Getting a little worried???

Hi everyone. Sarting to get a little nervous.

Ok so my BP ate like a freak for 6 straight feedings. Now, just like turning out a light she's refusing food. I've been trying every 5 days but its been almost 4 weeks now.
She's only about 4 mos. old and 24".
Too young for a winter/breeding fast. Right ? And she doesn't appear to be in shed.
Her activity has been fine and she's handled about every 4 days

My husbandry has been the same thoughout the good feeds and non feed situation.
My temps have been consistant at 90-92 on the warm and 80 in the cool. I run a 12hr day/night cycle. Measiring temps with an accurite and a raytek temp gun for backup. Traffic area i would say is moderate.

She's been on frozen/thawed, and i will switch to live if i have too.

*One note is that the last mouse she ate was bumped up from a medium to an adult mouse. Was just smaller than the girth of her body though and if you've ever seen the frozen mice their smaller than live.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I would stop handling her until she eats again.. just my first thought. Keep at it and good luck.

Try feeding every 7 days, make sure the room is really dark, prescent the room for a about half an hour to an hour before, try leaving it in overnight as well, make sure the mouse isn't cool to the touch. I'm not sure if you've thought of these options already. Also try a smaller feeding size.

I have to do a lot of that with my female now. She's probably just over a year old, to a year and a half.. Not sure when she was born.

goodluck!

My girl is a good eater, but the food has to HOT. I didn't think a few degrees would make such a big difference, but it really does her case.

Good luck!

What size cage/tank/tub is she in?

I don't think that long is enough to be worried about, expecially if she doesn't look like she is losing weight.

It might not be the same but I do know that when I bumped Stan up a food size he went off feed for a little while - when I went back down he started to eat again regularly. I figured its better for him to be eating a smaller meal than I'd like than no meal at all.

Best of luck!

Hi thanks to all the replies. I really appreciate it.
Her tank is a 15L . Tried again tonight and no luck. I think shes a little stressed in the feed box. I tried in the dark with a smaller feed box this time. And the chicken broth method.

It's interesting how she was fine with the feeding environment 6 straight times than all of a sudden she looks a little stressed in it.
I've actually been given the advice that she might have to be fed in her enclosure where shes most comfortable, from people that do the same. At least til she gets feeding again.
I've just always read that its not a good idea.

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Originally Posted by trott

Hi thanks to all the replies. I really appreciate it.
Her tank is a 15L . Tried again tonight and no luck. I think shes a little stressed in the feed box. I tried in the dark with a smaller feed box this time. And the chicken broth method.

It's interesting how she was fine with the feeding environment 6 straight times than all of a sudden she looks a little stressed in it.
I've actually been given the advice that she might have to be fed in her enclosure where shes most comfortable, from people that do the same. At least til she gets feeding again.
I've just always read that its not a good idea.

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It's actually a really good idea. You should try it, it will save you time, and it'll probably make your pet more comfortable.

What's the footprint of a 15 gallon tank?

Since she is so little, I might suggest putting her in a smaller space. Could you divide the tank in half?

Also, bumping the temps up a little, like to 94F seems to increase appetite by increasing metabolism.

Pre-scent for about an hour before offering prey and try feeding at night time, when they are more active.

Lastly, make sure she has two identical hides from which to choose.

The 15L is 24"x12" .(I know its an odd size but i got it from a friend who has been saving tanks for decades). Right now shes the length of her tank. I have a scraping log, 2 small hides, lg water bowl, and also a soaking hide.So there is only a little floor space. I also have fake foilage covering the hides.

I've been deealing with a hide situation in where she likes to curl up in the corner of the tank, warm side, under the fake foilage. I've tried everything from the small rock hides to making my on hides from various size bowls. The only hide i haven't tried is one of those little coconut hides. Just wasn't sure by looking at one that a 24 inch snake could fit in it. Although i know they like to be cramped. I also thought about removing the foilage so she only has the hide to go in.

If she was a little older i wouldn't be as concerned with the 1 month fast. Shes definetely curious and exploring when shes out and hasn't lost any weight.

Leave her alone and don't try to change her habits. If she favours the cover of the foliage then so be it.
Do not offer food more than once a week.
Forget about her apart from changing her water and try again in a week.
Learn patience, you own a ball python.
-Steven

Thanks. Yeah, i was going through this phase where when she wasn't using a hide after 3 of 4 days i figured it wasn't tight enough or a temp issue so i would change it. I've got quite a collection now.

It's funny because my friend, who i feel is not a good herp, has 2 BPs in one tank,about 8 mos old, one half log that they don't use. His temps are all off, the tank is in a hallway with alot of traffic. He only has a heat lamp and his are shedding eating and growing like crazy. He's feeding live though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trott

Thanks. Yeah, i was going through this phase where when she wasn't using a hide after 3 of 4 days i figured it wasn't tight enough or a temp issue so i would change it. I've got quite a collection now.

It's funny because my friend, who i feel is not a good herp, has 2 BPs in one tank,about 8 mos old, one half log that they don't use. His temps are all off, the tank is in a hallway with alot of traffic. He only has a heat lamp and his are shedding eating and growing like crazy. He's feeding live though.

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Maybe try to educate him from what you learn here so he doesn't or send him here! :)

my lil girl who sounds to be the same size just got off a 3 1/2 week feed strike .... how are u preparing the food ??.... try using tongs to take the mouse outta the freezer n once thawed out put it in a sandwhich bag and heat it up in a bowl of hot water from the tap for like 5mins and before extra carefull not to touch the mouse at all ... worked for me anyway

Welcome to the world of Ball Pythons and the headaches associated with them. BP's are great self regulators of food intake. Missing a few feedings is not a big deal. She'll eat when she wants to...just keep offering weekly and she get back on track soon....I had a boy go off food for 14 mos......he's back on for about a year now....

My guy hasn't eaten for 4 months now. He acts normally and isn't losing weight. They are all different! :D

The funny thing is the guy i know (bad herp) had his last bp live 26 years.

My feeding method with the f/t is using long thongs/forceps, in low light. I thaw the prey and run the baggie under hot water for about 20 sec. to get the temp up. It would only take a second or two.

I believe it is a little stress. She has a real timid personality. When she comes out at night ,if you go to look at her, she'll freeze and then head back to her hide/corner. I took the time while trying to feed her to move her tank to the least possible traffic area of the condo. It's only been 2 mo. since i've had her but it's hard to believe her stress level being higher now than the first mo of adjustment.

When you guys had your bp go into fast, how old were they ?

Again, I would put her into a smaller space as a small space is especially helpful for timid ball pythons. Have you tried, or thought about trying, a very small tub like a 6 qt??

Not yet but thats a good option.
I think tomorrow night i will place the f/t mouse on a dish in the warm end over night . Maybe i'll get lucky.