Still won't eat

[thorblood666]

Hello everyone I have had my ball for about a month now and he still has not eaten. His setup is a 10 gallon tank with a UTH and an over head infrared lamp. His substrate is coconut husk and has two identical hides on each side. Hot side Reads 90 right at the surface and an ambient temp of 88. Cold side has an ambient temp of 86. All temps are monitored using acu-right probe thermometers. Temps are also read within the hides. Humidity is kept at 50%. I had just recently left him alone from trying to feed him last week, last night I tired to feed him again. I dropped in the live rat and he seemed to notice something was in his tank and was searching for it. But he just seemed to lose intrest and even would smell it and be right up by it but turn away. he did this for about 10 minutes then just crawled into his hide and havent seen him since. Any advice would be much appreciated and thank you!

[kitedemon]

I'd suggest dropping the cool end temps it is quite warm. You should see 90 hot and 80 cool and average ambient 78-85.

When was the last time he ate? How old is he? What what the last thing he ate?

[janett]

Would like to know age please?

Also, where did you get him at? I know that Pet Stores feed mice and depending on his age he may only eat mice. You said you had tried rat. I would try a mouse. I have 2 snakes that will only eat mice. After a snake has only eaten mice for its whole life, the snake's only recognizes mice as food not rats. I start mine off on mice and switch to rats asap, but some chose to stay on mice.

My advice would be, try mice. Maybe that is what he is used to. After that do the opposite of whatever you are doing.

For instance if you are trying to feed live, try to feed FT instead. If you are trying to feed male, then try female instead.

I had another ball that would only eat dark male mice. No white, no cream, no female. It was crazy.

Good luck.

[thorblood666]

I'd suggest dropping the cool end temps it is quite warm. You should see 90 hot and 80 cool and average ambient 78-85.

When was the last time he ate? How old is he? What what the last thing he ate?

Okay will do, but I read that it was alright to keep them at even one temp around 86? Just wondering how much truth there is to that. But the last time he ate was two days before I got him. Not to sure how old he is, but he is around a foot and a half only a little larger than a quarter on the widest part of his body. Last thing he ate was a frozen rat. I have offered frozen every week since I got him and only recently offered a live two weeks ago.

[janett]

Okay will do, but I read that it was alright to keep them at even one temp around 86? Just wondering how much truth there is to that. But the last time he ate was two days before I got him. Not to sure how old he is, but he is around a foot and a half only a little larger than a quarter on the widest part of his body. Last thing he ate was a frozen rat. I have offered frozen every week since I got him and only recently offered a live two weeks ago.

Ignore him, don't pick him up. Don't offer. If he is uncomfortable, then picking him up or trying to feed him a lot will just agitate him. I would suggest not dropping anything live in his tank either, just because if he is not comfortable in his environment, then dropping another animal in their will just stress him out since he is already on the defense.

Snakes can go awhile without eating. It's not uncommon. So, ignore him and let him chill. He may be stressed, going thru shed, etc. Wait to see if you see poop. Usually after they poop they are hungry a couple days later. Also, if you start noticing any wheezing, popping,etc this is an indication of RI. Every snake I have seen with a RI refuses to eat. No matter what you put in there. So, give him some time, if he doesn't eat in the next couple weeks, take a closer look to his breathing etc.

My guess tho, he is just still uncomfortable. =)

[mkeller13]

Would like to know age please?

Also, where did you get him at? I know that Pet Stores feed mice and depending on his age he may only eat mice. You said you had tried rat. I would try a mouse. I have 2 snakes that will only eat mice. After a snake has only eaten mice for its whole life, the snake's only recognizes mice as food not rats. I start mine off on mice and switch to rats asap, but some chose to stay on mice.

My advice would be, try mice. Maybe that is what he is used to. After that do the opposite of whatever you are doing.

For instance if you are trying to feed live, try to feed FT instead. If you are trying to feed male, then try female instead.

I had another ball that would only eat dark male mice. No white, no cream, no female. It was crazy.

Good luck.

I agree and maybe try something smaller. My Albino male is quite capable of eating a small or med. rat, but really isn't interested in anything larger than a weanling.

[janett]

I agree and maybe try something smaller. My Albino male is quite capable of eating a small or med. rat, but really isn't interested in anything larger than a weanling.

Ahh, yes, I agree. I have noticed that sometimes they will kind of "measure" if they feel it is too big or to small they will pass on the food.

[kitedemon]

The only people I know of whom use a stable ambient temp have very tight controls over that. Most simply do not have the resources to be able to A/ accurately check temps B/ control the temps accurately so they are even and stable. It is simply harder than it sounds. Failing this the tradiotional temp methods are likely better. There have been a number of unsucessful attempts by membres here to use the stabel single temp.

Try leaving him 100% alone for two weeks just spot cleaning as needed. Then try him again with F/T rat not more than 10% of his weight. Make sure it is warm enough in the mid 90s low 100s and try the zombie dance with it and see if that helps. You might also try a fake plant or something and if they are not already cover the sides to make it more secure.

Feeding needs correct temps, security and correct prey.

[AK907]

The only people I know of whom use a stable ambient temp have very tight controls over that. Most simply do not have the resources to be able to A/ accurately check temps B/ control the temps accurately so they are even and stable. It is simply harder than it sounds. Failing this the tradiotional temp methods are likely better. There have been a number of unsucessful attempts by membres here to use the stabel single temp.

Yup, stable ambient temps are definitely an advanced technique. We have successfully done it before and it turned out well for us, but we have been keeping snakes for many years and I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner. In most cases your safest bet is to provide an proper thermal gradient. In most cases proper husbandry will solve your problems.

Listen to those who have responded above me. They nailed it. Dealing with picky eaters is all part of the joy of owning a ball python. Keeps you on your toes and guessing.