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BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
As some of you may know, my BP has not been eating and it still isn't eating //: However, it's only lost 5 g in two weeks (67 g two weeks ago and 62 g today). The humidity is 50-70% and the ambient temps are around 88-90 F on the warm side and 75-80 F on the cool side. Also, there is a heating mat set at 90 F with a thermostat. I honestly am clueless as to why it's not eating at this point. I've even been braining the mouse after defrosting them! BTW the snake is 13-14 inches so I think it's like a year old. Does anyone have any idea as to what's going on?
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Do u have 2 hides?. Is it glass or plastic tub?. The snake might be stressed and that is one of the main reason that they dont eat. Are you handling it at all? Theres alot that can cause a snake stress.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dylan_
Do u have 2 hides?. Is it glass or plastic tub?. The snake might be stressed and that is one of the main reason that they dont eat. Are you handling it at all? Theres alot that can cause a snake stress.
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The BP has two identical hides (one on cool side, one on warm side). It is also in a glass aquarium. I've been handling it 2-3 times each week (with the exception of the first week of having it).
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
The BP has two identical hides (one on cool side, one on warm side). It is also in a glass aquarium. I've been handling it 2-3 times each week (with the exception of the first week of having it).
They suggest not handling at all untill atleast i think its 3 sucessful feeding. Try that. Also if he or she continues to drop wait and still wont eat u might have to try a live feeding untill the weight goes back up. Are u sure its the right prey size maybe its to big of prey?
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
The BP has two identical hides (one on cool side, one on warm side). It is also in a glass aquarium. I've been handling it 2-3 times each week (with the exception of the first week of having it).
stop handling the snake until it has eaten 3 times in a row. this is your first mistake.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dylan_
They suggest not handling at all untill atleast i think its 3 sucessful feeding. Try that. Also if he or she continues to drop wait and still wont eat u might have to try a live feeding untill the weight goes back up. Are u sure its the right prey size maybe its to big of prey?
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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...517c52fd4b.jpg
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by tttaylorrr
I use that chart and i try to recommend it to people too [emoji16]. I just forgot to post it this time. Thank you
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dylan_
They suggest not handling at all untill atleast i think its 3 sucessful feeding. Try that. Also if he or she continues to drop wait and still wont eat u might have to try a live feeding untill the weight goes back up. Are u sure its the right prey size maybe its to big of prey?
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Alright I'll stop handing it. I don't think the prey is too big but rather it may be on the smaller side. The mouse is just a little bigger than the BP's head and it's about the same size as the biggest girth part of the BP.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
Alright I'll stop handing it. I don't think the prey is too big but rather it may be on the smaller side. The mouse is just a little bigger than the BP's head and it's about the same size as the biggest girth part of the BP.
Your best bet is to go off the chart taylor has provided. But yes i would start with no handling at all. Just doing regular spot cleaning and water change untill u get 3 sucessful feedings
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dylan_
Your best bet is to go off the chart taylor has provided. But yes i would start with no handling at all. Just doing regular spot cleaning and water change untill u get 3 sucessful feedings
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Alright. By the way, is there a specific amount of days I should wait before offering it food again? And also, should I be worrying because the BP has only lose 5 grams in two weeks?
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
Alright. By the way, is there a specific amount of days I should wait before offering it food again? And also, should I be worrying because the BP has only lose 5 grams in two weeks?
7 days.
at this size, any weight loss is important to note and shouldn't be happening; ball pythons at this age are practically garbage disposals.
any refusals are likely husbandry, prey or stress related, which means something within your control. that should be reassuring. [emoji3]
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Like everyone said, no handling !!
On top of that you have to do everything to make the snake feel safe and comfortable. In one that young, it usually means going to a much smaller and more private enclosure until it eats well.
For now you can try to make the tank more private. Cover the sides and back with black construction paper (taped on the outside). Cover most of the top with a dark towel, just leaving enough open for good airflow or a lamp, if you have one.
