Inputs needed: Tub Set-up, BP won;t eat

[frost0214]

Hi Folks, need your help here. I am relatively new to snake keeping and i was wondering of you guys can help me. i have 4 normal ball pythons and 2 OF THEM WONT EAT. they are on their 4th week of not eating now.
BP1 - female 250 grams
BP2 - female 1.1Kg (not eating)
BP3 - female 1KG (not eating)
BP4 - female 800g
feeding: P/K rats about 100-150g (there is no F/T for sale here in Philippines)

i thinking there might be something wrong with my husbandry.
temps: 91 hot and 84 cold.
hide: yes
water: yes
substrate: printed newspaper
here are some pics of my set-up. Help me please. i am already considering assist feeding but i really hope not.





Pic of my hatchling tub


pic of my big tub

[Vypyrz]

-I would try offering smaller rats 60g-80g. I used to have a 2400g BP that wouldn't eat if the rats were any larger than about 90g-100g.
-I would also think about putting the heat pads under the tubs. I don't know how well they heat when used on the side.
-It is also the beginning of breeding season. So make sure you keep a watch on their weight.

[frost0214]

-I would try offering smaller rats 60g-80g. I used to have a 2400g BP that wouldn't eat if the rats were any larger than about 90g-100g.
-I would also think about putting the heat pads under the tubs. I don't know how well they heat when used on the side.
-It is also the beginning of breeding season. So make sure you keep a watch on their weight.

- thanks i will try to feed smaller rats...
- the heat pads really heat up.. sometimes up to 95-97F that is the reason i put them in the side to minimize the heat. i do not have a thermostat currently. just manually controlling them.
- hmmm... do they normally go off feed during breeding season. i really wanted to make the breeding this year. but it seems that they wont make it to 1.5KG coz of this off feed.

[tuffstuff07]

- thanks i will try to feed smaller rats...
- the heat pads really heat up.. sometimes up to 95-97F that is the reason i put them in the side to minimize the heat. i do not have a thermostat currently. just manually controlling them.
- hmmm... do they normally go off feed during breeding season. i really wanted to make the breeding this year. but it seems that they wont make it to 1.5KG coz of this off feed.

Some go off during breeding season and some eat.

If you have 30 bucks you can order a hydrofarm thermostat from amazon. Some will say spend the money on the better one but its better than nothing. I got a herpstat but they are a lot more.

[tuffstuff07]

heres the hydro farm

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

[bivman]

Hi Folks, need your help here. I am relatively new to snake keeping and i was wondering of you guys can help me. i have 4 normal ball pythons and 2 OF THEM WONT EAT. they are on their 4th week of not eating now.
BP1 - female 250 grams
BP2 - female 1.1Kg (not eating)
BP3 - female 1KG (not eating)
BP4 - female 800g
feeding: P/K rats about 100-150g (there is no F/T for sale here in Philippines)

i thinking there might be something wrong with my husbandry.
temps: 91 hot and 84 cold.
hide: yes
water: yes
substrate: printed newspaper
here are some pics of my set-up. Help me please. i am already considering assist feeding but i really hope not.





Pic of my hatchling tub


pic of my big tub

Don't try an assist feed, you are no where near that. I had my female eat once in 4 months last year. Just keep a watch on the weight loss, and keep your husbandry correct. They will eat again, when they are ready.

[EverEvolvingExotics]

I would recommend building a rack, the added security of sides and back really seem to make them feel secure. They spend the majority of their lives in dark small burrows. The clear tubs and bright lights might be what's stressing them out. I wouldn't worry too much at this point. As said above keep an eye on their weight and keep trying.

Good luck, non feeders can be frustrating.

[frost0214]

I would recommend building a rack, the added security of sides and back really seem to make them feel secure. They spend the majority of their lives in dark small burrows. The clear tubs and bright lights might be what's stressing them out. I wouldn't worry too much at this point. As said above keep an eye on their weight and keep trying.

Good luck, non feeders can be frustrating.

Thanks for this eel! what are your thoughts about spray painting the tubs in black,. I have acrylic spray paint. I am planning to paint the outside.. thought?

[frost0214]

Don't try an assist feed, you are no where near that. I had my female eat once in 4 months last year. Just keep a watch on the weight loss, and keep your husbandry correct. They will eat again, when they are ready.

Thnks Bivman! im sorry i have a lot of questions but what is weight loss that i should be worried of... hmm... like a 10% drop in 2 weeks or a month?

[frost0214]

Just an update! they finally ate this saturday!!! i offered a relatively smaller rats (live) and they ate it like there is no tommorow. i will try again this wednesday... thanks