A new Ball Python, but why feeding problems?

[steveboos]

I have adopted a 3 year old ball python from a good family that was having a new baby, so need for a 3 foot snake in the house. They always fed her frozen and she never had a problem. When i went to pick her up, she had not ate in a week and a half. So i took her and her huge 55 gallon home with 2 packs of frozen small rats she provided.

Her tank consisted of a XX-Large Repti water bowl which was good for about a 250 gram ball python, not one of 1000 plus, and a shoebox with holes cut in it that her own growing body had to widen so she could fit in. They also had 1 75 watt bulb for her day time and a 75 watt night time bulb for night time. They never paid attention to humidity or temperature, the only thermometer was a fish tank aquarium thermometer on the bottom right side. The tank was filled with a bad shed and pieces everywhere.

Well i threw away all the old stuff and filled it with clean repti bark and took her home to feed her since she was so hungry. She ate fine, no problems and i said i would feed her in a week and a half. I tried to feed her a week and a half later, she wanted nothing to do with it. I want to note that i changed A LOT of stuff in her tank. I gave her a large rubbermaid tub to sit in, a new plastic hide perfect for her size, put a new piece of driftwood to climb, new plants, moss for humidity, etc. I also got a undertank heat pad with rheostat to control temps. Got the temperature down perfect, 91 in the hot spot during the day, 84 in the hide on the heatpad side. Then with night time bulb got it to around 78 to 81 on one side and 85 on the other. I mist the tank constantly cause its a HUGE 55 gallon tank and i still have trouble keeping it above 40%.

Sorry to be so long winded, but i know people would just ask me these questions anyhow, so i figured i'd lay them out. I have tried to feed her 2 times and failed and its been about 2 and a half weeks. I believe she just might be stressed out cause i changed so much about her tank that she was used to for 3 years+, but i don't know what to do. I also consider its breeding season, but i doubt that has anything to do with it.

Should i try again in her tank to see if she wants to eat, or should i try and feed her live, but then never be able to get her back on frozen. I'm confused and just want the best for her. Also i am going to buy a rack system so i don't have to worry about humidity or temperature ever again.

[Elise.m]

Is she in a high traffic area? Have you been taking her out and holding her?

[steveboos]

No she is quite secluded, but i do admit holding her too much, taking her to petsmart twice for a checkup. I just figured since i kept the shoebox she liked in there for about a week after i got her, then i changed it over. Now both hides are different cause the shoebox got wrinkled and nasty and she wont got in either of them.

[Kaorte]

Well first off, just leave her completely alone until she starts eating consistently.

Also, get two identical hides.

There is no need to feed the snake outside of its enclosure. Just feed her in the home enclosure.

2 weeks is not a long time for a full grown BP. I wouldn't worry too much about it . Sounds like you are on the right track.

[steveboos]

When should i try feeding her again? I tried about 4 days ago and she didn't want to eat. The previous owners said she would come out of her hide when you enter the room if shes hungry, but her original shoebox hide is all wrinkled and not in the cage anymore, and she is always out of the hides now. If she doesn't eat the last frozen small rat i have, i might just have to try live. I haven't held her in about 4 or 5 days though.

[Kaorte]

What kind of hides does she have now? Sounds like she is stressed out a bit.

I would wait at least a week before trying to feed her again. She is an older snake, it could take her some time to get used to being in a new home. Don't give up so soon. If she was eating F/T before she probably will again.

[steveboos]

I changed the shoebox with a bunch of holes in it to a large thick van ness dog crock that fits her perfect with a semi circle cut in it on the side.