New to Forum and I have a problem...

:confuzd: Hello everyone I'm new to the forum and have a problem please help...I just got 2 baby balls we can't get them to eat....any ideas please help...info on the babies...well stupid me I got them from a pet store that has no idea about their background...I know I know never buy from a pet store..but I thought they would be fine and I'm sure they will if I can get them to eat the pet store said they ate for them...got them last friday and the force feed the one and he ate..but the other one wouldn't have anything to do with food he keep dropping it out of his mouth...both were dehydrated they now have plenty of water and are drinking(seen them) alot...temps are in the 80s by using a light I haven't got them a UTH yet but working on it...they have hides we have tried feeding at night, early morning, and day, so I'm lost as what to do now... any help is great at this point...also is there anything I can buy to give them to help them out...dewormer, vitamins, something to help them want to eat...I know you can use b12 for dragons can you use it on BPs too? If needed my e-mail addy is michele07_4411970@hotpop.com or michele07_441@hotmail.com please help I don't want to lose my new babies!!!!!!

Get the temps right ... 82-84 on one side, 92-94 on the other ... seperate them each into their own enclosure ... provide plenty of small tight places for them to hide on each side of the cage ... and leave them alone for at least 10 - 14 days (no touching, handling, poking, playing, etc) ... then offer them each a small live hopper mouse over night.

99% of the time ball pythons that do not eat, don't because of husbandry problems ... fix the husbandry problems and the snakes will eat.

Also, stop the force feeding ... it stresses them out more than it helps which only makes the problem worse.

-adam

I second everything Adam said.Please stop trying to force feed them as you are causing them more stress thats not needed.

Ball pythons...even babies....were designed to be able to withstand long periods of time without eating. So....take a deep breath...and relax.

Your first step is not getting them to eat...but getting their environments correct. Your second step is allowing them a chance to settle into their new homes so they can feel safe and secure enough to want to eat. And THEN offer them food.

Basically, this is just my long-winded way of seconding everything Adam just said.

For more details about how to achieve those temps or what sorts of hides to provide or other questions you may have about setting up their homes...take a look at our caresheet:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

Good luck with them. And be prepared to learn patience. It is a primary lesson BP's teach to their owners! ;)

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Originally Posted by JLC

Basically, this is just my long-winded way of seconding everything Adam just said.

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I like it! ;) :sweeet:

-adam

Thanks everyone...sometimes being a new mom to babies can be :confused: :confuzd: I knew I came to the right place for help :salute: :colbert2:

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Originally Posted by michele07_441

Thanks everyone...sometimes being a new mom to babies can be :confused: :confuzd:

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I hear that!! Education is the key to peace of mind in this situation....but even if you've read everything there is to read, it takes time and experience to get over those "new Mom" nerves!

Thanks...when it is time to feed them should the pinkies be live or frozen/thawed? Sry so many questions but I have never dealt with babies before..my older ball she eats anytime and eats frozen/thawed...she is 9yrs old and was over a year old when I got her....I also read on a different thread on here that it is save to feed them inside their enclosures...helps me out alot...and again Thank you for all of your help....;)

I think the choice between live and f/t is basically up to the keeper. Whatever works best for you and is most readily and consistently supplied. However, pet-store babies may take live much more readily than f/t.


If I were in your shoes, I'd start with live feedings until they are eating consistently and gaining weight well. Then eventually switch to f/t, if that were my preferred method of feeding.

Feeding live or f/t is entirely up to you, it's all personal preference. If they were fed f/t before you got them, they should be just fine and take them without hesitation. If not, then it may take awhile to switch them over. I feed live out of convenience...they're easier to keep, I don't have to deal with the nastiness of thawing out dead rodents, and I can control what they eat before becoming food. If frozen rodents are easier for you and you like them better, then by all means choose those. Once you get your babies eating, they should take whatever you want to give them. :)

Baby ball pythons are easy compared to baby humans...my husband and I have already decided no more kids, just more animals. lol! :D

for baby balls, mice fuzzies or mice hoppers are good to start them out on. i would try live to get them eating on their own and then do whatever method you prefer. get 6-8 meals in them steady and then try switching if you want. it is very important on the temps and setup, get that right first...



vaughn

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Originally Posted by michele07_441

Thanks...when it is time to feed them should the pinkies be live or frozen/thawed? Sry so many questions but I have never dealt with babies before..my older ball she eats anytime and eats frozen/thawed...she is 9yrs old and was over a year old when I got her....I also read on a different thread on here that it is save to feed them inside their enclosures...helps me out alot...and again Thank you for all of your help....;)

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Get the temps right ... 82-84 on one side, 92-94 on the other ... seperate them each into their own enclosure ... provide plenty of small tight places for them to hide on each side of the cage ... and leave them alone for at least 10 - 14 days (no touching, handling, poking, playing, etc) ... then offer them each a small live hopper mouse over night.

99% of the time ball pythons that do not eat, don't because of husbandry problems ... fix the husbandry problems and the snakes will eat.

Also, stop the force feeding ... it stresses them out more than it helps which only makes the problem worse.

-adam

Forget the pinkies, they're too small and have very little nutrition. Baby balls can easily accept rat pups or small mice. Your best bet would be to start them off on live and then go to f/t if you want. You can safely keep a rat pup in the cage overnight or a mouse fuzzy without worrying about them hurting your snakes.

Good luck!

:D Thanks to all of you for the great advise...it is nice to come onto a forum and get the help you have asked for..so thanks again:bow: :spid0r:

dont worry about them being from a pet store, thats not stupid, yeah from a breeder is better but i got mine from a pet store and the snakes in perfect health and eats every week w/ no problem at all...

Thank you all for helpping me out with my baby ball....I have yet to get him to eat...I am really worried but I keep trying and I will not give up on him...he is so sweet..never has tried to strike at any of us...we have not tried holding him again yet...we are giving him time to get use to his new home and things...I have the temps right and he has places to hide I just wish I could get him to eat...we don't want anything to happen to him...I think a trip to the vet. might be in order...if anyone has had this happen with their baby ball please let me know how long he is going to be able to go without food...I have searched info online about them but most of everything I have found is about older balls not babies...so if anyone can tell me how long he will be able to go off food and give some advise I would be greatful....thanks to all of you for still reading and answering back to me....:)

Well I have 2 BP's and one I just found yesterday under the bathtub floorboard and she was under a year when I lost her and that was almost a year and a half ago and she is still alive. I am not saying she starved but she is a little thin. I read a thread on here that BP's can go a long time without eating even up to six months. MY second BP wouldn't eat because she was goin into a shed, and once she was done still wouldn't eat I had to change the bedding and totally wash out the tank before she would eat again maybe it smelled to much like mouse who know's. I am sure everything will turnout ok, though. I hope so and keep us posted.