com/thermometer-with-wired-probe.html

    (1 via a probe) and humidity. I still wouldn't use it as my sole reading. Still
    Better than the gauge style
  • 10-23-2014, 10:16 PM
    Velius6577
    Re: BP not eating
    Great, thank you very much!
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