HELP! Not eating!

[Lillyponygirl]

Okay, I own a 1 year old (and 2 months) normal het. male BP. He's a very good boy about his feeding...usually.
Even though he is pretty big (but not overweight, I'm sure) I am a kid so I cannot make the choice of bringing rats into the house. Instead, Spud has 2 live mice a week. It has recently been bumped to 3.

Spud has been fine with this program, he eats the mice quickly after he has finished the first in his feeding bin. (After the first is completely swallowed, we place another in.) But he only eats white mice. (No problem, yet. ;D)

But we just moved. His behavior is normal, not at all agressive or timid or lazy. He is handeled regularly, but only about once every one or sometimes two days, and for short time periods. He is active, curious, and friendly.

But it has been 2 weeks since Spud has eaten! I just came back from another failed feeding attempt. This time, there was a black mouse, which he wouldn't eat. So we put Spud back, removed the black mouse from the room,and left Spud for 20 minutes. WE then brought him back, with a white mouse, but he STILL isn't eating.

Help!

[Lillyponygirl]

It's his second winter as well.
(birthday is August 13...)
Is he fasting? His tank's temp. is the average, sometimes a couple degrees lower, but we switch the day light with the night and he's fine. Usually he basks in it, but now he's stopped that too...he actually goes off the the other "cool" side and hides behind his water.

[don15681]

you need to tell us more about his enclosure (home) and what the temps are, both the air temp and your hot spot. what are you using to heat the enclosure. spud can just be going off feed which is normal for a ball python, but if the temps are off or the humidity is off that can make the snake go off feed. If this is the problem, it needs to be corrected. you need to give us more information so we can help you.

[RichsBallPythons]

well 2 weeks at his age is child's play. They can go months and be fine. Its also breeding season now and if he is male hes wanting some action.


Another thing you need to switch up is feed inside his cage and not take him out to feed. That alone is enough to post pone feeding.

be sure the cage hes in isnt too big and has a 90-94 hot site and 80-84 cool side at all times with no night time drop. Keep humidity at 50-65% humidity at all times when not shedding.

Pictures of setup will help as well.

[Lillyponygirl]

you need to tell us more about his enclosure (home) and what the temps are, both the air temp and your hot spot. what are you using to heat the enclosure. spud can just be going off feed which is normal for a ball python, but if the temps are off or the humidity is off that can make the snake go off feed. If this is the problem, it needs to be corrected. you need to give us more information so we can help you.

I'll take some pics.
His mid way temp is around 84. His cool spot 80, his hot spot around 90-92. His humidity should be fine, but I have to measuring of it. He DOES live in a large enclosure, but with plenty of stuff to keep it cozy for now. He has a large water "bowl" as well.

[jason79]

I have a question you say its a het normal male? Is it het for something or normal?

[seeya205]

How are you measuring temps? You should have a digital thermometer and hygrometer for humidity! Also you need two identical, tight fitting hides, one in the cool side and one in the warm side!

[Lillyponygirl]

How are you measuring temps? You should have a digital thermometer and hygrometer for humidity! Also you need two identical, tight fitting hides, one in the cool side and one in the warm side!

Yep! I have the theremometer, hygrometer (does it mesaure by %? I have on e like that). I also have some hides! There are two tiny ones, he just squeezes into them, they are like half-logs. He also has a plant, a stick thing, and a vine that dangles for decoration. As well as a water bowl, flat rock,and shavings. On both sides.

[hawaiianice99]

post a pic of the enclosure so we can help you.

[blackcrystal22]

Half-logs are not very good hides.

2 weeks is nothing. My year old ball has gone without eating for nearly 5 months. Nothing to worry about.

Large enclosures could be a cause of stress too. IMO, I don't think he should be in anything bigger than a 20 gallon long. If he continues to not eat, I recommend lowering his cage size.