2nd feeding failed,Help

Hi,

I bought my ball python 2 weeks ago. When I bought it I asked if he ate well and he said yes and it was the first time he ate F/T rat,it was on the 11th and since then he refused 2 small F/T rats.
One yesterday night and one on Friday 22. Note that on the 22 he had just finished shedding. I fed him in daylight on the 22 and tried night time yesterday. The 2 times I tried reheating the rat with hot water and no result...
I'm getting worried, he's quite young and he measures about 1 and quarter foot. My husbandry is right and I didn't handle him yesterday, only to change him to his feeding enclosure.
Please Help.
Fred.

don't worry about it it's normal

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Originally Posted by PI-Thon

Hi,

I bought my ball python 2 weeks ago. When I bought it I asked if he ate well and he said yes and it was the first time he ate F/T rat,it was on the 11th and since then he refused 2 small F/T rats.
One yesterday night and one on Friday 22. Note that on the 22 he had just finished shedding. I fed him in daylight on the 22 and tried night time yesterday. The 2 times I tried reheating the rat with hot water and no result...
I'm getting worried, he's quite young and he measures about 1 and quarter foot. My husbandry is right and I didn't handle him yesterday, only to change him to his feeding enclosure.
Please Help.
Fred.

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Hi Fred, Do you know how much your ball weighs or about how old he is? When you bought him, did you ask to see him fed? Sometimes pet stores will be less than forthright with information!

I didnt ask them to see him fed but they were feeding him stunned rats before and on the 11th it was his first F/T rat. They told me about 4 months, I don't know his weight, but he still seems healthy, I can see the top of his spine but he's still strong.
Could it be because the enclosure I put him in is too big?
Should I just try refeeding today in the Everyday enclosure?
And I refroze the rat is that okay? (defrosted and 1h with the snake and refroze)
Thank you all for your input, this community is unbelievably helpfull!

Every herp keeper has a way to feed that works for them and their snakes, so I can only share my way. I always feed my snakes in their enclosures; I never move them. I have snakes in reptile cages and tubs and they all eat just fine. That said, your snake is really young and so he might need either the entire cage filled with crumpled newspaper (to make him feel more enclosed) or he might need a tub for the next several months (to enclose him more).
As for f/t, I take my rats out in the morning of feeding day. I set them on the counter (my hubby hates this) and let them thaw for the day. By dinner time they are smooshy! I open the bag of smooshy rats and put it in the room with the snake racks and cages. This allows for pre-scenting to happen.
When we mammals are finished eating and the dishes are done, it is time to feed the reptiles. I take the rats out of the room and hemostat them by their scruff and blow dry their head and tummy area. This raises the heat signature and further releases that rodent smell :P I then take the rodent (still on the hemostats) and feed a snake. SLAM! They pound those rats like there is no tomorrow!!!!
I personally do not re-freeze rats, but there are members of the forum who do refreeze without any issue.
Good luck with your little guy!! I hope this helps...:)

I'm not surprised that he wont eat if you've only had him for 2 weeks. The general rule of thumb is to leave the new snake alone for two weeks, and no long handling sessions until he takes his first few meals.

He's settleing in, and he may not eat until he feels comfortable.

Also, refreezing rats is pretty icky.

I never had a problem with feeding a newbie and I've never waited a full week to feed. With that said my set ups are always perfect so I am assuming yours are too. Before you get all worried try feeding him a live large mouse(25g). I always feed live the first couple times just to get them eating then worry about switching them over to FT. Theres no need to stun the prey either as they can handle killing it with out any real issues. Id try dropping a large mouse in the tub and give it about an hour and see what happens. If he/she just got done shedding and temps/humidity are correct you shouldnt have a problem.

As Mickey pointed out, we all have different ways of feeding. I feed all of my snakes in their enclosures. With a new snake, I'd just let him settle in for a week and then try feeding him. You may want to go back and try a stunned rat to get him feeding again when you try next week. Then you can again move to F/T and see how he does.

I also have no trouble refreezing my rats, as long as they haven't been out for long (less than an hour). I thaw mine by taking them out of the freezer and putting them in a big bowl. I then cover with warm water and leave them for 20-30 min. When I come back, I dump out the now cold water and again fill with hot water. I'll also take out any smaller rats (I feed from fuzzies to medium rats) and put them in a smaller bowl and fill that with warm water. The larger rodents I leave while I go feed the smaller kids. When I come back in 15 min or so, the larger ones are ready for a reheat of the water and sit for a few minutes before I start feeding everyone.

If you can, I'd suggest purchasing a digital scale. This way you can weigh him regularly to track any changes in weight.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I'm not surprised that he wont eat if you've only had him for 2 weeks. The general rule of thumb is to leave the new snake alone for two weeks, and no long handling sessions until he takes his first few meals.

He's settleing in, and he may not eat until he feels comfortable.

Also, refreezing rats is pretty icky.

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I've never bought into this. I feed them as soon as i get them home
and have never had one turn down a meal.

But thats what works for me.

I don't thinks it's a good idea to refreez rats:rolleye2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I'm not surprised that he wont eat if you've only had him for 2 weeks. The general rule of thumb is to leave the new snake alone for two weeks, and no long handling sessions until he takes his first few meals.

He's settleing in, and he may not eat until he feels comfortable.

Also, refreezing rats is pretty icky.

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Really, I bought a 5 month old ball 10 days ago and he will be getting his 4th meal tonight. :O Your snake might be stressed or he might not be completely ready to take f/t yet, or both. Do what the other posters said and try the crumpled newspaper and leave him alone for a week. Next week maybe try a pre killed to see if he just isn't all about f/t yet. Once he's eating good for you you can try getting him on f/t. I've had a few that would take f/t once or twice, then wouldn't touch them again for months.