Provide substrate for the snake to bury into slightly. Either Aspen or some kind of dark coco coir bedding. Make sure the hides are SMALL enough and dark. The snake has to feel snug. If there is to much free space, add another small hide or some fake plants.
If the snake is very exposed and in a light place, they don't feel safe. At least not until it has become better established at your place.
If you do all that, and things aren't working, you need to offer live food. You can always switch later !! If nothing else works, read the sticky about problem feeders. Sometimes you have to move them into a smaller tub to get a super shy snake eating reliably.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by zina10
Like everyone said, no handling !!
On top of that you have to do everything to make the snake feel safe and comfortable. In one that young, it usually means going to a much smaller and more private enclosure until it eats well.
For now you can try to make the tank more private. Cover the sides and back with black construction paper (taped on the outside). Cover most of the top with a dark towel, just leaving enough open for good airflow or a lamp, if you have one.
Provide substrate for the snake to bury into slightly. Either Aspen or some kind of dark coco coir bedding. Make sure the hides are SMALL enough and dark. The snake has to feel snug. If there is to much free space, add another small hide or some fake plants.
If the snake is very exposed and in a light place, they don't feel safe. At least not until it has become better established at your place.
If you do all that, and things aren't working, you need to offer live food. You can always switch later !! If nothing else works, read the sticky about problem feeders. Sometimes you have to move them into a smaller tub to get a super shy snake eating reliably.
Okay thanks! Does this look like too much open space?
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...C=w223-h167-no
And also, here's a size comparison of the prey and the snake. (I acknowledge the feeding chart but I would like to know what specific type of mouse/rat I should be feeding the snake)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...=w1186-h889-no
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
yes it does! even just one silk vine will be so much better for their security.
EDIT: also cover 3/4 sides with some dark paper or fabric to make the enclosure feel more...enclosed!
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Still a bit big and open.
If you can make identical hides like you have, but smaller openings, it would help. You could even cover some of the front with black paper, just until your snake eats well and is more comfy.
The meal looks a bit small. Do you heat it up correctly? If the heat signature isn't strong enough, it can cause them to refuse.
You might have to go to live meals for a few meals before switching, too..
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by tttaylorrr
yes it does! even just one silk vine will be so much better for their security.
EDIT: also cover 3/4 sides with some dark paper or fabric to make the enclosure feel more...enclosed!
Is it okay if I cover the sides with tinfoil (I did this for insulation).
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by zina10
Still a bit big and open.
If you can make identical hides like you have, but smaller openings, it would help. You could even cover some of the front with black paper, just until your snake eats well and is more comfy.
The meal looks a bit small. Do you heat it up correctly? If the heat signature isn't strong enough, it can cause them to refuse.
You might have to go to live meals for a few meals before switching, too..
Alright I'll try covering the front as well. However, I heard ball pythons need some light to distinguish a daylight/night cycle? And also, I'm pretty sure I heated up the meal correctly as I defrosted the mouse in warm water for 15-20 minutes until it was soft and room temp. And then I used a blow dryer to heat it up some more.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
Alright I'll try covering the front as well. However, I heard ball pythons need some light to distinguish a daylight/night cycle? And also, I'm pretty sure I heated up the meal correctly as I defrosted the mouse in warm water for 15-20 minutes until it was soft and room temp. And then I used a blow dryer to heat it up some more.
they don't need any type of light cycle. as long as they're not stuffed in a closet with no light, they're fine.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
The mouse does look a bit small. With young BP's, aim for a prey item that is 10-15% of the snake's bodyweight. So for a 62 gram BP, you want a 6-9 gram mouse. Basically a smaller hopper.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by tttaylorrr
they don't need any type of light cycle. as long as they're not stuffed in a closet with no light, they're fine.
Alrighty thanks!
