Trouble getting my BP to eat

[Emsbuff124]

Recently I acquired a 1.5 year old ball python from my friend that I've named Brembo
sadly I'm having a lot of trouble getting him to eat and it's upsetting me and making me frustrated at the same time.
My buddy said he use to feed live and frozen to him.
i got him to eat a live Mose on his own will three weeks ago
Week and half ago I offered him another live Mose and he wants nothing to do with it any time he gets i. Striking distance he becomes head shy and moves away from the prey.
ive removed the Mose and placed it in a separate tank and tried several times at different times Ie morning afternoon and night to try to get brembo to eat and no luck
he hasn't pooped since the last feeding I've have been soaking him in water routinely
he has been drinking
also he seems to stay balled up all the time and hasn't really moved about
im keeping him in a plastic tub approx 2 feet long by 6 inches wide
he is aprox 2.5 feet
i use and under the tank heater
Johnson control thermostat
hot side 92
cool side 74
humidity 61
the under the tank heater sits right in the center of the hot side and I was think of getting a second one to keep on the hot side.
I feel guilty that he has eaten and trying to solve the mystery to keep him happy and healthy for many years to come
thanks for the help
eddie

[989josh]

Could he be going into shed ?


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[Emsbuff124]

I thought that two but his eye caps are still a very very dark black
got me very puzzled and worried

[wideglide]

How long have you had him? Wait at least a week before trying to feed him. If he dorsn't eat, don't keep trying to feed him it's only going to prolong the problem. Give him a minimum of a week between attempts to feed him. He's stressed and needs to chill out for a while. Feeding issues with BP's take a good deal of patience. My first one didn't eat for two months when I first got him. Then when winter came around he stopped eating again for 4 months. This is normal. As long as he isn't getting thin he's probably fine. Good luck!

Rob

Rob

[Emsbuff124]

Rob
thanks for the insight I've had him a little over a month now
he seems pretty fat and healthy no crust or signs of a respiratory infection
should I try a different mouse to get him to feed in a week?

[wideglide]

I would wait a couple of weeks then try a frozen thawed rat pup. Then try again a couple weeks after that if he still wont eat. Keep trying and as long as he's not losing weight he's probably fine and just not in the mood to eat yet.

Rob

[kir.davis]

What is considered unhealthy weight loss because I am in the same boat. I got my snake a month ago and I cannot get her to eat yet. She has lost weight but everyone says not t worry unless it is considerable weight loss. What's "considerable?"

[Connor123star]

You should also check him for mites I had the same problem and my little guy had mites I treated him and he ate right away after


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[Emsbuff124]

How would you no if they have mites?
Land olive oil is the treatment correct?
also curious about weight lose too what be considered excessive

[kir.davis]

How would you no if they have mites?
Land olive oil is the treatment correct?
also curious about weight lose too what be considered excessive

I have never had to treat for mites but based on what I understand, you can usually see the mites. You can usually see black specks all over the snake and some will move, or you can see it in the bedding or water dish. Another clear indicator is that your snake sits in it's water bowl a lot because it is trying to drown the mites. To treat it, a lot of people recommend Provent-a-mite by pro products. It is an aerosol that you spray on the bedding and you let it dry before putting your snake back in.

Here is a video that shows how to treat a lot of snake illnesses. Based on my research, these are commonly used treatments. Just copy the url into your browser.

http://youtu.be/pJCnPfuqaBM