Eating problems

So I bought 2 ball pythons a few weeks ago and before I bought them they were fed live rodents. I tried for a few weeks to switch them but they wouldn't eat so I bought them live. STILL wouldn't eat. My adult female let the rat crawl all over her and I didn't want her getting bit so I took the rat out after a while. Why won't they eat? It's been a month at least

What are their enclosures like? Tanks? Tubs? What are their heat and humidity? What kind of hides do they have? How old are they? How was their former owner keeping them?

They're in tubs, belly heat flexwatt at 95. They have plastic hides, one adult 1.5 years old the other is around 300 grams so a few months old.

95 is probably too hot unless the interior temp of the tub surface is reading differently. You don't want the tub surface to exceed 90 max, even 88 or 89 is probably acceptable. That may not resolve the eating issue, but should be adjusted regardless.

I'll lower it then, would this really affect their eating?

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

I'll lower it then, would this really affect their eating?

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Anything that could potentially stress a BP out can stop them from feeding.


My BP went 10months without feeding, so don't worry too much just monitor your BPs weight make sure it isn't dropping to significantly

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as I'm sure you know, Bp's can be finicky and might still be stressed after the move even if its been a while. Many can go quite a while without eating and it's not as unusual as it seems. Offer food occasionally and monitor their weights. If no extreme weight changes occur, chances are it'll be fine until they come to their senses lol.

Jeez it stresses me out haha. And I don't know what to do with the live rodents if they aren't gonna eat them!

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

Jeez it stresses me out haha. And I don't know what to do with the live rodents if they aren't gonna eat them!

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It always stresses us out, even when you're used to them going off feed.

You can euthenize the rats with a C02 chamber. Just use dry ice and put them in a small cooler. Then you can freeze them and if you can eventually get your snake switched to F/T, you'll already have some stock.

95 is very hot I would suggest 88/90

As far as the adult female it is pretty common for adult females to go of feed from a few week to several months when changing environment, 50% of all adults female that I ever received have fasted for at least 6 to 9 months.

For the other one address the temp issue first, move into the smallest available tub, and provide aspen bedding to allow him to burrow.

Wow I never knew gender played a role. My male eats great it's just the females. Also, I was going to throw the male in with the female this weekend but since she hasn't eaten I think it's a bad idea. Maybe throwing him in and them locking will get her to eat though?

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

Wow I never knew gender played a role. My male eats great it's just the females. Also, I was going to throw the male in with the female this weekend but since she hasn't eaten I think it's a bad idea. Maybe throwing him in and them locking will get her to eat though?

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Depends on a few thing age / size is she a proven breeder, if so when did she lay last, has she gain all of her wait back plus more etc.

Many female that I have received on a lone did not go that first season because they would not eat and I was not satisfied with their weight and overall look so I gave them the season off.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Depends on a few thing age / size is she a proven breeder, if so when did she lay last, has she gain all of her wait back plus more etc.

Many female that I have received on a lone did not go that first season because they would not eat and I was not satisfied with their weight and overall look so I gave them the season off.

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She is a proven breeder but I am not sure when she layed last. Here is a picture of her if that would help determine her size http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...2b309a3d40.jpg

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

She is a proven breeder but I am not sure when she layed last. Here is a picture of her if that would help determine her size http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...2b309a3d40.jpg

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Well get a scale and try to find out when she last led, obviously this needs to be taken in consideration as well, for example I would not start pairing a female that just had eggs in September or October, which is why the more info the better. :gj:

I will text the guy I bought her from!

Any updates?

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Originally Posted by goddessbaby

Any updates?

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She last layed eggs about 18 months ago, so she is good to breed I'm just worried about her not eating. I have 2 hides in their tanks, the hot spot is around 90, idk why they won't eat. I know the one is about to shed so that might be why, but for the spider female I have no clue. I'm going to try again tonight

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

She last layed eggs about 18 months ago, so she is good to breed I'm just worried about her not eating. I have 2 hides in their tanks, the hot spot is around 90, idk why they won't eat. I know the one is about to shed so that might be why, but for the spider female I have no clue. I'm going to try again tonight

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Like I told you flashily female ls are easily prone to stress when changing environment if she has a good body weight and the quarantine is over start introducing the male to see if it triggers her appetite, if not it could take months for her to adjust and resume feeding which is nothing abnormal.


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Originally Posted by Deborah

Like I told you flashily female ls are easily prone to stress when changing environment if she has a good body weight and the quarantine is over start introducing the male to see if it triggers her appetite, if not it could take months for her to adjust and resume feeding which is nothing abnormal.


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What exactly do you mean by quarantine?

Also, just tried again with no luck. I'm going to put the male in her tub and see if they'll lock. Maybe that'll make them hungry