Ball Python Not Eating Post-Shed!

[tazzlewazzles]

I just recently got my 3rd ball, a pastel from Petco (I know.) He was doing wonderfully until he shed on the 23rd. I’ve had him since February 8th, and he didn’t eat until the 11th, which seemed normal enough. Then, he wouldn’t eat. I noticed he was in the process of shedding on the 17th, and he finished his shed the 23rd, all in one piece! Well, the problem is now this: he still won’t eat. I’ve tried all of the tricks I used with previous BPs, and nothing is working. I wouldn’t be concerned ordinarily, but he’s underweight as it is. Am I worrying too much?

[Caali]

We need to know a lot more.

How old is he?
How much does he weigh?
What are you feeding him?
How often are you feeding him?
What are his temps?
What is the humidity?
How often do you handle him?
What did you already try?
What did he eat at Petco?
How big is his enclosure?
Does he have two hides?
Are they the same?

[tazzlewazzles]

We need to know a lot more.

How old is he?
How much does he weigh?
What are you feeding him?
How often are you feeding him?
What are his temps?
What is the humidity?
How often do you handle him?
What did you already try?
What did he eat at Petco?
How big is his enclosure?
Does he have two hides?
Are they the same?

Ah right! Sorry, I rushed the post a bit:
1. My best guess is no more than 5 months old.
2. I haven’t had the chance to weigh him just yet, I will as soon as I can get my hands on a good scale, but visually he doesn’t look the appropriate weight.
3. He eats frozen/thawed fuzzy mice right now.
4. His warm side is 93 and his cool side is 82.
5. Humidity reads at 60-65.
6. I usually handle him once per day, but during his shed I didn’t touch him. I haven’t been handling him at all post shed either in hopes that will help him gain his appetite back.
7. I tried heating the prey’s head hotter than the body, splitting to expose brain matter/blood, and using a chicken bullion cube.
8. He ate frozen/thawed fuzzy mice, same as he’s eating now.
9. He lives in a 60 qt. tub with heat pad, plants, 2 hides, water dish, and aspen substrate.
10. He does have 2 hides, and they are the same.

[Sunnieskys]

Lower the hot to 90 the cool side to 80. Fuzzy is too small. Do you have an uth regulated by a thermostat?

- - - Updated - - -

Cover three sides with black paper

[tazzlewazzles]

Lower the hot to 90 the cool side to 80. Fuzzy is too small. Do you have an uth regulated by a thermostat?

- - - Updated - - -

Cover three sides with black paper

Will do! Yes, my uth is thermostat-regulated. What size would you suggest? I really don’t think he could eat much bigger at the size he currently is around, I’ll try to upload a picture of him.

[Zincubus]

I don't think I've ever heard of Royals eating fuzzy to be honest .. think the breeders start them on small mice !??


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[tazzlewazzles]

I don't think I've ever heard of Royals eating fuzzy to be honest .. think the breeders start them on small mice !??


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Honestly I’ve never purchased a snake from a chain store or one this small before, so I’m going to take any advice I get lmao. I’ll give the small mice a shot, for sure!

[Sunnieskys]

Out of the egg they are on hoppers for 3-5 meals then onto small mice. I work for Petco so I get the no bigger than the head but I bypass that because i know better lol. Mine are all on adult mice and weigh in then280 g range lol. Move to hoppers for 2-3 meals then into mice.

[MissterDog]

Will do! Yes, my uth is thermostat-regulated. What size would you suggest? I really don’t think he could eat much bigger at the size he currently is around, I’ll try to upload a picture of him.

This chart should help guide you as he grows but I'd recommend giving him small mice.