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I'm about to give up.

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  • 02-19-2020, 02:31 AM
    G0tti215
    I'm about to give up.
    This ball python I bought is really underweight (its like 75g-80g, I can see extra skin folds, and she syncs with her tail almost perfect I know they're suppose to be much thicker)and it' NOT EATING. It only ate twice out of the two months its been here. I'm honestly starting to lose my mind. All the temperatures are good as well. At this point I feel like it's trying to starve itself. Any ideas? Should I be worried? Ahhhhhhhh
  • 02-19-2020, 03:31 AM
    CALM Pythons
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    Need more info. Do you know anything about it like the age? Aprox how long is it at 75 grams? What kind of enclosure do you have? Is it quiet where you keep it? Any Pics so we can see its overall condition?


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  • 02-19-2020, 03:34 AM
    Noemi98
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    Have you tried offering her something different to eat? Like if you're giving her live, then f/t? It could be that she doesn't like what's being offered to her. Or It could be that she's just fasting. Many BP's tend to go into a fasting period during the winter months.

    If that isn't working then it may be that she isn't feeling well. Have you taken her to see a vet yet?



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  • 02-19-2020, 10:22 AM
    Stewart_Reptiles
    Do this to a T https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

    And if you can't or don't want to, surrender the animal to someone with experience when it comes to young BP

    If an animal is that frustrating think that you will experience the same frustration for the next 30 years, maybe not something you are ready for.
  • 02-19-2020, 10:44 AM
    G0tti215
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    Hey, it's a little under six months. Approx. 20-25 in. I have it in a 10 gallon tank. I covered 3 sides of the tank to try and make it feel more secure with two hides and couple fake vines hanging around. I put in the dining room because I'm usually in my room and there is little to no traffic there so it is fairly quiet.
  • 02-19-2020, 11:31 AM
    EL-Ziggy
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    If the snake has eaten twice in 2 months then it's not starving itself. I've never seen a healthy snake starve itself to death even though I've had a few stubborn eaters. Do you have a picture of your setup? What are your temps like and are they being regulated by a thermostat? Some snakes take a little longer to acclimate to new surroundings and BPs are notorious for taking long, unexplained food breaks. I had one BP that went 8 months, and another that went a full year, without eating and they were both fine. Try to stay patient and focused on solutions. They all eat eventually. You can try feeding live, braining, scenting, or a different prey type. I don't think that's necessary just yet though. If temps are dialed in accurately then just keep offering food every 2 weeks until he starts to eat. The hunger always wins in the end.
  • 02-19-2020, 11:45 AM
    Craiga 01453
    In order to help you we need more info....

    What are your temps?
    How are you heating the enclosure?
    How are you measuring temps?

    Are you handling the snake at all?

    What size prey are you offering?
    How often are you offering??

    Answering these questions will help us help you and your snake.
  • 02-19-2020, 11:46 AM
    CALM Pythons
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy View Post
    If the snake has eaten twice in 2 months then it's not starving itself. I've never seen a healthy snake starve itself to death even though I've had a few stubborn eaters. Do you have a picture of your setup? What are your temps like and are they being regulated by a thermostat? Some snakes take a little longer to acclimate to new surroundings and BPs are notorious for taking long, unexplained food breaks. I had one BP that went 8 months, and another that went a full year, without eating and they were both fine. Try to stay patient and focused on solutions. They all eat eventually. You can try feeding live, braining, scenting, or a different prey type. I don't think that's necessary just yet though. If temps are dialed in accurately then just keep offering food every 2 weeks until he starts to eat. The hunger always wins in the end.

    This. Above.
    Also at 24” or so 75-80 grams is not terrible. Give him sometime and do not try to feed every week. Try every 2 weeks. Refusing can become habit forming and stressful of they do not want to eat.