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhompingWillow
The mouse does look a bit small. With young BP's, aim for a prey item that is 10-15% of the snake's bodyweight. So for a 62 gram BP, you want a 6-9 gram mouse. Basically a smaller hopper.
Okay I'll be sure to purchase a bigger mouse. (The mice I've been attempting to feed my BP are usually 5 g.)
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
Okay I'll be sure to purchase a bigger mouse. (The mice I've been attempting to feed my BP are usually 5 g.)
your ability to be open and receptive to advice is so nice to see. your baby will be on the right track in no-time with a loving owner like you. [emoji4]
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
Alright. By the way, is there a specific amount of days I should wait before offering it food again? And also, should I be worrying because the BP has only lose 5 grams in two weeks?
I wpuldnt worry to much its only 5 grams if it loses more the 10% of its body weight then id be getting concerned. If it doesent eat dont try again for 5 to 7 days i feed mine every 7+ days but babys i would do every 5.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dylan_
I wpuldnt worry to much its only 5 grams if it loses more the 10% of its body weight then id be getting concerned. If it doesent eat dont try again for 5 to 7 days i feed mine every 7+ days but babys i would do every 5.
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Actually i would just sticj woth every 7 days over feeding can cause health issues
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You don't have to cover the entire front. Maybe just a bit on each side, leaving the middle open. Just try to get the snake a lot more secluded and relaxed. No handling, then try feeding again, in about 5 to 7 days after the changes were done.
Make sure the mouse is well heated.
I would put it into HOT water for 5 to 7 minutes after its already defrosted. Not hot like painful or boiling hot of course. And make sure its already defrosted. Hot water like washing dishes with hot water.
It seems to heat the rodent nicely through and through.
Then roll it into a paper towel (mouse should feel warm and toasty) and take it to the snake immediately. By the time you unroll it it should still be really warm and mostly dry from the paper towel. Offer on tongs. Offer late in the evening, don't turn super bright lights on. Just enough to see what you are doing. Offer it by moving it a bit. If you don't get a strike, leave is and leave the room or at least, leave the snake undisturbed until morning. Sometimes they take it later on.
Don't leave live food unsupervised, unless its a young rodent that can't do damage.
good luck :)
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by tttaylorrr
your ability to be open and receptive to advice is so nice to see. your baby will be on the right track in no-time with a loving owner like you. [emoji4]
Thank you so much! I will try my hardest to make this baby BP healthy :)
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BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Everything as per post #25 above ..
One thing to consider ( apart from warming the mouse with a hairdryer then offering instantly ) is that some Royals ( all mine ) will only strike feed from within their hides so I check that they're settled under a hide .... quick blast with a hairdryer then instantly dangle it on front of the hide entrance ... if there's any interest then just keep repeating the above process as many times as it takes ..
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
As some of you may know, my BP has not been eating and it still isn't eating //: However, it's only lost 5 g in two weeks (67 g two weeks ago and 62 g today). The humidity is 50-70% and the ambient temps are around 88-90 F on the warm side and 75-80 F on the cool side. Also, there is a heating mat set at 90 F with a thermostat. I honestly am clueless as to why it's not eating at this point. I've even been braining the mouse after defrosting them! BTW the snake is 13-14 inches so I think it's like a year old. Does anyone have any idea as to what's going on?
Do this to a T https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101 at that age if he was well started it should be eating unless you are not meeting it's need. 98% off feeding issues with new owners are husbandry related.
And no your snake is not one year if he is 62 grams, that's the average weight of a BP out of the egg.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
When you feed, do you just drop it in or do you use tongs and wiggle the mouse around? My snake sometimes needs a little coaxing by seeing the mouse do the “zombie dance” before she decides it’s worth eating. I’ve only left the mouse in the tank without tongs once where she actually ate it.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maddlesrain
When you feed, do you just drop it in or do you use tongs and wiggle the mouse around? My snake sometimes needs a little coaxing by seeing the mouse do the “zombie dance” before she decides it’s worth eating. I’ve only left the mouse in the tank without tongs once where she actually ate it.
