Worried about my bp

Little backstory. I know now that I should have gone through a more reputable place, but I'm not gonna give up on my little one. I got my bp from petsmart. He weighs 57g and about 14-15 inches long. From the last time the store feed him, it's been almost 3 weeks and he is not taking food. They said they were feeding f/t pinkies, but this forum has suggested hoppers for him. He won't go for pinkies or fuzzies (mice) and I'm going to get hoppers this week from a local breeder. Tank is 88-92 basking (uth) humidity around 55%. Cool side hovering 80. Hides on both sides which he uses. I've had him now for 2 weeks and he doesn't seem stressed. I feel like he is slow on the weight gain.

I called the sure and they said they don't release bp without them feeding 3 times, ave they do the f/t pinkies. I doubt know if I'm doing something wrong. I'm a little worried about him. I've read through the forums and there is so much conflicting advice that I can't seem to figure out what to do. I'm sure I'm over reacting. Any help would be lovely.

It may just be that he is not completely comfortable yet, I've heard of BPs not eating for up to a few months when they have a new home.

But I'm no expert, there are many other people who are extremely experienced and will be able to help you get to the bottom of this situation!

I wish all the best for your new BP! I'm sure once he is adjusted he will be okay and eating properly! The most important thing is the fact that you care so much.


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I got my first bp from Petco and same issue but I nursed her and she started to put on weight and now is pretty beefy lol I assisted in a feeding After 3 weeks of not taking anything. She did well and I've had her going on 6 years.

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please read this

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

pinkies and fuzzies are too small. get the hoppers. you may need to feed live to get started. Don't believe anything petsmart told you.

disregard talk of assist feeding.

How often are you offering food and when was the last time he ate? I think in your last thread you mentioned he managed to eat for you atleast once?

Could you show us your set up? That might help give us some more information so we can help identify any potential problems that were not covered.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

How often are you offering food and when was the last time he ate? I think in your last thread you mentioned he managed to eat for you atleast once?

Could you show us your set up? That might help give us some more information so we can help identify any potential problems that were not covered.

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He started to eat and I spoke too soon. He ended up spitting it out or regurging. Wasn't digested. I forgot to mention that. I'm sorry. He last ate the Wednesday before I got him. So if I'm correct it's been 2.5 weeks since his last feeding. I've tried once every 5 days and he normally is just disinterested. He has struck once and then didn't care.

He is in a 40g tank. Mesh top with foil over it.

http://i67.tinypic.com/1o64ba.jpg

Slasha, could U tell us about your setup? Is that stick on hygrometer on left side above hide? On right, how come you have sat the temp gauge down into the cage.. it looks as if it has a wire leading out of the cage? What are you using to heat, are thermostats present? And.. it may be tht the snake is stressed. That cage is really wide open, alot of empty space.

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40 gal tank is too big and bare for him. It's hard to tell in the picture but his hides look too big as well and they need to be matching. Hides should be tight and snug like a turtle shell hugging all their sides. It looks like the black flat one is a reptile basic hide box? Those are great but I think you need to go a size or two down.

You would be better putting him in a smaller, more appropriate sized tub but if you stick with this tank you need way more coverage and foliage and more clutter. I'm willing to guess the reason he's not eating is because he lacks the security he needs.

The hatchling 101 sticky basically covers everything you'll need to adjust.

Lastly, is that a stick on humidity gauge on the left? If so consider replacing it with something more accurate such as a digital one, as those gauge types tend to be wildly unreliable.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

40 gal tank is too big and bare for him. It's hard to tell in the picture but his hides look too big as well and they need to be matching. Hides should be tight and snug like a turtle shell hugging all their sides. It looks like the black flat one is a reptile basic hide box? Those are great but I think you need to go a size or two down.

You would be better putting him in a smaller, more appropriate sized tub but if you stick with this tank you need way more coverage and foliage and more clutter. I'm willing to guess the reason he's not eating is because he lacks the security he needs.

The hatchling 101 sticky basically covers everything you'll need to adjust.

