My Ball Python Won't Flick Her Tongue!

[egosnell2002]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and I have a few worries about my Ball Python, I got her at about 3 weeks old from a Big Al's and I brought her home and she settled in nicely, but wouldn't flick her tongue. I tried feeding her a week after getting her and she wouldn't eat, I've had her for almost a month, she still hasn't eaten, and hasn't flicked her tongue. She's in a 40 gallon, with 2 hides, driftwood, and 4 plants. The humidity is 60-70% and the temperature on the warm side is about 89 Fahrenheit, and the cool side is around 84 Fahrenheit. She only comes out at night very often and drinks lots of water. I have tried splitting the mouse skull, and multiple other strategies. She has started to show signs of starvation What do I do? Please help me out I'm really worried! Thanks,

Ethan

[George1994]

Flicking of the tongue doesn't indicate anything really. Mine rarely does it unless there is food infront of their face. What are the signs of starvation, when I first got mine he went 5 months with no food.

[bcr229]

The humidity is 60-70% and the temperature on the warm side is about 89 Fahrenheit, and the cool side is around 84 Fahrenheit.

Cool side should be lower, 78-80*F is good. How are you measuring temps and how are you heating the tank?

[egosnell2002]

She doesn't flick her tongue even if its right in front of her face, the symptoms are; visible spine, folds in skin, reduced activity, not drinking as much water, looks kind of... sandpapery?

[M.P.C]

going into shed?

[WHerpsunlimited]

Mine is doing the same. Doesn't feel like sandpaper but raised spine, loose skin. It hasn't eaten in like a month and it is very small. The albino i have about the same age but is filled out and more active. Im trying not to mess with either and will try to feed them again on Sunday. I'm trying not to worry cause I've read so much about them being picky. Hopefully they eat next week so i can start handling them.

[egosnell2002]

I am using zilla digital thermometers, one on each side, and an all living things ceramic heat emitter.

[Skeletor]

Mine eats like a slob and looks small and thin. He's just a small BP. As for not eating for a while, some go for months without eating. Try putting a slate or a flat stone under the ceramic heat. Something that will hold like 88 degrees F. My BP seeks out the slate for about 2 days after he eats. He will lay on it only after he eats. I have a slate under my RHP on the floor. It stays at a constant 88. It holds that heat well.