feeding advice

[ballin1331]

I have 2011 normal female ball python that a friend gave me. He swore up and down that she fed twice before I got her(small mice), but Ive had her for a little over a month and she has refused to eat. Ive tried f/t, live, rats, mice, leaving her in the dark and everything else I was told, but still nothing. I'm worried she will die soon. Any advice???

[Kinra]

Is you husbandry correct? (temps/humidity/cage size) Has she been losing weight? If everything in her setup is correct you could try assisted feeding as last resort if she's losing weight, but I would find someone who knows what they are doing and can help you.

[mues155]

What is the snakes husbandry like with you?
give us temps, size of enclosure, subsrate, etc.
Did you ask the guy how he fed her? (if he really did)

[ballin1331]

For right now, shes in a 20L. Under her lamp, temp sits around 90 degrees and her cool spot is around 80. Humidity is maybe 50% and according to the guy I got her from, shes been eating f/t mice. From what I see Im not noticing weight loss, but Im new at this so what do I know

[llovelace]

She may be a little stressed from being in such a large container.
Try moving her to a 6qt tub, let her settle in for a few days then try feeding again.

[AliCat37]

For right now, shes in a 20L. Under her lamp, temp sits around 90 degrees and her cool spot is around 80. Humidity is maybe 50% and according to the guy I got her from, shes been eating f/t mice. From what I see Im not noticing weight loss, but Im new at this so what do I know

Well... first off. Toss the lamp, get an under tank heater. Lamps dry them out (50% is too dry for a BP) and also, balls are nocturnal, the lamp is over kill. Is your screen top wrapped? You can't hold in heat or humidity with out it being covered. Also, you won't notice weight loss without a scale.

[ballin1331]

Thanks for the advice, I relocated her to a 6qt tub and I tossed the lamp. Im investing in a scale this week so I can keep track as well. Hopefully she adapts well.

[Homegrownscales]

I agree a scale is 100% necessary. Grab a cheap notebook and record everything including weights, feeds, sheds, regurges if they happen, and defecations. This will be a lifesaver for both of you if a problem should ever arise. I think shell have an easier time in the 6qt. Babies stress easily and I would encourage you to get a live small mouse and try and to feed her in a week.
Then when she starts eating regularly switch her back over to ft.

Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[Kymberli]

Thanks for the advice, I relocated her to a 6qt tub and I tossed the lamp. Im investing in a scale this week so I can keep track as well. Hopefully she adapts well.

I agree with tossing the lamp, but do you now have a regulated under tank heater? She does need some form of heat and I don't recall reading about you having an uth. Also, 50% is not too dry for a BP who is not in shed. Humidity should be 50-60% while not in shed and bumped up to around 70% during shed. Hopefully she'll start to eat for you, just keep trying appropriately sized live mice. Give her about 5 days to settle into her new enclosure before offering food again though. If mice do not work, see if you can find so African Soft Furred rats.

[el8ch]

Hey there - First, congrats on your new BP!

If you haven't already, check out the Caresheet. It has a lot of valuable information about the care of your new pet.

Most of your feeding questions have been answered above so I will just touch on one quick thing. When using a UTH you need something to regulate the heat output to avoid overheating and potentially burning your snake. Heat pads can get really hot with out some form of thermostat. I would recommend you invest in a thermostat or rheostat (light dimmer) if you haven't already. If you are on a budget you can get a light dimmer from Walmart for around $10.