Ball Python never flicks his tongue?

[Stinky2913]

I was told by another person he could be hibernating (I know it's called something different) but he's still pretty active at night. During the day he just hangs out under his tree. When I threw food in his cage Friday he didn't flick his tongue. I've had him since the third of February and have never seen his tongue. He's a good eater, but I'm worried about that. He doesn't even do it when he's feeding. He took down two mice Friday night, but when we put them in there he looked like he was having a seizure. He did the same thing last Friday as well. Ideas? Insights?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Ball pythons do not hibernate like some other types of snakes do (Colubrids)

What type of ball python do you have?

The Spider morph has a genetic issue that makes it "wobble"

It sounds like you have a sick snake on your hands.

[Stinky2913]

He's just a normal. This is my first snake so i've never done anything like this before. I haven't been able to sleep tonight so I got up and he hasn't moved all day. Maybe came out a little (we don't keep a hide for him, instead it's like a branch that provides cover) under his branch but that's it. He's usually most active at night, and he hasn't been coming out. I don't know if any of this information with help, but....Temp is 83.8 (It never gets much hotter than that. Maybe because we only have 60w bulbs?) I just sprayed the bedding down to raise the humidity and it's 53%. I started spraying it down and must've scared him because he was moving around quickly. More info? We had problems with them shipping him, and he never got home to us until Friday, (the 3rd), but he was not only stressed i'm sure from Fedex tossing him around, but he was also pretty into shed. He ate fine the next Friday, but my friend mentioned that he was pointy (along his back) and not more circular like he should be. Insights? Also he pooped on the 9th I believe since we were going to feed him the next day and hasn't since? He doesn't seem to have problems though from what hubby and I see.

[RichsBallPythons]

Just make sure tongue isnt stuck in the mouth.

And on the hibernating its called brumate. And when snakes are brumating their still active just not as much, they dont go to sleep like bears for months then wake up.

[rivunel]

He's just a normal. This is my first snake so i've never done anything like this before. I haven't been able to sleep tonight so I got up and he hasn't moved all day. Maybe came out a little (we don't keep a hide for him, instead it's like a branch that provides cover) under his branch but that's it. He's usually most active at night, and he hasn't been coming out. I don't know if any of this information with help, but....Temp is 83.8You should raise the temperature a little on one side you want the temperature on one side to be in the mid 90's and on the other side the temperature should be in the low 80's. and undertank heater will be able to bring the heat up to the right temperature (It never gets much hotter than that. Maybe because we only have 60w bulbs?) I just sprayed the bedding down to raise the humidity and it's 53%.Avoid Spraying the bedding itself spray the walls of the cage (aquarium) spraying the bedding,if it's dirty, can cause scale rot so it's easier just to avoid getting the bottom wet I started spraying it down and must've scared him because he was moving around quickly. More info? We had problems with them shipping him, and he never got home to us until Friday, (the 3rd), but he was not only stressed i'm sure from Fedex tossing him around, but he was also pretty into shed. He ate fine the next Friday, but my friend mentioned that he was pointy (along his back) and not more circular like he should be.I've heard they can be a little pointier on their back when they are underfed Insights? Also he pooped on the 9th I believe since we were going to feed him the next day and hasn't since? He doesn't seem to have problems though from what hubby and I see.

there are countless reasons why it may not have eaten the tank not being hot enough is a big one but after you get the tank to the right temperature the snake should eat fine. and don't worry about this too much this kind of things happen with new owners

[Stinky2913]

Did I put that he didn't eat? Sorry, He has eaten for me both times we have fed him. We got him the 3rd and both Fridays since he's eaten great. He just looks like he's having a seizure when he we put them in and theres no tongue flicking like other snakes.

[The-Jame]

Where did you get him from?

Have you contacted a local vet that deals with exotic species?

Has he ever physically struck, bitten and coiled around the mice or have you just put the mice in there and came back to find he's eaten it?

Also I had problems with my Jungle carpet pythons temperature not too long back as we had a particularly cold winter, but he was nowhere near as active, he moved and still flicked his tongue and did regular things but if their temperature isn't right then they will probably seem subdued due to not having the right heat to warm their blood up and give them the energy they need as this is where a lot of their energy is drawn from (the heat).

And it sounds as if you were worrying about him having not 'pooped' but generally my two boys only poop once every couple of weeks (when they have to).
Hope this helps.

[Mike41793]

Would it be possible for you to take a video of his next feeding? Im interested to see the "seizure" you described. Id like to see if its anything similar to the spider wobble.

[heathers*bps]

I agree with Mike. I'd like to see what you are describing as well.
What size is your snake? What size tank are you using? I would suggest getting a hide ( best if you have two, one on the hot side, one on the cold side ) as ball pythons like to feel secure, and hiding is what they do to feel that way. A tight fitting hide is best, as well.

You mentioned you had problems with shipping. What exactly were the problems?

[robinbanks]

how is it on drinking its water?