Lastly, is that a stick on humidity gauge on the left? If so consider replacing it with something more accurate such as a digital one, as those gauge types tend to be wildly unreliable.

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All of this.

For my babies I use the white plastic containers that Hormel Complete meals come in. Cheap office lunch becomes a baby snake hide, just run the container through the dishwasher to clean it and then cut an access hole with heavy-duty scissors.

You can find leafy plastic plants that are inexpensive at craft stores like Michaels. Just make sure there are no closed loops or sharp points that could hurt your snake. Lay them right on top of the substrate so your snake can hide under them.

In the future stay out of the big box stores.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

40 gal tank is too big and bare for him. It's hard to tell in the picture but his hides look too big as well and they need to be matching. Hides should be tight and snug like a turtle shell hugging all their sides. It looks like the black flat one is a reptile basic hide box? Those are great but I think you need to go a size or two down.

You would be better putting him in a smaller, more appropriate sized tub but if you stick with this tank you need way more coverage and foliage and more clutter. I'm willing to guess the reason he's not eating is because he lacks the security he needs.

The hatchling 101 sticky basically covers everything you'll need to adjust.

Lastly, is that a stick on humidity gauge on the left? If so consider replacing it with something more accurate such as a digital one, as those gauge types tend to be wildly unreliable.

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I'll get more stuff for him for sure then. The wife has told me to stay with this tank. Ya, I learned my lesson from going to big box alright...feel bad cuz I feel like he is having a horrible time.

I have the stick on one there because I never took it off. I don't use it. The one in the back right is a digital temp/humidty one. It's probe for the basking temp runs to the hot side. I can replace his hides as well. He curls in the corner of each hide, but if it's not snug enough then I'll change them.

A quick fix for the hides is to crumple up some newspaper to take up the extra space and give him something to squeeze into.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

A quick fix for the hides is to crumple up some newspaper to take up the extra space and give him something to squeeze into.

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Like crumpled balls? Or crumple them and make them a little bigger?

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Originally Posted by SlashaLO

Like crumpled balls? Or crumple them and make them a little bigger?

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You could always try a combination of both and/or fill with substrate so your bp sorta has to dig his way in.

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Originally Posted by SlashaLO

I'll get more stuff for him for sure then. The wife has told me to stay with this tank. Ya, I learned my lesson from going to big box alright...feel bad cuz I feel like he is having a horrible time.

I have the stick on one there because I never took it off. I don't use it. The one in the back right is a digital temp/humidty one. It's probe for the basking temp runs to the hot side. I can replace his hides as well. He curls in the corner of each hide, but if it's not snug enough then I'll change them.

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Don't beat yourself up. The main thing is you're trying to make things right and coming to the right place to get the info you need :) Please continue to ask questions and everyone will be more than happy to help!

You can always save your current hides for later whenever he gets bigger, or if you stuff them, a bp can never have too many hides :) as long as he has two matching of the right size on each side.

Alternatively, here's an idea; once you get the appropriately sized hides you can use the big flat box one you have now as a "dig box" by flipping it upside down, fill with substrate and use that to place another hide over it so you can half bury it in substrate.

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Originally Posted by SlashaLO

The wife has told me to stay with this tank.

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Adding more clutter and filling the hides may help, and probably will. However, if not, you may have to show your wife this thread and convince her to consider a temporary switch to a smaller enclosure like a tub. The animal's health is top priority.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Alternatively, here's an idea; once you get the appropriately sized hides you can use the big flat box one you have now as a "dig box" by flipping it upside down, fill with substrate and use that to place another hide over it so you can half bury it in substrate.

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I might try that! Didn't even think of that. That's a really cool idea.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Adding more clutter and filling the hides may help, and probably will. However, if not, you may have to show your wife this thread and convince her to consider a temporary switch to a smaller enclosure like a tub. The animal's health is top priority.

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I'm actually talking to her today. I think we are going to go pick up a 20g tank for him today. I did exactly that. I don't know if he will ever need a 40g tank. But if he does, I got him covered!

