Som snake are not eating

hi. some of my snakes are not eating. im worried about the small spider. ive pre-scented,ive switched her to a smaller tub. and tom ill try to feed her some fuzzy mice instead of a rat pup. should i offer her food everynight, or every other night or just once a week? how long should she go off feed before i start worrying and start entertaining the thought of assist feeding?

thank you very much.

raymond

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Originally Posted by munding

hi. some of my snakes are not eating. im worried about the small spider. ive pre-scented,ive switched her to a smaller tub. and tom ill try to feed her some fuzzy mice instead of a rat pup. should i offer her food everynight, or every other night or just once a week? how long should she go off feed before i start worrying and start entertaining the thought of assist feeding?

thank you very much.

raymond

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Try once a week, anymore than that just adds stress. Assist feeding is the LAST resort and you should not even be considering that unless the snake(s) in question lose a significant amount of weight. Other than that, downsizing the tub, pre-scenting and trying fuzzies all sound like the right way to go.

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Originally Posted by missi182

Try once a week, anymore than that just adds stress. Assist feeding is the LAST resort and you should not even be considering that unless the snake(s) in question lose a significant amount of weight. Other than that, downsizing the tub, pre-scenting and trying fuzzies all sound like the right way to go.

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thanks missi182! i will offer her a fuzzy next sat. thanks.:):oops:

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Originally Posted by munding

thanks missi182! i will offer her a fuzzy next sat. thanks.:):oops:

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No problem:) Im good at worrying right away too;)

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Originally Posted by missi182

No problem:) Im good at worrying right away too;)

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umm..how long should she go off feed before i start worrying?:confused:

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Originally Posted by munding

umm..how long should she go off feed before i start worrying?:confused:

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Some bp's can go off for several months, and of course you will "worry" the whole time, but as long as you do not think there are any medical issues that need to be addressed by a vet, and if your husbandry is correct, and you offer prey once a week, they will eat eventually. If you feed f/t try a live hopper, if you feed live, then just keep offering once a week.

Hi,

It's worth mentioning it really helps with deciding how much you need to panic if you have a nice, detailed, record of her weight and condition. :)


dr del

only 2 of my 4 balls are eating right now. one just took his first meal in 136 days. and another just hit 200 days. yes i was worried but i know they'll eat when they wanna eat. like Dr. Del said i keep a close eye on thier weight. my male who's been off feed for 200 day only lost about 100 grams. i think something to take into consideration before anyone panics about an off feed ball is there size and feeding habits before they went off feed. mine are all big enuff to go a long time without too much worry.

I agree with both of you, but I guess I assumed (bad thing to do, I slapped myself on the wrist) that the bp's had just recently gone off feed. How long they have been off feed and their current size also play an important role in determining when to consider more drastic measures, and how long they can keep a decent weight on without eating.

Try the mouse hopper in the tub over night. Once a week during the week don't bother him at all. Make sure you take the water out over night. I lost a few mice that way. It worked great for me. I only had one 07 male that took a few months to start. Even him after a while he did start eating just fine now he doesnt miss a meal and have changed him to rats.

is there ever an actual reason for a BP to go off feeding? its never happened to me but i just wanted to know if theres any specific reason for one to go off feed so i can prevent it from happening

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Originally Posted by 51-50 Python

is there ever an actual reason for a BP to go off feeding? its never happened to me but i just wanted to know if theres any specific reason for one to go off feed so i can prevent it from happening

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They can go off feed because they have been overfed and need a break to use up the fat stores.

They go off feed when they are ready to breed

They go off feed when they are sick

They go off feed when they are uncomfortable with the husbandry (very common)

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Originally Posted by 51-50 Python

is there ever an actual reason for a BP to go off feeding? its never happened to me but i just wanted to know if theres any specific reason for one to go off feed so i can prevent it from happening

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Good question! From our caresheet here:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

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WHY WON'T MY SNAKE EAT?
In almost all cases, a ball python refuses to eat due to husbandry issues. Especially a young one. If your snake misses more than one meal (sometimes they won't want to eat while in shed) please check the following possible causes:

Lack of Security -- No hides, or hides that are too large or exposed (ie: half logs). They prefer dark, tight hides they barely fit into. Also, if the enclosure is too large, or too open (glass) or in a high traffic area with a lot of loud noise or movement. Another snake in the same enclosure can also cause serious security issues.

Over Handling -- Frequent intrusions into the enclosure, changes to the enclosure, and/or long frequent handling sessions can cause a shy snake to feel vulnerable and refuse to eat.

Improper Temps -- Temps that are too high or too low, or temps that fluctuate too much. Make sure you have an accurate and consistent read on your temps.

Improper Lighting -- Bright white lights shining directly into the enclosure, or 24 hour lighting can cause stress. Make sure there is some sort of day/night cycle.

Offering New Prey -- Changing prey species (ie: mice to rats) or methods (ie: live to f/t) can cause refusal. Such changes can be made, but may require patience and persistence.

Improper Offering of Prey -- Offering prey too frequently can do more harm than good. If a snake refuses, do not attempt to feed again for a week. Also, changing environments by moving to a feeding-box or removing hides and "furniture" can cause refusal in these shy snakes.

Prey Too Large -- Too large an item may intimidate a snake and cause refusal, or even a regurgitation if it is eaten. Also, if a ball python has eaten large meals in the past, it can cause a sudden an indefinite period of fasting.

Mites -- An external parasite common to snakes that must be treated and eradicated. A product called Provent-a-Mite (P.A.M.) is the safest and most effective method.

Seasonal -- Sexually mature ball pythons may fast for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months during their mating season (typically anywhere from late fall to early spring) especially if a sexually mature snake of the opposite sex is in close proximity.

Illness -- If all other possible reasons are eliminated, a vet check may be in order to look for internal parasites, as well as possible infections to the skin, scales, mouth or respiratory system.

Fortunately, ball pythons are extremely hardy snakes that can go for months (if necessary) of fasting without suffering any ill effects. This gives a responsible keeper plenty of time to figure out why the snake refuses to eat and get them on a regular, consistent feeding regimen.

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THANKS GUYS!! all of them are eating now. the het pieds even took 2 rat pups! i just put them in a smaller container and let them get settled in. thanks for all the help!! thank you.:):):)

raymond

i put all of them in 32qt containers. some of them are only 100+ grams. so the smaller tubs really help. i just cant figure out why 1 of the normals keeps on attacking me?:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

she's already tagged me 5 times and never fails to strike when i open the tub.

My one male who has been off feed for 201 days just took a mouse. Although he hasn't lost much weight i couldn't help but worry about him.

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Originally Posted by munding

i put all of them in 32qt containers. some of them are only 100+ grams. so the smaller tubs really help. i just cant figure out why 1 of the normals keeps on attacking me?:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

she's already tagged me 5 times and never fails to strike when i open the tub.

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She's clearly stressed out. How small is her enclosure? Are you allowing her to settle in disturbing her a little as possible? How small and snug are her hides? Some are just more fearful than others, and she sounds like she only views you as a huge heat emitting predator. You can try to fill her enclosure with loosely crumpled newspaper to try to settle her, then slowly wean her off the paper, removing a piece or two every few days to once a week if she's in a particularly small enclosure. You can drop a live hopper mouse in with her and the paper on feeding day and just walk away and check back in 1/2 an hour and remove it if she doesn't eat.