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  • 02-19-2020, 11:58 AM
    Stewart_Reptiles
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by CALM Pythons View Post
    This. Above.
    Also at 24” or so 75-80 grams is not terrible. Give him sometime and do not try to feed every week. Try every 2 weeks. Refusing can become habit forming and stressful of they do not want to eat.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    At a little under 6 months it is actually terrible (basically hatch weight) that needs to be addressed fast before the animal reached the point of no return but husbandry changes must be done. Especially considering the physical description along with the weight

    At that size and age the animal should be voracious if it's not it means the current husbandry is not working (among other thing)
  • 02-19-2020, 12:40 PM
    CALM Pythons
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles View Post
    At a little under 6 months it is actually terrible (basically hatch weight) that needs to be addressed fast before the animal reached the point of no return but husbandry changes must be done. Especially considering the physical description along with the weight

    At that size and age the animal should be voracious if it's not it means the current husbandry is not working (among other thing)

    Well you have a lot more hatchling experience Deb, Ive only owned about 8 total Constrictors within 32/33 years of keeping and a couple I got as sub adults.
    The 2 Balls I have now were around 59-70 grams if I can remember correctly and I got them around 3 - 6 months old. Even though they were from reputable breeders I believe the 6 month old was maintenance fed.
    Most take to eating right off the bat without trouble so something is going on with this lil guy.
    I haven’t seen the 10 gallon setup that is being used and do not know if heats regulated or what ambient is. If that was mentioned in another thread I missed it. Also wondering if there are hides provided. All my Balls eat with just their heads sticking out of a hide to this day at 2500 grams and years old.


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  • 02-19-2020, 05:32 PM
    G0tti215
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    Hey, yes I currently followed the instructions left in the other reply but as for the tank I have two small hides one at the top of each corner about 5' in diameter and about 5-6 inches high. I had a hollow log in the middle at one point to have kind of like a seperation and nice little path but was afraid of it getting stuck inside so I took it out. So, now its just the two hides and some decor vines going around. Does it need to be more packed for it to feel secluded? The ambient temps were usually around 85 degrees. The hot side stayed at around 92 degrees while the cool side averaged about 78. Btw it was eating when the log was inside because thats where it would usually digest it, did I mess up her routine you think?
  • 02-19-2020, 05:40 PM
    Craiga 01453
    What do you mean by your hides are in the top corner?

    I could be misunderstanding, but it sounds like the hides are elevated off the ground?? Is that right?

    Temps sound pretty good, I would just drop the hot spot down to 88-89.

    Sorry if I missed it, but are you handling the snake?
  • 02-20-2020, 08:34 AM
    CALM Pythons
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    With what you’re saying husbandry sounds OK, most of my hatchlings eat for the first year then start going off food the second year, otherwise I would suggest not to worry because it’s winter. I would leave him be for a couple weeks and then try again.


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  • 02-20-2020, 08:35 AM
    Moose84
    Re: I'm about to give up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by G0tti215 View Post
    Hey, yes I currently followed the instructions left in the other reply but as for the tank I have two small hides one at the top of each corner about 5' in diameter and about 5-6 inches high. I had a hollow log in the middle at one point to have kind of like a seperation and nice little path but was afraid of it getting stuck inside so I took it out. So, now its just the two hides and some decor vines going around. Does it need to be more packed for it to feel secluded? The ambient temps were usually around 85 degrees. The hot side stayed at around 92 degrees while the cool side averaged about 78. Btw it was eating when the log was inside because thats where it would usually digest it, did I mess up her routine you think?

    What are you attempting to feed this animal?
  • 02-20-2020, 09:13 AM
    Zincubus
    I'm about to give up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by G0tti215 View Post
    This ball python I bought is really underweight (its like 75g-80g, I can see extra skin folds, and she syncs with her tail almost perfect I know they're suppose to be much thicker)and it' NOT EATING. It only ate twice out of the two months its been here. I'm honestly starting to lose my mind. All the temperatures are good as well. At this point I feel like it's trying to starve itself. Any ideas? Should I be worried? Ahhhhhhhh

    Kinda sounds as though it may be dehydrated ??

    If it is ... a 30 minute soak will work wonders.

    A photo or two will be invaluable..

    I use TapaTalk to upload photos


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