New Ball not feeding

[Eazyyyb]

Just tried to feed by lowering thawed mouse in tank with tongs, still will not feed. For the record I have now had her for 1 week so she hasn't eaten in atleast 1 week (probably more unless she was fed the day before I got her and I don't think she has) I understand BPs often skip meals and fast and all, I just wish she would feed so I could stop worrying about it

[ROACH]

Moving her to a separate enclosure is a sure way to make sure she doesn't eat. Feed in the same enclosure.

To make switching to f/t easier, sometimes you can't just toss the corpse in there. You have to do a bit of a "zombie dance". If you don't already, get some feeding tongs or long hemostats. Thaw the rodent like normally and then take your hemo's or feeding tongs and pinch it behind the head/shoulder area. Then quietly open up the tub and kind of walk him around like's he checking out the snakes pad. Try to simulate what the live mouse/rat normally does when you drop him in. Usually the snake will poke his head out and start flicking his tongue. Keep moving the mouse around and they'll usually come out and grab it. You have to be subtle...don't smack the snake around on the head with the mouse...yeah...people have come on this forum and recommended that.

Switching from mice to rats is a whole 'nother topic...

"Moving her to a separate enclosure is a sure way to make sure she doesn't eat." I'd hate to differ from you here, but I move mine to a seperate enclosure for every feeding and dont have a single problem. This is a bad statement!

[ROACH]

Are you just dropping it in there? You definitely want to use feeding tongs and entice the snake. Make sure it's a little warm to the touch, like a mouse would be. Feed in the enclosure, don't take her out, it will just stress her out, and she'll be less likely to eat, and you're also more likely to get bit.

A lot of people wait a week to try to feed after getting a new baby, just so they get used to their new enclosure. I was able to feed mine only 4 days after I got her though. How are your temps and humidity? Can you describe your set-up?

Why does a lot of people think moving them will be problems? Ive been moving mine for years now and havent been bit yet in that process. I have been bit while my hand was in their enclosure, but never during feeding. YES it is easier, maybe less stressful, but if thats the way you start out feeding them they seem to get use to the process. Just my thoughts.

[Eazyyyb]

Why does a lot of people think moving them will be problems? Ive been moving mine for years now and havent been bit yet in that process. I have been bit while my hand was in their enclosure, but never during feeding. YES it is easier, maybe less stressful, but if thats the way you start out feeding them they seem to get use to the process. Just my thoughts.

hmmm that does make sense, thanks. Ill contact the pet store tomorrow and find out if they have been moving her to feed in the past

[satomi325]

"Moving her to a separate enclosure is a sure way to make sure she doesn't eat." I'd hate to differ from you here, but I move mine to a seperate enclosure for every feeding and dont have a single problem. This is a bad statement!

But the thing is, its not good advice to say its OK to keep moving and bothering a snake that isn't an established feeder either.

If you want to feed your animal in another enclosure, that's fine. If thats what works for you and your snake, great! You know your animal will eat and what its stress limits are.

The snake in question is new and clearly not eating for a reason. That reason probably being stress. Whether its stress from poor husbandry or over stimulation or whatever. Moving it back and forth or even just short handling sessions are not helping this animal settle down to eat.

Most people here will tell newbies not to feed in a separate enclosure. Its not a rule set in stone, but guidelines to help new keepers care for their animals with the best efficiency and results. Once they become more experienced and learn about their animal, they can tweak their care methods to what works best for them and their animals. Just like how you know your snake can feel comfortable and is an aggressive eater to feed in a separate enclosure.

I personally have a few BPs that can probably feed in a separate enclosure with no issue. But I also have some that wouldn't dare look at a feeder if it wasn't in its own tub. In the end. I just feed everybody in their own enclosure because I know the limits of my snakes and what they can and can't handle. And I know my snakes generally have a stronger feed response in their own comfortable space. Why stress them out unnecessarily?

And since the OP's snake is new and not established yet, its probably the better course of action to feed in its own enclosure for the time being. Maybe once the snake becomes a strong constant feeder, the OP can choose if they want to feed in another enclosure or not.

I'm not disagreeing with you. Only that I don't think its appropriate for the OPs particular snake at this current time.

OP: can you describe your set up? Leave your snake alone for a week to settle down. It needs time to adjust to its new home

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[satomi325]

OP: can you describe your set up?

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Nevermind. I see your picture and post now. For some reason I couldn't see it before.

