My New Snake!

[Bluebonnet Herp]

I'm a bit concerned for the OP's animal in the long run. Aside from what's been mentioned about husbandry, I'm worried that the BP will not receive proper nutrition, in that the keeper is trying to keep it on a 'diet,' and feeding it on the small scale of food items. Ball pythons don't often get 'big' and those that do are considered desirable. If you can't handle the possible full grown size, then don't get the snake. But don't deny it proper nutrition. Hatchling ball pythons can take live fuzzies as their first meal, and anything after that is usually hopper sized. If the store was able to keep him on a regimen of hoppers, then keep it that way, or better yet, get it feeding on rat pups. I feed my ball pythons on rats about the same size or slightly bigger than their girth, and it should leave a small bump in their body. (Not the size of something seen in those crazy African documentaries though.)

[DestinyLynette]

Get it in a bigger tank. If you can't afford a bigger tank, get a sterilite tub with holes in it for humidity- much cheaper. Put down proper bedding. Water bowl. Hides- you don't even have to buy them; there are creative ways to make them. **UNDER THE TANK HEATER**. Air temps are NOT enough! You should have a hot spot of 90-92 degrees, and a coll area of about 85 or so... And to go with the UTH, you need something to regulate temperature. A decent affordable option is the Hydrofarm one; 30 or 40 bucks...
That environment is not acceptable for that snake though.. period. :/ Also, I'd suggest rat fuzzies or mice hoppers.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Really the OP need to start here and read read READ!!!!!!!
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

[DooLittle]

Really the OP need to start here and read read READ!!!!!!!
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

This ^^^^

[Zombietox]

Ok for all of you trying to help me thank you all the rude ones I just brush you off my shoulder, This is a hatchling when they had him before I bought him he was in a smaller place, they told me to keep him in here for 7 DAYS!!! if you guys ever read? Anyways yes its approaching the 7 day mark! yes I will be putting him in a new cage! like seriously -.- However I am taking him BACK! to scales and tails for not eating as I believe he is not eating due to prey is too big. He is a Hatch-ling...

Now We have a temperature monitor in his cage! no need to freak out people, and YES! I do have a heater for when its too cold... but seriously his cage is always in the 80s if it gets closer to the 90s I take him away from my dresser (where he is set) and yes it gets hot in here Colorado so I keep him below 90 as I will start cooking him, I am doing my best of what people been breeding snakes for over 20 yrs. As some of you get confused of what I am saying, YES I do have a disability causing my speech and writing to be terrible as I have had a special ED most of my school because I would not understand people or situations and have to be explained in other ways, and YES my husband sometimes has to help me! Not asking for pity but patients and try and understand what I am saying if not DON'T JUMP ME!

But his cage is always in the 80's 87 to 88 when it becomes closer to 90s I removed him away from the heater (usually beside it now) and he stays at 85-86 and through the night stays the same with a fan in our window and yes I monitor it every hour or so, the first night I stayed up all night watching it to make sure where I could set him to keep him at a steady flow of heat and not make him to hot. So please don't think I am not keeping him warm, but I am worried for him not eating hence why I am taking him back to scales and tails, and making them get him to eat. My family thinks his instincts might not be kicking in yet, I just think its too big... I can take pictures for you of the mouse its still alive -.- which I will be releasing it far away from here (sorry maybe cruel but I find it more cruel to watch it slowly die and starve) I have them separated now, the mouse was only in his cage for 3 days due to him seeming ALWAYS interested slightly striking but not Striking to kill...


So is it just me or this mouse IS TO BIG!!!! for him?


OH Also they had nothing smaller but I still feel its too big

[Zombietox]

Question about plastic tubs... Ummm How is the snake to breath? Like I have never used one in my life.

[MootWorm]

OP I think what most people are concerned about is that he doesn't have a stable gradient set up, and seems like he doesn't have the hotspot that can facilitate a feeding response and digestion. Unless you're constantly monitoring his cage to move him to cooler/hotter spots as required, his temps are going through wild fluctuations.

And it's totally your decision to return an animal you're unhappy with, but keep in mind that most people don't even offer food to a new snake until after a week has passed. Not eating for 7 days is by no means a food strike.

With regards to the size of prey your feeding, it looks appropriate, but it's hard to tell without any references. Could you possibly post a pic of it next to the snake? And is it a mouse or a rat? Also, please do not release it into the wild. Could you perhaps rehome it or return the feeder as well?

[MootWorm]

Question about plastic tubs... Ummm How is the snake to breath? Like I have never used one in my life.

I drill or use a soldering iron to make ventilation holes in the sides and/or top of the tub. Add more holes if the humidity is too high.

[Zombietox]

OP I think what most people are concerned about is that he doesn't have a stable gradient set up, and seems like he doesn't have the hotspot that can facilitate a feeding response and digestion. Unless you're constantly monitoring his cage to move him to cooler/hotter spots as required, his temps are going through wild fluctuations.

And it's totally your decision to return an animal you're unhappy with, but keep in mind that most people don't even offer food to a new snake until after a week has passed. Not eating for 7 days is by no means a food strike.

With regards to the size of prey your feeding, it looks appropriate, but it's hard to tell without any references. Could you possibly post a pic of it next to the snake? And is it a mouse or a rat? Also, please do not release it into the wild. Could you perhaps rehome it or return the feeder as well?

Possible I could rehome it I didn't think releasing it was a bad thing, It is a mouse and yes I am checking his tank every Hour and his temperature only changes 2-3 degrees at a time, and OH NO I will not be returning him at all I love animals all of animals I just need some help possibly getting him fed thats all. Well I am the only one home at the moment and holding the house I would rather not get bit if ya get me. Umm What does OP mean?

Also I just read 90 is basking temperature, ALSO I forgot to mention he always has a warm spot in his cage and a cool spot, like half/half hes half on and half off, although hes being more active with the mouse out of his cage, Umm hes being handled just fine no aggression and I had mouse smell on me not thinking I handled him and no biting. So I am just worried about him not eating, but my father inlaw snake Nate 11yrs now he didnt eat for a full month!! when he first got him. The mouse honestly looks almost full grown so I would call it a hopper?

[MootWorm]

Possible I could rehome it I didn't think releasing it was a bad thing, It is a mouse and yes I am checking his tank every Hour and his temperature only changes 2-3 degrees at a time, and OH NO I will not be returning him at all I love animals all of animals I just need some help possibly getting him fed thats all. Well I am the only one home at the moment and holding the house I would rather not get bit if ya get me. Umm What does OP mean?

Also I just read 90 is basking temperature, ALSO I forgot to mention he always has a warm spot in his cage and a cool spot, like half/half hes half on and half off, although hes being more active with the mouse out of his cage, Umm hes being handled just fine no aggression and I had mouse smell on me not thinking I handled him and no biting. So I am just worried about him not eating, but my father inlaw snake Nate 11yrs now he didnt eat for a full month!! when he first got him. The mouse honestly looks almost full grown so I would call it a hopper?

OP is original poster Sorry I misunderstood. When you said you were taking him back to the pet shop, I thought you were returning him. Is there any way you can get him set up with an under tank heater and a thermostat? It's over 90 in my house, and everyone still has their heat and t-stats on. When it gets too hot, they simply shut off. It'll be much easier for you in the long run, as you won't have to constantly monitor and worry about his set up.

You'd be surprised how big of a feeder the little guys can take down. It's probably not too big for him, but if you're concerned I'd definitely get a live rat pinky if you can get your hands on one. But offer it after he's been settled for awhile and isn't stressed.