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  1. #1
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    Unhappy I'm about to give up.

    This ball python I bought is really underweight (its like 75g-80g, I can see extra skin folds, and she syncs with her tail almost perfect I know they're suppose to be much thicker)and it' NOT EATING. It only ate twice out of the two months its been here. I'm honestly starting to lose my mind. All the temperatures are good as well. At this point I feel like it's trying to starve itself. Any ideas? Should I be worried? Ahhhhhhhh
    Last edited by Stewart_Reptiles; 02-19-2020 at 10:35 AM. Reason: TOS

  2. #2
    BPnet Senior Member CALM Pythons's Avatar
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    Re: I'm about to give up.

    Need more info. Do you know anything about it like the age? Aprox how long is it at 75 grams? What kind of enclosure do you have? Is it quiet where you keep it? Any Pics so we can see its overall condition?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Name: Christian
    0.1 Albino Ball (Sophie)
    0.1 Russo White Diamond (Grace)
    1.0 Hypo Burmese (Giacomo/AKA Jock)
    1.2 Razors Edge/Gotti & American Pit Bull
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    1.0 Albino Ball (Sully)

  3. #3
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    Re: I'm about to give up.

    Have you tried offering her something different to eat? Like if you're giving her live, then f/t? It could be that she doesn't like what's being offered to her. Or It could be that she's just fasting. Many BP's tend to go into a fasting period during the winter months.

    If that isn't working then it may be that she isn't feeling well. Have you taken her to see a vet yet?



    Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    Do this to a T https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

    And if you can't or don't want to, surrender the animal to someone with experience when it comes to young BP

    If an animal is that frustrating think that you will experience the same frustration for the next 30 years, maybe not something you are ready for.
    Deborah Stewart


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    Re: I'm about to give up.

    Hey, it's a little under six months. Approx. 20-25 in. I have it in a 10 gallon tank. I covered 3 sides of the tank to try and make it feel more secure with two hides and couple fake vines hanging around. I put in the dining room because I'm usually in my room and there is little to no traffic there so it is fairly quiet.

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  8. #6
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    Re: I'm about to give up.

    If the snake has eaten twice in 2 months then it's not starving itself. I've never seen a healthy snake starve itself to death even though I've had a few stubborn eaters. Do you have a picture of your setup? What are your temps like and are they being regulated by a thermostat? Some snakes take a little longer to acclimate to new surroundings and BPs are notorious for taking long, unexplained food breaks. I had one BP that went 8 months, and another that went a full year, without eating and they were both fine. Try to stay patient and focused on solutions. They all eat eventually. You can try feeding live, braining, scenting, or a different prey type. I don't think that's necessary just yet though. If temps are dialed in accurately then just keep offering food every 2 weeks until he starts to eat. The hunger always wins in the end.
    3.0 Carpet Pythons, 1.1 Bullsnakes
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  10. #7
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    In order to help you we need more info....

    What are your temps?
    How are you heating the enclosure?
    How are you measuring temps?

    Are you handling the snake at all?

    What size prey are you offering?
    How often are you offering??

    Answering these questions will help us help you and your snake.

  11. #8
    BPnet Senior Member CALM Pythons's Avatar
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    Re: I'm about to give up.

    Quote Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy View Post
    If the snake has eaten twice in 2 months then it's not starving itself. I've never seen a healthy snake starve itself to death even though I've had a few stubborn eaters. Do you have a picture of your setup? What are your temps like and are they being regulated by a thermostat? Some snakes take a little longer to acclimate to new surroundings and BPs are notorious for taking long, unexplained food breaks. I had one BP that went 8 months, and another that went a full year, without eating and they were both fine. Try to stay patient and focused on solutions. They all eat eventually. You can try feeding live, braining, scenting, or a different prey type. I don't think that's necessary just yet though. If temps are dialed in accurately then just keep offering food every 2 weeks until he starts to eat. The hunger always wins in the end.
    This. Above.
    Also at 24” or so 75-80 grams is not terrible. Give him sometime and do not try to feed every week. Try every 2 weeks. Refusing can become habit forming and stressful of they do not want to eat.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Name: Christian
    0.1 Albino Ball (Sophie)
    0.1 Russo White Diamond (Grace)
    1.0 Hypo Burmese (Giacomo/AKA Jock)
    1.2 Razors Edge/Gotti & American Pit Bull
    ----------
    1.1 Albino/Normal Burmese (Mr & Mrs Snake)
    1.0 Albino Ball (Sully)

  12. #9
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    Re: I'm about to give up.

    Quote Originally Posted by CALM Pythons View Post
    This. Above.
    Also at 24” or so 75-80 grams is not terrible. Give him sometime and do not try to feed every week. Try every 2 weeks. Refusing can become habit forming and stressful of they do not want to eat.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    At a little under 6 months it is actually terrible (basically hatch weight) that needs to be addressed fast before the animal reached the point of no return but husbandry changes must be done. Especially considering the physical description along with the weight

    At that size and age the animal should be voracious if it's not it means the current husbandry is not working (among other thing)
    Deborah Stewart


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  14. #10
    BPnet Senior Member CALM Pythons's Avatar
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    Re: I'm about to give up.

    Quote Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles View Post
    At a little under 6 months it is actually terrible (basically hatch weight) that needs to be addressed fast before the animal reached the point of no return but husbandry changes must be done. Especially considering the physical description along with the weight

    At that size and age the animal should be voracious if it's not it means the current husbandry is not working (among other thing)
    Well you have a lot more hatchling experience Deb, Ive only owned about 8 total Constrictors within 32/33 years of keeping and a couple I got as sub adults.
    The 2 Balls I have now were around 59-70 grams if I can remember correctly and I got them around 3 - 6 months old. Even though they were from reputable breeders I believe the 6 month old was maintenance fed.
    Most take to eating right off the bat without trouble so something is going on with this lil guy.
    I haven’t seen the 10 gallon setup that is being used and do not know if heats regulated or what ambient is. If that was mentioned in another thread I missed it. Also wondering if there are hides provided. All my Balls eat with just their heads sticking out of a hide to this day at 2500 grams and years old.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Name: Christian
    0.1 Albino Ball (Sophie)
    0.1 Russo White Diamond (Grace)
    1.0 Hypo Burmese (Giacomo/AKA Jock)
    1.2 Razors Edge/Gotti & American Pit Bull
    ----------
    1.1 Albino/Normal Burmese (Mr & Mrs Snake)
    1.0 Albino Ball (Sully)

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