What happen with my BP??

[Stephen Iking]

today should be the day i should fed my bp....
i put small mouse in the tank n it just strike the mouse 3 times.....
it just strike but it dont eat the mouse.....
like it punch using it head.....
why this thing happen???...........
stress or still not hungry???.......
is it normal???......

[stratus_020202]

I really think you should put a heat source on his tank. Do you keep him outside? Or, is your house 90 degrees? Is there anyway to cool your house? Mine only go over to their hot side when they are digesting. Most of the time, they prefer the cool end of the enclosure. If he is able to thermoregulate it might help him to eat.

However, one missed meal isn't going to hurt him. Maybe the mouse was too big? Try a different size, smaller. But, give him 5 to 7 days to settle back down before you try again.

[Stephen Iking]

the mouse is just a small mouse....
not too big....
i try to find any heat pet in the pet store....
the temp is still between 80-90.....
i think i will have a cool down period for 3 or 4 days before i try to fed it again.....
thank....

[BuckeyeBalls]

Your keeping a ball python in a tank with no heat? Just whatever your house temp is?

If thats the case please dont feed him. Will be digestion from hell if he cant get any heat to help digest it. Should of had some form of heat before you got him

[stratus_020202]

Try and see if your local hardware store has a clamp lamp. Like this: http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEEQ8gIwAQ#

It would be better than nothing. I would get a thermometer to monitor his temps, and maybe a fan. If his cool side gets above 85 you can put the fan to cool it of. Not directly into the cage. And make sure his hot side doesn't go above 95.

BPs are really sensitive when it comes to tempurature. They like to have it just right. Does he spend a lot of time in his hide? Or, does it look like he's doing a lot of wandering?

[Stephen Iking]

almost of the time he in the hide.....
i have 2 hide....
in the day,he often to hide in the right hide....
n night,he often hide in the left hide.....
i look at temperature,both temp is the same.....
i think it have diff temp.....
just maybe......
i will buy heat source a.s.a.p.....

[Raf702]

How long have you had your BP? And how is your Husbandry? Reason I ask, I just recently got my Pastel BP, and got him acclimated to his new habitat. And at the same time it was his feeding day, which I delayed it for a week. So that he could adjust to his surrounding. Yesterday was his feeding day, which I was a bit nervous. I noticed since I've had my BP, he's like to stay in his hide. I couldn't get him out of his hide to feed. So I just took out the hide with him in it, and placed it in a small shoe box.

Then I placed the rat pup in the container and a few seconds later he struck but didn't constrict. That concerned me, then I waited about 30 seconds and noticed him preparing for another strike, but nothing happened. But as soon as I closed the shoe box letting it become dark. 5 seconds later I heard a few squeals, and I slowly opened the box, and he began constricting. Mind you, the hide he uses is a DIY hide I made out of my plastic exercise supplement container.

So in a way, I utilized a part of his habitat to help keep him comfortable or stress-free. Which worked out perfectly, and minutes later, he was already swallowing his meal. Maybe you should try something similar. Put him in a small shoebox/container place his hide in it as well. I'm sure he'll go to it for a few minutes, then placed the mice or rat. And close the container or leave it slightly open. And that may entice him to strike. By no means what I'm saying is the only way or the best way. But it worked out great for me, so hopefully it might work for you. Good luck!

[Stephen Iking]

thank for the tips Raf702.......
but i still order heat pad from a pet store bcoz someone said snake need heat the digest the food....

i dont know if ur bp do the same as my bp.....
when i put the mouse,he hide his head in the center of body n start to make ball....
do ur snake do the same before eat the mouse???.......

[dr del]

Hi,

No, that is a stress reaction.

I know it is usually quite hot where you are so what would you say the ambient temps are both day and night?

You have left him alone with no handling and things to settle in?

Are you trying to feed in his tank or another enclosure?


dr del

[Stephen Iking]

the temp is between 80-90.....
sometime 70-80 in the night(if raining outside).......
yup,i dont handle it for a few day,but i do remove him one time because i want to clean it poo.....
i fed it in the same tank because i dont want to handle it to much......