Baby weight concern, not eating

[Vapor29]

I picked up a female albino on 7/31. I was told that she was born on 7/3 and had eaten twice. I believe she was 58g when i got her which seemed a little small. She has not taken anything since I have gotten her. I have tried fuzzy and hopper mice with no luck. She is now around 55g, so she is losing some weight. She is starting to look skinny. Should I be concerned at this point? Should I assist feed her? I also picked up a bumble bee a few days ago and he already nailed a hopper. Which makes this more frustrating. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Kaorte]

Can you tell us about your setup? That is usually the first place feeding issues come from.

I would suggest sticking a baby that small in a 6qt tub with two small hides and a water bowl.

[Paysons Bps]

I've heard albinos are a little more reluctant to eat.
Are you feeding live or F/t?

I wouldent resort to assist feeding just yet, assist feeding is only when you've tryed everything, and nothing worked.

Try feeding a live ASF, those seem to do the trick!

Good luck!
-Payson!

[Vypyrz]

Hello, and to BP.net...

The first thing is, have you left her alone since you got her with no handling to let her acclimate to her new surroundings? What type/size of enclosure are you keeping her in? What type of heating are you using? What are you using to control it? What are you temperatures and what are you using to measure them? And what type of hides are you using?
The first thing is to make sure there are no husbandry or security issues. If you could post a photo or provide the details of the set-up, it would help. Also, what type of prey have you offered, and how often?...

[RichsBallPythons]

Be sure setup is small and tight. With her being young feed Live hopper mice every 3 days.

6qt or 10 gallon setup is the biggest you want for her right now.

[Vapor29]

She is in a 10g with two small hides and a water dish. Also some fake plants to clutter up the tank a bit. I have a heat pad hooked up to a thermostat at about 92 on the warm end. And about 75-80 on the cool. I have the digital thermometer from walmart with the probe. I left her alone for 4-5 days before I attempted to feed her. I have tried live fuzzies and hoppers. I waited a couple days between each attempt.

[RichsBallPythons]

Well she has eaten on her own before so try doing the same setup in a 6qt tub for a month or 2 and move her up to the 10 gallon after she eats well for you.


Be sure all sides but 1 are covered on the tank if you dont down size to 6qt to make it darker.


If she dont eat for you soon you will want to assist feed a fuzzy mouse to get her back into the swing of things.

[don15681]

I would go to walmart and buy a 6 qt. tub.( 1 dollar) put some air holes in the sides. put the tub in your 10 gallon tank about 1/3 on the heat and use the lid. check temps in tub. use paper towels in bottom of tub. place small bowl of water in tub with hatchling. leave alone and offer live prey every 3 days. I hatched out many albinos and most do fine. Like the other members said it's the size change of an enclosure that throws them off feed. breeders don't have the room to put hatchlings in 10 gallon tanks. plus hatchlings do very well in the 6 qt tubs. I keep them in there until they are over 300 grams, then cut a hole in the 6 qt tub. the snake can use it as a hide where it feels secure plus start to get use to the 10 gallon tank. when you go larger in tank size, the snake will have some size and feeding isn't as much of an issuse. good luck, don

[seeya205]

You should leave her alone for one week. no handling, no looking at her, nothing! Also cover all the sides and top so she feels more secure then after a week try feeding her. Keep repeating it weekly until she eats. After she eats then you can feed every 5 days! My first bp tool 3 weeks before he took his first meal! Check this caresheet and make sure you have done everything on it: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

[AkHerps]

Are you trying to feed in the tank, or in a separate feeding enclosure?