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Originally Posted by TheMissingLink

I've never bought into this. I feed them as soon as i get them home
and have never had one turn down a meal.

But thats what works for me.

I don't thinks it's a good idea to refreez rats:rolleye2:

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I'm sorry you dont buy into it... It's pretty common; snakes need an adjustment period which can include refusing meals. Handling stresses a snake that is in a new environment, and can also lead to refusing of meals. As always it depends on the snake.

Personally, I have offered food the day we got home and they have eaten, but I have also had snakes refuse a meal or 2.

I keep them in a rack, and I find it's easier for them to transition from a breeders rack to mine and that is a part of the success I have with feeding the same week I get them.:)

It really depends on the set up... If you got temps/humidity where they need to be and your using reliable measuring sources your snake should settle in rather quickly. I usually wait until they find their way into a hide and are chillen. This is usually a good sign that theyre comfortable. If your temps/humidity arnt correct you wont get a snake to eat or settle in. Its more important that you have correct temp/humidity not the time they need to be left alone.

PythonWallace... what are you feeding your new guy that he needs to eat every 2-3 days?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I'm sorry you dont buy into it... It's pretty common; snakes need an adjustment period which can include refusing meals. Handling stresses a snake that is in a new environment, and can also lead to refusing of meals. As always it depends on the snake.

Personally, I have offered food the day we got home and they have eaten, but I have also had snakes refuse a meal or 2.

I keep them in a rack, and I find it's easier for them to transition from a breeders rack to mine and that is a part of the success I have with feeding the same week I get them.:)

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I think you're right about easier transitioning from breeder racks to personal racks. That said, even the one's I have in reptile cages have never chilled for 2 weeks before eating a meal! Like you said, every snake and situation is different! :) In fact, I'm feeding my new 8Ballers tomorrow night (Thursday) since that's my feeding night and some of them seem totally ravenous!! :O

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I'm sorry you dont buy into it... It's pretty common; snakes need an adjustment period which can include refusing meals. Handling stresses a snake that is in a new environment, and can also lead to refusing of meals. As always it depends on the snake.

Personally, I have offered food the day we got home and they have eaten, but I have also had snakes refuse a meal or 2.

I keep them in a rack, and I find it's easier for them to transition from a breeders rack to mine and that is a part of the success I have with feeding the same week I get them.:)

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In some cases this may be true. But i have had bps come in from Utah , Mass , Maryland and The long drive from Daytona and i feed them has soon as i get them in their home.

With no problems. Maybe i'm lucky who knows?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I'm not surprised that he wont eat if you've only had him for 2 weeks. The general rule of thumb is to leave the new snake alone for two weeks, and no long handling sessions until he takes his first few meals.

He's settleing in, and he may not eat until he feels comfortable.

Also, refreezing rats is pretty icky.

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I'm glad you said generally, I had my first snake, and every day for the first week I was working on his tank (which means he wasn't it in, usually in a shoe box, or the 10g tank). First time I fed him it took him a minute or two, and me turning the lights out and he took it. It was a pinky rat.

When I fed him a fuzzy rat (4 days later) I pre-scented and he had NO problem taking that. I'm not saying that you shouldn't leave the snake alone, but it's not always manditory.

also is it normal he never goes to the hot side?
and at night he's always trying to get out... during the day he stays in his hide on the cold side. I also tried switching the 2 hides to see if he wasn't going on the hot side because of the hide, which isn't the case. And I bought it at a pet shop which used the same kind of Exo-terra I am using.
between, his temps are good and humidity varies a bit (48-60%) but all in all everything is fine.
Thanks again,
Fred.

can anyone answer the above questions?
and should I just try feeding him live?

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Originally Posted by PI-Thon

also is it normal he never goes to the hot side?
and at night he's always trying to get out... during the day he stays in his hide on the cold side. I also tried switching the 2 hides to see if he wasn't going on the hot side because of the hide, which isn't the case. And I bought it at a pet shop which used the same kind of Exo-terra I am using.
between, his temps are good and humidity varies a bit (48-60%) but all in all everything is fine.
Thanks again,
Fred.

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Do you watch him 24 hours a day?

as far as waiting 1-2 weeks before feeding goes. Even though your new snake "might" eat right away. Giving the snake time to adjust makes it easier to identify possible problems should you find your snake reusing meals. Each snake comes with its own personality and quirks. Taking steps to help eliminate the whole "could my snake be stressed" factor will make the process of introducing your snake to its new home that much easier and enjoyable.

no I'm not there for a big part of the day but he's in my room so, when I'm there and he's awake (never seen him during day).
I did hold him even though he hadn't eaten before.
But he seems well, he sleeps all day and at night he comes out and he explores, trying to find a way out. When I took him out (not going to do it again until he eats) he explored and he was really calm, stressed at first but after like 3 min he started working his way around me.
Would waiting like 3-4 days (without disturbing him) and then feeding him a live mouse or rat be a good idea?

I would wait a week. Keep it on the same day. Prescent well, make it dark, and offer him the ft rat. Make sure it is warm.

If he doesnt eat it, leave it there for him and leave the room, pitch black for 1/2 an hour to an hour.

When you come back, try reheating it one more time and offering it. Many times my picky ones will eat it this way. having the rat in there gets them all worked up, and the heat signature usually works to get them to strike.

If not, leave it in over night. Try again after a week, same exact way. if he doesnt eat again, you will most likely need to try live.