I suggest covering the sides and back of the enclosure with black paper or background paper. It will make your snake feel more secure. Clear glass will sometimes make them feel exposed and vulnerable. More cover and a snug hide will probably help as well.


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[Neal]

The thing about the half log hide is it has two entrances, and that's why we never recommend it to people.

I wouldn't move any of my BP's to another enclosure, while sure some people do and it works for them it's not going to for everybody. I would never recommend it to another person simply because not all BP's will eat when being moved from their normal enclosure and a BP will eat in it's own enclosure if it eats from being moved as well. That's all that they're saying ROACH.

You want to give the snake a thermal gradient so it can regulate it's body temperature the way it wants to. Depending on the size of your snake try a mouse hopper(but only if it's a good meal for the snake). I don't see your snake and pictures can lie so I wouldn't attempt to judge size by a picture. Some snakes will never eat f/t but then some will switch to f/t once their feeding response has kicked up. So while you're trying to get your BP to eat, I would stick to live until she's eating regularly for you or at least two meals.

[ROACH]

But the thing is, its not good advice to say its OK to keep moving and bothering a snake that isn't an established feeder either.

If you want to feed your animal in another enclosure, that's fine. If thats what works for you and your snake, great! You know your animal will eat and what its stress limits are.

The snake in question is new and clearly not eating for a reason. That reason probably being stress. Whether its stress from poor husbandry or over stimulation or whatever. Moving it back and forth or even just short handling sessions are not helping this animal settle down to eat.

Most people here will tell newbies not to feed in a separate enclosure. Its not a rule set in stone, but guidelines to help new keepers care for their animals with the best efficiency and results. Once they become more experienced and learn about their animal, they can tweak their care methods to what works best for them and their animals. Just like how you know your snake can feel comfortable and is an aggressive eater to feed in a separate enclosure.

I personally have a few BPs that can probably feed in a separate enclosure with no issue. But I also have some that wouldn't dare look at a feeder if it wasn't in its own tub. In the end. I just feed everybody in their own enclosure because I know the limits of my snakes and what they can and can't handle. And I know my snakes generally have a stronger feed response in their own comfortable space. Why stress them out unnecessarily?

And since the OP's snake is new and not established yet, its probably the better course of action to feed in its own enclosure for the time being. Maybe once the snake becomes a strong constant feeder, the OP can choose if they want to feed in another enclosure or not.

I'm not disagreeing with you. Only that I don't think its appropriate for the OPs particular snake at this current time.

OP: can you describe your set up? Leave your snake alone for a week to settle down. It needs time to adjust to its new home

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Yes I understand your point, and a stressed BP needs to be relaxed first. Im starting to think about feeding in their enclosures also myself due to so many and time wise it will be easier for me. I was just saying that even my new additions I have feed the next day after arrival and had no problems. Just lucky!!!!! I do agree though, less stress you can put on the baby the better!

[NYHC4LIFE8899]

I attempted to feed the night i got her, because the pet store lady tried to feed her at the store before i got her. the mouse was refused and is now a pet of a friend...i thawed out the mouse in the fridge over night then put it under the heating light for a few minutes before attempting to feed. I understand she probably had live mice before, but i need to take steps to convert her to frozen/thawed and i am willing to be patient.



okay, thanks! thats how i thawed this mouse out as well. Did you take your snake out of the enclosure to feed to just leave it in? And is there any way to make sure the snake knows the mouse is there? I know this will sound stupid, but my girl just climbed around the sides of her tank and did not even acknowledge the mouse at all

no,I feed mine in the enclosure. I been advised by a few friends to do so. I have tongs so I hold the f/t mouse by the tail and move it around,he smells it and grabs it within sconds. I think since the stress easy moving them constantly to feed them will only put more stress on them,plus after he eats I do t wanna bother him and pick him up. I have handled him many times and never ever strikes at me,he's actually quiet timid and very nice. After it's thawed,I put the mouse on top the screen and open the ziplock so he can smell it and once he gets a whiff,he's out and his tongues going. He knows it's feeding time.

im100% new a this!I just gt my firs snake3 weeks ago.What works for me is what I'm telling u...hope it helps

[Eazyyyb]

Wow, thanks everyone! So this is what ill do, I'll get a new hide and ditch the half log, and I won't handle her all week and ill attempt feeding again this weekend with a live mouse