trouble feeding live

I currently am trying to get my bp on a 5 day schedule but she is not a good eater. Is there a good way to feed live? I have tried in her tank day and night but nothin I tried feeding her in a seperate tub and nothin she doesn't seem interested at all. Any good tips on what will help intice her on the live food?

Try a smaller than usual prey item?

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Try a smaller than usual prey item?

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Ya tried

What is your setup like? A picture with a brief explanation would be great.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

What is your setup like? A picture with a brief explanation would be great.

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ditto its possible she doesnt like her setup

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Originally Posted by nixer

ditto its possible she doesnt like her setup

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she ate 2 times before in it

Ok I jus tried again with a different mouse left in her cage for like 45 mins and the mouse feels so comfortable it fell asleep in her cage

Just because she ate in it before, doesn't mean that your set-up may not be off. Can you please describe the size of your enclosure, how you measure temps, what the temps are, etc? A picture would be even better.

Well right now she is in a temporary smaller inclosure it is a 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot zoo med terrarium with an uth. Warm side is 92 cool side is 85 I use a temp gun

How long should I keep the mouse in there for. How long should I wait to feed again?

As long as you don't leave the mouse in unattended you can leave it in for a quite some time.

Please, just post a picture of your setup.

Many people say don't leave live prey in there for more than 2 hours. Most people say to wait one week after a refusal before offering prey again.

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Originally Posted by brett1489

Well right now she is in a temporary smaller inclosure it is a 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot zoo med terrarium with an uth. Warm side is 92 cool side is 85 I use a temp gun

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how about humidity
and ill tell you myself just having the humidity off i have seen snakes not eat

I usually watch closely for 10-20 minutes depending, but some may feel thats too long, while the mouse runs around in my snakes enclosures. If they don't take it in that time period then I put the mice/rats away until the next scheduled feeding day (every 7 days).

You want to get your snake on a 5 day feeding schedule, offer the food to her on Monday and then if she doesn't take it, put it away until the next scheduled day.

I only leave prey in for 30 minutes, then I don't offer again for another 7 days.

Here's a good checklist for you - from our Caresheet:

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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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I had my little guy go off feed shortly after I got him home, after going everything, I came to the conclusion his tub was too big duh :oops:. so I moved to to this little tub. and he hasn't missed a meal

He's in the one at the top.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...inishrack3.jpg

Ya she isn't in a huge enclosure. I just think that she is hungry cuz at night she moves around like crazy.

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Originally Posted by brett1489

Ya she isn't in a huge enclosure. I just think that she is hungry cuz at night she moves around like crazy.

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over activity is a sign of stress.
Is the enclosure in a high traffic area? Are you offering two dark, tight fitting hides?

shes only movin around at night. and it started a day after when she was supposed to be fed

have you tried dangling the prey about 6 inches infront of her face? seems to work for me. i never just let the prey run around in the enclosure.

but the other members of the forum are right, unless your husbandry is right on the money, that could be a prob too .

has she always eaten live food? for my snakes that don't readily accept live i leave a freshly killed prey item right at the entrance to the hide box and turn all the lights off for the night. by the next morning more often than not it has been eaten. i find some snakes like it better that way than having a wild, dangling mouse/rat in their face. and while freshly killed it still has good enough temperature to entice them but it's not intimidating to them because it is motionless. and eventually they learn that they do not have to constrict it, they just start swallowing.

Hmm.. I'm not sure if it works as well with live prey, but did you try pre-scenting? Put the prey in a container with some kind of poked holes. Small card-board box, maybe a paper bag, or a plastic baggie. Again, have holes in the container so your snake can smell it easier and so the prey can breath. Put the container on top of the tank for 30 minutes. It may help your snake get into hunt mode.