Hi All. I am new to the group. Currently I am the proud owner of 1:1 Ball Pythons ( Sapphira and Eragon ) and 0:0:2 hatchling corn snake morphs 1 reverse okeetee and 1 snow ( Garnet and Cobalt ), can you tell that I have a 7 year old daughter !!! Sapphira our female is weighing in at 200 grams, she has not eaten in 2 weeks but has not lost any weight. Not worried about her as it is winter here on Long Island. She was owned by another herper who had to make some room in his collection. She was my present from Santa. Eragon was purchased about a week after X-mas and was the last one left but my youghest Daughter fell in love with him. He only weighs in at about 80 grams. He was displaying longitudinal wrinkles along his neck but I soaked him and he drank so all was good. He has eaten 3 times since I got him, 1 fuzzy mouse, 1 large rat pup, 1 med. mouse, all live. He was a little thin to start with but now he hasn't eaten in three weeks! His weight has dropped to 77 grams from 80 grams and he seems VERY skinny to me. He also had a rough shed It took soakings and mineral oil to get him to shed his head and caps. He was also constipated and it took five days of straining and warm soaks to get him to go! Again all sings of dehydration if I am not mistaken. Other than this he seems quite happy thermoregulating and such. Now The question for the experts did I do a Bad thing, I was worried about him being so thin and not eating so when he wouldn't eat I assisited him using a small F/T mouse. Basically putting it in his mouth so he couldn't spit it out. Instinct quickly took over and he swallowed it with no regurge as of 24 hours. If I did a good thing and he continues to not eat on his own should I do it again until he starts eating on his own, just so that I keep some weight on him and keep him hydrated! he is in a 30 gallon aquarium 75-80 cool side, 95 - 100 hot isde day, 85 - 90 hot side night, humidity about 60 to 70%. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Mike