Stewie Not Eating

[Cloud7659]

Hi everyone.

I just wanted to post here to let everyone know that after getting my ball set up in its tank, I dropped in a small rat pup and although he seemed a little interested at first, Stewie just hid and hasn't come out since. He had his first shed as well today, it was all in one piece. His last feed date was 4/6 at the Breeder Shop. When is it worry time?

[jglass38]

How long did you give him after putting him in his new environment before trying to feed? He has been through some stress and needs time to adjust. Give him a week and completely leave him alone except for routine maintenance of his enclosure. He will relax and will eat for you. 2 weeks off feed is not a big deal. Additionally, some snakes will eat during shed and some won't. Shedding is not the most comfortable time for them.

[Cloud7659]

Is it normal for my snake's shed to last about 5 minutes only? He was quite quick with his shed.

Also, should I leave the rat pup in there for him to maybe feed on later? He's not moving much and still has closed eyes.

[daniel1983]

Never leave a live food item unattended in a snake's enclosure. Even rat pups can nibble

Here is a little thing I typed up about ball pythons shedding:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=28794

[Cloud7659]

Ah, so i guess I must have caught the snake in the final process of shed. Its very cool though, I bought it when it was in the dark stage and now its much lighter colored. I am worried about the feed though

When I picked out stewie he was the most active of all the BP's there but he was the only one who hadn't feed for over 2 weeks. I was a little skeptical about this but the guy told me it was no big deal. Should I take him back? He seems like he has no interest whatsoever in the rat pup.

[daniel1983]

Personally, I would not buy or sell a snake that was not feeding.

But....you have only had the snake for a very short amount of time. Provide the proper environment and limit other stress.....and your snake should eat.

How old is the bp and how are you feeding it?

[Cloud7659]

Good news guys.

Today i took back the rat pup and brought him a mouse. Just as big as the pup but much more active and it took stewie about 10 seconds to turn into hunt mode then after a single strike it was over. He wrapped the mouse around and slowly but steadily gobbled him down.

Not only am I ecstatic and relieved that he ate, I am also in awe, i had never seen a ball python feed before. I saw my brother's cornsnake eat a pinkie, butit wasnowhere near as exciting as this.

Thanks for all your help guys. BTW, I have stewie in a 20 gallon long, he is over a foot long. I have the humidity up to about 69-75% with an unltrasonic humidifier. Im using an UTH and a uvb heat lamp the raises the basking temp to about 92-96. The air temp in the room iself is 70, 79-85 range in the enclosure.