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Originally Posted by SlashaLO

I'm actually talking to her today. I think we are going to go pick up a 20g tank for him today. I did exactly that. I don't know if he will ever need a 40g tank. But if he does, I got him covered!

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Sounds good. Believe it or not, the added security of a smaller enclosure often makes a HUGE difference when getting a juvenile snake on the right track and eating regularly.

Also , add some branches and fake foliage from a dollar store and your Royal / Ball will spend the evenings exploring !!


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I second the dollar store comment. I get a lot of my reptile "supplies" there, i.e. water bowls, hides, plants ect. And if something happens get messed up or broken during cleaning, say a water bowl, oh well, I just go but another one. Sorry, I got a bit off topic.

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Originally Posted by NibblerGP

I second the dollar store comment. I get a lot of my reptile "supplies" there, i.e. water bowls, hides, plants ect. And if something happens get messed up or broken during cleaning, say a water bowl, oh well, I just go but another one. Sorry, I got a bit off topic.

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Oh and spray /misting bottles also from dollar shops only cost 99 cents :)


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I found that adding clutter did wonders with all the conditions perfect. I have no free floor space in my balls enclosure and haven't had any issues since. Covering the entire floor with hides has resulted in my ball not refusing food - if anything he is getting fat.

Sorry your little guy isn't eating. I'm hearing more and more that Petsmart is feeding pinkies. I work for Petco and my BP's don't even get sold until they are on adult mice. If they are refusing food, not 60g, and are not on adult mice they don't even hit the sales floor until they are all of the above. I have one snake in the back since June because I'm still assist feeding him. He just does not want to fricken eat. Petsmart needs to get their protocols changed!

Is your little guy eating yet?

Just an update. I got the 20g tank abs some more clutter for him. I opted not to handle at all this week. I'm gonna try getting tomorrow. If he refuses I'm going to transfer him, he will already be mad at me anyway lol. If he eats I'll wait a day or two then transfer him. Since it's only been a week since last try, I haven't tried feeding yet. Here's hoping tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by SlashaLO

Just an update. I got the 20g tank abs some more clutter for him. I opted not to handle at all this week. I'm gonna try getting tomorrow. If he refuses I'm going to transfer him, he will already be mad at me anyway lol. If he eats I'll wait a day or two then transfer him. Since it's only been a week since last try, I haven't tried feeding yet. Here's hoping tomorrow.

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Try the hairdryer method AND generally best to feed in the evenings


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SlashaLO

Just an update. I got the 20g tank abs some more clutter for him. I opted not to handle at all this week. I'm gonna try getting tomorrow. If he refuses I'm going to transfer him, he will already be mad at me anyway lol. If he eats I'll wait a day or two then transfer him. Since it's only been a week since last try, I haven't tried feeding yet. Here's hoping tomorrow.

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Sent you a PM on feeding ( hairdryer method ) for you to consider ;)


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Sent you a PM on feeding ( hairdryer method ) for you to consider ;)


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Thank you very much! I think I've actually read your reply in a few other threads also haha. I will give that a try tomorrow!

Final update! I didn't handle him all week. Thawed the mouse on top of the tank for several hours. Held the mouse to the light to great. Put the mouse in and he struck in about 10 seconds! Wrapped him up and gobbled it! Thanks for all the suggestions.

http://i65.tinypic.com/2zir96a.jpg

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Originally Posted by SlashaLO

Final update! I didn't handle him all week. Thawed the mouse on top of the tank for several hours. Held the mouse to the light to great. Put the mouse in and he struck in about 10 seconds! Wrapped him up and gobbled it! Thanks for all the suggestions.

http://i65.tinypic.com/2zir96a.jpg

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Congratulations !!

You'll have more confidence next time :)


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SlashaLO

Final update! I didn't handle him all week. Thawed the mouse on top of the tank for several hours. Held the mouse to the light to great. Put the mouse in and he struck in about 10 seconds! Wrapped him up and gobbled it! Thanks for all the suggestions.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/2zir96a.jpg

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Yay great to hear.:D