I'm running out of ideas...

[reptile65]

I purchased a baby female BP on 6/19/11 from my local reptile shop. I was TOLD that their ball pythons were already established and eating pretty well, so I didn't think I would have too many issues getting her to eat for me. Well, I've had her over a month and a half now and she STILL hasn't eaten

I am running out of things to try. I've tried both frozen and live. I've tried offering both rats and mice. I've tried braining. I've tried leaving the F/T mouse in her tub overnight. I just don't know what to do anymore, and she's really starting to worry me. I know snakes can go a while without eating, but she was only 45 grams to start with and she now looks a bit skinnier to me.

I have not been handling her at all this whole time and I've only been occasionally lifting the tub lid to check on her and change her water, etc. As far as husbandry, I'm keeping her exactly the same as my adult male and he never misses a meal. Please help!

[spitzu]

Have you tried assist feeding? She's way too small to wait any longer for her to get food down.

[anatess]

Whoa... 45 grams to me doesn't sound like an established eater. That would have meant he was hatched at 25 grams or so which is highly unlikely.

I agree with spitzu, 6 weeks is too long to wait out a 45 grammer. I'd go and assist-feed. If you're not comfortable with that, try to find a breeder close to you who can help with this.

[reptile65]

Have you tried assist feeding? She's way too small to wait any longer for her to get food down.

I haven't. I'm a little scared to try because I don't want to hurt the snake. But if that's what I need to do, I will most definitely do it. Can you give me some advice on assist feeding and/or point me in the right direction as far as where to find info on it? Thanks.

[anatess]

I haven't. I'm a little scared to try because I don't want to hurt the snake. But if that's what I need to do, I will most definitely do it. Can you give me some advice on assist feeding and/or point me in the right direction as far as where to find info on it? Thanks.

There are several youtube videos on it. Do a search on assist-feed on this forum, you should find a lot of info on it.

Assist-feeding is advanced husbandry. I suggest that you try to find a breeder close to you that can help first before you try doing it on your own. At least for the first time. You might have to assist-feed for a while before your snake "gets it".

[jsmorphs2]

Whoa... 45 grams to me doesn't sound like an established eater. That would have meant he was hatched at 25 grams or so which is highly unlikely.

I agree with spitzu, 6 weeks is too long to wait out a 45 grammer. I'd go and assist-feed. If you're not comfortable with that, try to find a breeder close to you who can help with this.

x2....

You're in Colorado right? I hate to ask but where did you get it?

Either way, if you are in the Springs I could help you. Or just look up "assist feeding" in the Advanced Husbandry forum. It's fairly easy and as long as you are careful you shouldn't injure your snake. It's a good skill to learn when keeping BPs.

[sho220]

You need to assist feed asap. It ain't gonna be pleasant, but it needs to be done. Check out a bunch of videos and give it a shot.

Once you get her eating, go back to the shop you bought her at and give them a big thank you...or something like that...

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Here are some keys

1# Forget F/T try live, having your animal to eat is YOUR priority switching is completely secondary. Offer live Hopper Mouse.

2# Security and Warmth, I would suggest you to have this animal setup in a 6 quarts tub (No larger than that), have some aspen as substrate, a 6 inch plastic flower pot saucer as an hide and proper gradient temps.

3# NO HANDLING until the animal eats at least 5 times for you.

[tcutting]

Here are some keys

1# Forget F/T try live, having your animal to eat is YOUR priority switching is completely secondary. Offer live Hopper Mouse.

2# Security and Warmth, I would suggest you to have this animal setup in a 6 quarts tub (No larger than that), have some aspen as substrate, a 6 inch plastic flower pot saucer as an hide and proper gradient temps.

3# NO HANDLING until the animal eats at least 5 times for you.

x2

[reptile65]

x2....

You're in Colorado right? I hate to ask but where did you get it?

Either way, if you are in the Springs I could help you. Or just look up "assist feeding" in the Advanced Husbandry forum. It's fairly easy and as long as you are careful you shouldn't injure your snake. It's a good skill to learn when keeping BPs.

Yes, I'm in CO. I got her from Scales n' Tails. I now realize this was a terrible idea, but I never thought it would take THIS long to get her to eat. I'm about an hour and a half away from the Springs, so that probably won't work. I'll just read up on it like crazy and try it.