I need some help!

I just got an adult ball and he seems to be 400 grams under weight for his size. He also has a pink belly. Theres no blisters but during the day his belly will liten up and get darker. He is not eatting for me. The female I bought along with him is perfect weight and doesnt seem to be anything wroung with her. Also the male seems to have had a broken spine at some point. If anyone has any ideas about his belly it would be much help to me.


Thanks, T.J.

Welcome to the forum! :welcome:

I've never heard of a Ball belly changing colors during the day, but perhaps some of the more experienced Ball keepers can chime in.

When you said "400 grams underweight", I'm wondering what you used for a reference? How long is he, and how much does he weigh?

As far as not eating, how long have you had him? How old is his spinal injury? Are you keeping him with the female? Could you describe his setup? What was he eating with the previous owner, and what are you offering him now?

I compared hime to my other male that is the same size. I've only had him for about 5 days now. I dont know how old his spine injury is, but it doesnt seem to bother him at all. He still gets around fine and has a tight grip when he raps around my hand. I tired taking him away from the female and put him in an a differnt tank of mine but he went nuts so i put him back with the female. They were feeding him a small rat every 2 weeks, he's big enough to eat a Med to large. They also had him in a 20 gallon tank with the female. He is now in a 55 gallon.

Take him AWAY from the female, even if he "goes nuts". He'll forgot about her.

Great, thanks for the extra info.

First off, I would have to recommend that you separate them and give him his own cage. Snakes are solitary creatures that do not "bond" with other snakes, and by housing them together you can create a host of issues like not eating and stress related illnesses.

Second, I wouldn't worry too much about him not eating after five days. Balls need a period of adjustment when they are relocated into a new environment. Leave him alone for a week without handling him in his own cage, and then try feeding him again. If he has the proper environment, temps, and places to hide he will feel comfortable and start eating for you.

Finally, you shouldn't compare the size of your new snake to your existing male. They come in all sorts of sizes and shapes just like people. However, he still may be on the thin side but you can determine that by looking at his shape. If you can post a pic we might be able to tell you if he looks a little thin.

The only time I have been handling him is to check on him. Other then that I have been leaving him alone. I'll have some pic of him up soon so you can see. Thanks for your help so far.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...s/100_1360.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...s/100_1359.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...s/100_1344.jpg


Heres some pics of him....

could be going into shed perhaps? have you seen its eyes go a bluish/gray color yet?

Thats what I thought at first and started to watch for his eyes to turn but they never have.

Hmm... he does look a little skinny. His spine isn't showing, but that flap of skin make me think he could use a few rats. Nate might be right about the shedding. You've only had him for five days, so I would give him a week to see if he's going to shed and if not, to try and feed him again.

In the mean time, I would suggest you find a local herp vet to give him a proper checkup. Although there are a lot of experienced people on this forum, we're not a substitute for a hands on evalution from a professional.

Good luck!

I'm gonna get him to one soon. Thanks again for your help.

red belly like that = shedding, like nate said, usually happens about 1-2 weeks before a shed for mine.

Leave him alone for a week or two, don't try feeding for that same length of time. he needs time to settle in. Going nuts because he was placed in another cage is because he was placed in a new cage that he was probably just exploring and smelling. small rats is fine for ever. get him checked out by a vet, and get him an xray and see whats up.

~mike

Wow, he seems pretty skinny. Should be about half an nich to an inch thicker. Some people feed larger prey than a small rat, and if you do, just make sure it isnt live. I feed two small rats to my 5footer, but I should probably feed 3 at the time but my snake doesnt liek eating multiple of fodos and Im lucky he does for the small rats

Well theres some good news. He has gone into shedding. So I'm going to keep a close eye on him and hopefully everything looks good with his belly afterwards. And I'm hoping he will eat for me once he does shed.

I think you're right on with the shed. After that he'll need a good meal. :rockon:

Good luck with getting a meal inhis tummy after he sheds!

Maybe it's just that picture or my eyes this morning but that belly looks off to me. A few brownish areas of concern but again it may be the picture and one should never make these judgements online anyways. Personally since this snake has an iffy background, is underweight and you say it has a spinal issue I'd think a vet visit is definitely in order. As far as feeding remember that smaller weekly meals are often healthier for your snake than large ones. Most male BP's would never need a medium to large rat a week to be in top shape and if you feed live, that's a very large and potentially difficult prey item for any snake to handle. There are a number of very good threads here about communal housing, you might want to have a read through them.

Well he shed this morning. Belly is looking great. Will post so pics of it in the next day or so. No I am trying to get him to eat. So far he has refused to take a live Rat, then Dead Rat, tommorow I'll try F/T. Just hoping this guy will eat for me cuase he needs it.