New to Site and New Ball Python

http://i58.tinypic.com/2lwkj77.jpgHey everyone! I'm new to the site and just recently purchased a normal ball baby a week or so ago. First off, I actually made an initial purchase of a pastel at Petco (I know, I've heard against buying from chain type stores, but the snake looked healthy)... Unfortunately, I brought the snake home and he ended up passing away shortly after. I returned back to the store and exchanged for this little guy. Before purchase, I was told that he was not eating and hadn't eaten for over 3 weeks. I took my chances and brought him home anyway...

Luckily, he has been eating regularly on F/T hopper mice every 5 days. He still looks somewhat thin to me but seems to be bouncing back. He also looks to possibly be a little dehydrated. I have been keeping his humidity up and catch him randomly drinking throughout the day. He's still a little skiddish, but once he is picked up, he's definitely a little explorer.


Any helpful advice for owning this little guy/gal would be appreciated. I used to own several ball pythons many years ago and never had any issues, but it's been so long ago and the pastel from a few weeks ago threw me off due to his quick demise. Any helpful info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you guys in advance!

- Matthew

p.s. I included a few pics of Amani... :)

Also wanted to add:

I have had Amani for approximately two weeks and have fed twice since purchase and have yet to see the snake strike and constrict food. Like I stated, I've been feeding F/T hopper mice and once I place the mouse in the cage (as I am feeding in the enclosure), she quickly begins smelling the air, makes a lap around the aquarium, focuses on the prey, and then opens and begins taking the prey. All without a strike (which I've never heard of before).

Just wondering if I'm doing something wrong or if something else may be wrong? Either way, after being told that she wasn't eating for weeks, I'm just happy to have a consistent eater, thus far.

Sorry for all of the questions. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

Thanks in advance!

We just got our bp about a month and a half ago so I'm no expert but I think that as long as shes eating and pooping and shedding like everyone says she'll be fine...
Weve fed ours live and f/t and he always strikes. But actually has an easier time with the live... Maybe I'm the one who needs help on how to feed f/t haha

Hopefully some of the experienced people here can chime in on this..

Thank you for your input! I appreciate it. I've never fed any of my previous ball pythons F/T so I guess that's why I'm questioning this behavior. Thanks again for your reply.

Welcome to this site, I'm new as well as of a couple of days ago! Sorry to hear about your previous BP. Your new one has a similar face pattern to mine. Really nice BP.

When feeding my python f/t, he will NOT eat it unless I hold him by his tail. He wraps his lower half of his body around my hand and then strikes for it. He's a funny character that obviously got too used to me holding him whilst he striked for the rat haha.

Welcome aboard. Your snake not constricting or striking isn't common but not abnormal behavior. I have had them in the past do the same thing. I called them the lazy eaters lol Keep the humidity up and plenty of water and your snake should be just fine.

Thanks! I appreciate the fact of knowing how quirky they all are in their own ways. I just wanted to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong or if there is anything I could be doing better. I appreciate the feedback and the welcoming!

Can anyone else chime in as to why she keeps doing this?

Prob smart enough to realize its already dead and doesn't want to waste the energy, use some forcepts and do the zombie dance and i bet she will strike, a few of my friends balls do this if he just drops in the f/t prey they dont bother striking and contricting, just go straight to chowing down, but if he holds it and makes it appear alive they strike it like they are starving to death

Yeah the one time i've fed f/t they don't strike and my snakes have had very little interest prey until i make it dance with hemostats.. :P I've got a little over 7 or so snakes (hard to keep track..) and i'm sure that number will jump this weekend once i get to the Minnesota Reptile Show/Expo.. i also have a subadult burmese.. all are VERY different.. some wont eat if i'm watching them.. lol

Ok, thanks for the idea. I had just never heard of them not striking before. Glad to know that I'm not the only one that's experienced this!

Have fun at the reptile show!

Welcome to the site! :)

Yeah, as others have said, every snake is different and they can be pretty weird at times. I have a BRB that will only eat if we lift her hide, place the f/t rat under it, and leave her alone. We tried the zombie dance and she burrowed away into the substrate, terrified. :rofl:

Thank you for the welcome! It just threw me off.

Also, does anyone have any insight why the pastel I purchased may have passed under 48 hours? I fed him a f/t hopper and the next morning he was gone. Petco really didn't have an explanation, but to my knowledge the setup and conditions were ideal (from what I read).

It happens... most do well, some are not as lucky. Most stores don't have trained employees. I was lucky to have a breeder/collector sell me my BP, the man knew what to look for. He had a detailed chart on the snake and I could see he was a good eater. He is a real slob with food...he does not care, does not get frightened, doesn't care what size his cage is etc... Some are real frail and can't handle the stress, my BP seems easy.....this all could change.

Thanks so much for your comment! I just felt like I had failed in some way for his quick demise.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and I look forward to speaking with everyone further in the future!