Help with Pastel ball python

[JenGirl0146]

The size difference isn't to much as far as I know. The pastel is about 2.3 pounds and the albino is 3.2 pounds. I had them both sexed and they are both male. The original snake that the pastel was housed with was a little smaller then him. Do know if that makes a difference.


Also just tried to feed them. I put a rat into there enclosure, which I NEVER DO. They are normally feed in a separate box. But just to see if either snake was willing to eat at night versus the day. Now both of them are on the other side of the tank wanting nothing to do with it. It's like the rat is diseased and they are running from it. They have done this to everything that I have put in front of them since Nov.

[Slim]

JenGirl, I'm gonna' tell you straight and honest. The size of your BPs does not matter. Housing them together is not a good idea. It's never gonna' be a good idea, and is most likely it's the cause of your current feeding problems.

Take the rat out now and don't try to feed them when they are in the same enclosure. Really bad things can happen.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I feed mine in their cages all of the time. It usually does have better results than back when I fed in a separate container. There really is no reason to feed anywhere else except their cages.

What are you feeding? was it live, pre-killed, or frozen? and how big was it?

[Slim]

I put a rat into there enclosure, which I NEVER DO.

If you NEVER do it, why in the freak did you just do it now? With a burnt snake and one that is obviously stressed? Bad idea.

Is your UTH still on?

[Slim]

I feed mine in their cages all of the time. It usually does have better results than back when I fed in a separate container. There really is no reason to feed anywhere else except their cages.

Aaron, she still has them both in the same tank. Feeding like that is not a good idea, Bro.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Aaron, she still has them both in the same tank. Feeding like that is not a good idea, Bro.

That is true, but in the future when they are not it really helps get a BP off feed back onto it.

[Daybreaker]

Here's some more advice too:

Until you can get a thermostat and really cheap and quick fix to regulate that UTH is a lamp dimmer. You'll need to check temps consistently as it won't regulate the UTH to a certain temperature but it might be a good fix for the time being while you're waiting on your thermostat.

Also not sure if you quarantined your albino from your pastel, but QT is VERY important to keeping healthy snakes and is essential if you plan on introducing new animals to your collection. Here's a good thread on QT: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...antine-process

[SpartaDog]

Number one, SEPARATE YOUR SNAKES. As everyone has said, housing together has no benefits other than convenience, and can cause aggression, stress, and transfer of disease, and also makes it more difficult to monitor snakes based on stool samples and things like that.

Go get a second tank and some more hides and move the albino to the new one. Ball pythons are not social and don't "bond" to each other. They don't get lonely or anything like that. I promise you he's not missing the old snake and was probably looking for something completely unrelated.

Now, once you've done that, and ONLY once you've done that, give them two or three weeks. Try feeding them as usual but don't freak out if they don't take it right away. Afterward, if they're STILL not taking them, try braining the rat (cracking the skull of a frozen rat so the brain cavity is exposed; just a tiny hole usually does it). It makes the scent extremely strong and triggers their feeding response. It works wonders on my boa, who's a very finnicky eater.

And if they STILL don't eat it and you're getting desperate, you can always try assist feeding. There are a few good Youtube videos on how to do it safely.

Also, in regard to reading books and getting up on your research: Honestly, you're better off just talking to people here. Personal experience is always better than books, I think.

[Wiggy]

The people here are exceptional, and I think you're in good hands trusting their experience.

I think you would be well advised for the future to stop asking pet stores for information. Pet stores are notorious for following bad practices and dispensing horrible advice.