Not eating at first feed

[mega8]

Just got a bp last week and tried to feed it for the first time yesterday. Our research before and after buying has been on this forum, google, and books. I have found such differences of opinions on feeding. So, we took the advice of the pet store (pet land) and took snake out of its tank, put in a different enclosure; a rubbermaid bin, and gave it a live small mouse. The snake did not eat it, did not attempt at all. The mouse pecked at the snake, and we were done after that.

From what I have read, bp can be finicky, and need to be calm and not stressed out to feed. Well, putting it in a cold, plastic bin, wouldn't that stress it out?

Advice? Feed live in tank? Frozen and thawed in tank?

Whats the general rule for size of food for size of snake? the thickness of the largest part of the snakes body?

Thanks!

[steveboos]

Well you just got him/her, so give them the benefit of the doubt. Some of my new arrivals wouldn't eat for 2 weeks, others eat the day i moved them. Just leave him/her in their enclousure and feed them in there, less stress for the ball python. Also don't worry about him not eating, they can go over a year without food. Just try again in a few days in their tub.

Also don't always listen to people in pet stores. haha

[Seru1]

Yeah feeding in the tub is a good way to go. Don't be upset if they don't eat the first time or two, trust me easier said than done.

Couldn't hurt to double check your environment settings. Do you know if they were feeding it live or f/t?

[Big Gunns]

We need more info on how exactly you are housing your snake and exactly how big the snake is.

[mega8]

The snake is about 18" long and about 3" around its thickest part.

It's in a 20 long tank, the warm side is 87-90 during the day; a heat pad stuck to oustide of tank and a light on during day. Nightime temp is 82 on warm side (we've been running the a/c in our house at night, I turned off the vents in the room the snake is in, but our house is definetly cooler at night; not sure if I may need another heater in there for the summer; we keep our house at 72 at night and 74-76 during the day). There are 2 hollow logs in the tank, one on each side and a water bowl in the middle; the snake hides under all 3 places throughout the day. It spends time on warm side, cooler side, and in between. Seems very active at night at soon as we go to bed.

The pet store was feeding it live. The mouse the pet store sold us looked big to us; but they claim that is just what it had been eating.

Thanks

[Danounet]

Alright here come the quick run down.

First of all you need to get the temps on the warm side substrate to at least 90.

Second, hollow logs are not the best choice for ball pythons, they prefer tight fit with one hole to crawl in and out kinda hides.

Third, how are you reassuring temps? this is really important.

Forth, not sure if you are doing this or not, but is worth mentioning. Dont bother the snake until it starts eating. No handling at all, also keep her off high traffic areas.

[Kaorte]

I would suggest just feeding the snake in its home enclosure. Ball pythons are very shy snakes and don't get "cage aggressive". This is mainly a problem with larger snakes where it can become a very dangerous situation if you get bit. If you get bit by a ball python, you probably won't even bleed.

As for a feeding rule, 10-15% of the snakes body weight is what I use. If you don't already, I would suggest getting a kitchen gram scale to keep track of your snakes weight. It also helps because you can measure feeders and get exactly the right size.

Also, make sure you are measuring your temps accurately. Those round dial thermometer and hygrometers are no good. They can be up to 10* off in both directions. If you can, get your hands on an accurite weather station thermometer. You can find them at lowes, home depot and walmart for around $11. Make sure you get the one with the external wired probe. This unit will measure humidity, spot temperature, and ambient air temperature so it is the only measuring device you will need in the tank.

[mega8]

Great info!

We'll get a new thermometer today.........

using a retpi therm 10-20 gallon under tank heater, stuck to the side of the 20long tank; I should probably buy the next size if I can't get the temp up there.

[Kaorte]

Great info!

We'll get a new thermometer today.........

using a retpi therm 10-20 gallon under tank heater, stuck to the side of the 20long tank; I should probably buy the next size if I can't get the temp up there.

If you can get it off, you should stick it to the bottom of your tank.

[mega8]

So, got the thermometer w/probe; maybe a dumb ? but where does it go? in the tank? just the probe in the tank?