Feeding a baby bp

I have received a baby albino ball python last Friday. Came fedex overnight. According to the breeder he starts them on hopper mice then switches them to adult mice asap. Its regular feed schedule is Friday's. Well now it's monday and the snake will not touch the prey. In fact it just balls up in the end of the tank. My question is. Is it normal for a baby snake not to eat after transport like this. This is my first no. Thanks in advance

Yes it should be expected.
Were they feeding lie or frozen and what did you try?

I was told alive adult mice.... but honestly I feel as if an adult is too big. Compared to the body. I have tried both adult and small mice now. The bp acts as if it scared of the prey

Strange. Can you describe your tank setup bc this may be where the issue lies. Temperatures, humidity, cool side and warm side readings. Your hot spot also on the floor of the enclosure. Especially important, are what type of hides does the little guy have access to?

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Strange. Can you describe your tank setup bc this may be where the issue lies. Temperatures, humidity, cool side and warm side readings. Your hot spot also on the floor of the enclosure. Especially important, are what type of hides does the little guy have access to?

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So it's 15 gallon set up humidity is kept at 60% cool side is 81° hot side is 89.3° have a under tank heater as well. His hide is one of those half a log hide in the cool end with the area of the hide in back is blacked out. Then he's got a child's shoe box on the heated end.

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Originally Posted by Albinosulfur

So it's 15 gallon set up humidity is kept at 60% cool side is 81° hot side is 89.3° have a under tank heater as well. His hide is one of those half a log hide in the cool end with the area of the hide in back is blacked out. Then he's got a child's shoe box on the heated end.

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Are your heating elements regulated with a thermostat? The python needs access to smaller and tighter hides. Those half logs are not adequate security. I would think the child's shoe box may be a bit large also. Can you post a picture of your setup? Baby ball pythons do much better in 6 qt. enclosures.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Are your heating elements regulated with a thermostat? The python needs access to smaller and tighter hides. Those half logs are not adequate security. I would think the child's shoe box may be a bit large also. Can you post a picture of your setup? Baby ball pythons do much better in 6 qt. enclosures.

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Honestly at this time the under tank heater from zoo med is not being regulated but the heat lamp is. I've got about 2 inches of substrate. Can't take a pic atm as I'm out on my salt route. But can this evening

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Originally Posted by Albinosulfur

Honestly at this time the under tank heater from zoo med is not being regulated but the heat lamp is. I've got about 2 inches of substrate. Can't take a pic atm as I'm out on my salt route. But can this evening

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You should unplug the UTH as soon as possible and leave it unplugged until it's on a thermostat. ALL heat sources should be regulated, as they can cause SERIOUS burns and even cause heat spikes that can be fatal.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

You should unplug the UTH as soon as possible and leave it unplugged until it's on a thermostat. ALL heat sources should be regulated, as they can cause SERIOUS burns and even cause heat spikes that can be fatal.

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Can I run just the dimmable heat lamp

Is this doable

If you uth is not regulated unplug it and just use lamps. That's what I'm doing until I fix my uth, probe problem.

Can I use just the purple heat lamp that has a but in dimmer

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Originally Posted by Albinosulfur

Can I use just the purple heat lamp that has a but in dimmer

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yes, but i would get the UTH regulated as soon as you can. here is an affordable thermostat that most of us start out with before shelling out the dough for a better/more reliable model.

here is a diagram for how to set up the UTH with the thermostat:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...430ea3fcc0.jpg

And NEVER use tape or anything g sticky inside the enclosure. Use a hot glue gun.

Yes, you can heat using only the lamp. If it's on a dimmer you can tweak as needed to achieve proper temps. Your UTH is solely there to provide a hot spot, not for your ambient temps.

If your house isn't ridiculously cold and your heat pad is a decent size you can just use the thermostat on the heating pad and then use a zoomed repti-sun 5.0 compact fluorescent for light.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

yes, but i would get the UTH regulated as soon as you can. here is an affordable thermostat that most of us start out with before shelling out the dough for a better/more reliable model.

here is a diagram for how to set up the UTH with the thermostat:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...430ea3fcc0.jpg

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just wanted to say thank you for your help... my male albino has ate finally

may i ask why this is......

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

And NEVER use tape or anything g sticky inside the enclosure. Use a hot glue gun.

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and why cant one use tape?

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Originally Posted by Albinosulfur

may i ask why this is......

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and why cant one use tape?

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Simply because tape of any kind is lethal INSIDE a viv or rub/tub. The snakes rub the edges of the tape loose and the tape can and will do terrible damage to them .
Google has loads of horrific images of injuries caused by tape .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Tape has stuck to snakes ripping off scales, has wrapped around them and broken their necks, etc...etc...
Tape inside an enclosure is a GIANT NO.

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Originally Posted by Albinosulfur

and why cant one use tape?

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here's one reason
and another
and another

we see it all the time.

No I have tape on the outside of his top screen(for humidity) that shouldn't be a issue right?

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Originally Posted by Albinosulfur

No I have tape on the outside of his top screen(for humidity) that shouldn't be a issue right?

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as long as the snake CAN NOT touch it, then yes it's fine. i have tape on my enclosure top, but it's on the solid part and does not touch the mesh.