Do some balls prefer BIGGER enclosures?

[hungba]

I know that when kept in racks etc. balls generally seem to prefer smaller tubs where they are tucked away and feel secure. I have a newly acquired ball that has now been with me for about 3 weeks. She is not feeding. The previous owner fed both live mice and f/t rats (he bred his own rats, and when he ran out, he would buy mice because rats are not easily available around these parts unless in bulk).

In the three weeks I have tried to feed 3 times, once a week. First time was a f/t rat heated with tongs. No interest at all, in fact it looked kind of scared of it.
Second time tried a live rat while very closely supervised. No good.
Third time was a f/t rat scented with live rat (thawing in ziploc bag with rat bedding, and also rubbed on the live rat). No good. That same time I also tried a very small live rat.

I am not worried because she is quite big at almost 800 grams. But you know how it drives you nuts especially when that is the only one not feeding.

What I then found out when talking to the previous owner was that she was kept in a HUGE HUGE HUGE tank! WAAAY too big for a ball python. I figured a smaller tank is better and the guy agreed. But it ate in the huge tank and not here aparently. He only fed her once every 2 to 3 weeks though I found out.

I think she is just off feed, no matter what I try. She wasn't picky before.

Do some balls prefer bigger tanks instead?

hot end 90 cold end 80 humidity 60 yadda yadda...

[minguss]

No such thing as to big imo.
The time frame you had her is not that long and some snakes take longer to adjust than others.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I don't put much merit into the whole they feel more secure in a small enclosure. By the time mi e are 500 grams they are in a 4'x2' cage. None of them have gone off feed or acted stressed so far. I'd one eventually does I will gladly provide a smaller enclosure... But I'll deal with that if and when it happens.

[DooLittle]

Mine don't seem to be bothered by their larger enclosures. They have their hides, and are fine. I would think your problem is more letting her settle in. Let her be, no touching, handling, or feeding for a week. Also trying to feed to much can stress them out. I would think she is ok eating every two weeks.And feeding in a smaller tub could be part of it. I have one guy we got as an adult, he had been fed live his whole life. The only way he would eat was a live rat, in his 40 gallon tank. He won't eat in a tub. Maybe not enough room to strike? Good luck, and I wouldn't sweat it yet.

[Mike41793]

I recently switched both of my balls over to tubs and saw zero difference in their behaviors and feeding response. If anything theyre probably happier in the tubs because its darker, slightly warmer, and more humid without me having to mist so much.

[hungba]

Mine don't seem to be bothered by their larger enclosures. They have their hides, and are fine. I would think your problem is more letting her settle in. Let her be, no touching, handling, or feeding for a week. Also trying to feed to much can stress them out. I would think she is ok eating every two weeks.And feeding in a smaller tub could be part of it. I have one guy we got as an adult, he had been fed live his whole life. The only way he would eat was a live rat, in his 40 gallon tank. He won't eat in a tub. Maybe not enough room to strike? Good luck, and I wouldn't sweat it yet.

Well this one supposedly ate both rats and mice, live and f/t throughout its life.

[babyknees]

I would try a live mouse. I have a ball that is very picky and if he stops eating rats I can always get him to eat a mouse.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Nothing to do with the enclosure size and yes there is such a thing as an enclosure being too big.

Many BP reach a plateau when reaching 800/1000 grams my advice keep the animal in the smallest enclosure possible to help the animal resume feeding, no handling except for maintenance.

I have had many female that had stop eating at that range and they only resume feeding (or at least resume faster) when place in smaller, dark enclosure.

I currently have a 1000 grams female that had to be downsized to a 15 quarts as she will not eat for me in a 32 quarts tub, after 2 weeks in her new tub she finally ate for me (she has been with me since October and never took a meal for me)

With Ball Pythons it is all about security and trying to mimic their natural environment as much as possible, in the wild they spend 80% of their time in tight dark termite mount and being able to provide security is essential.

[AliCat37]

I had my ball python in a 2x4 cage for almost a year, but he never shed right and he went on two feeding strikes.. I just put him in a 41 quart tub in a rack enclosed on 3 sides.. he's in shed right now, so we'll see how it goes and if he resumes eating! I'll say that over all my ball seems to be doing better in the tub.

[hungba]

Nothing to do with the enclosure size and yes there is such a thing as an enclosure being too big.

Not sure I understand what you're saying. "Nothing to do with enclosure size", but it seems you recommend putting in a smaller dark enclosure?

I currently have a 1000 grams female that had to be downsized to a 15 quarts as she will not eat for me in a 32 quarts tub, after 2 weeks in her new tub she finally ate for me (she has been with me since October and never took a meal for me)

I have her in a 15 quart since she arrived. I only handle when cleaning changing substrate and water etc. and even then I only pick her up and put her into a vacant tub, then put her back when done. She was in the big enclosure BEFORE I got her, when she was with the previous owner.