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I use tongs to make the mouse dance around and my snake always gets its head close to it and starts flicking its tongue but it never strikes ): After making the mouse dance with my tongs, I just put it in the tank and leave it there overnight (but she hasn't eaten). However, one time I came back home to find a mouse all ripped up so I'm assuming the BP attempted to eat it (though I do not know why it did not finish its meal). Also, I've recently started to brain/cut the mouse up so that the blood could possibly entice the BP to eat it.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
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My bp was skinnier than that when he refused to eat for weeks and he too was a baby at the time. Also, he looks wrinkly... Could be a sign of a shed coming up, which can contribute him not wanting to eat (for now). A hungry and ready to eat bp is usually found hiding and waiting. If it is wandering around during mealtime, and of course it did not take the food, I would double check your husbandry plus how you warm up your food. Personally I would move him to a small 6 qt tub especially that he may be in shed soon.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheesenugget
My bp was skinnier than that when he refused to eat for weeks and he too was a baby at the time. Also, he looks wrinkly... Could be a sign of a shed coming up, which can contribute him not wanting to eat (for now). A hungry and ready to eat bp is usually found hiding and waiting. If it is wandering around during mealtime, and of course it did not take the food, I would double check your husbandry plus how you warm up your food. Personally I would move him to a small 6 qt tub especially that he may be in shed soon.
Oh wow! Did it take you long to get your BP to eat?
Husbandry:
84-88 F on hot side and 75-80 on cool side (I've recently installed a CHE with a thermostat). However, I turn it off at night so the temps drop to 73 F.
In addition, I've noticed that the BP has been more active outside its hide and has been wandering a lot more after the addition of the CHE. Could there be a possible explanation to this? (BTW I am adding more clutter)
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by DPlant
Oh wow! Did it take you long to get your BP to eat?
Husbandry:
84-88 F on hot side and 75-80 on cool side (I've recently installed a CHE with a thermostat). However, I turn it off at night so the temps drop to 73 F.
In addition, I've noticed that the BP has been more active outside its hide and has been wandering a lot more after the addition of the CHE. Could there be a possible explanation to this? (BTW I am adding more clutter)
3 weeks and it would have been longer if I did not follow Deborah's sticky on how to get him to eat. Since then, he had flourished and ate well.
I don't use CHE for any of my reptiles but I would use a thermostat with it due to its ability to be too hot. Your temps should be confirmed with a temp gun if you don't already have one. CHE dries out the temp plus you have aspen in there, what is your humidity %? Too low can make him feel uncomfortable and eventually get sick, plus shedding issues.
I would also NOT go for night drops unless you have many years of experience under your belt, you know what you are doing, and your animal has been eating for you. Bp's are sensitive to changes.
Lastly, I would recommend following Deborah's sticky on how to get him to eat.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheesenugget
3 weeks and it would have been longer if I did not follow Deborah's sticky on how to get him to eat. Since then, he had flourished and ate well.
I don't use CHE for any of my reptiles but I would use a thermostat with it due to its ability to be too hot. Your temps should be confirmed with a temp gun if you don't already have one. CHE dries out the temp plus you have aspen in there, what is your humidity %? Too low can make him feel uncomfortable and eventually get sick, plus shedding issues.
I would also NOT go for night drops unless you have many years of experience under your belt, you know what you are doing, and your animal has been eating for you. Bp's are sensitive to changes.
Lastly, I would recommend following Deborah's sticky on how to get him to eat.
I have a thermostat for the CHE and the humidity stays around 50%.
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Hey everyone! I would like to thank all of you that have given me advice and help over these couple of stressful weeks! I am glad to say that my BP has finally eaten for me. Here's a picture (sorry for the low quality :D:D).https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...=w1251-h938-no
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Re: BP not eating but also not losing that much weight
Glad everything worked out for you :)
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