Feeding issues

[bcr229]

I'm guessing that like most breeders, the one who sold you your little girl keeps the babies in a hatchling rack. So, your baby is used to being in a six quart tub. The enclosure you have there is way too big and open; that much space will stress out a baby and throw it off food.

If you can't do the six quart tub setup Deb suggested, then you really need to clutter up the one you have to make the baby feel more secure. You can use loosely crumpled newspaper, fake plastic plants, more hides - anything to take up all that open space.

At her size I doubt the breeder had managed to switch her over to f/t feeders yet. So, try a live mouse hopper or a rat pup. I would try the pup first - a hopper will run all over that huge tub! Just leave the live rat pup outside whatever hide your baby is using at that time, close the enclosure or put it back in the rack, and walk away for a while.

After she's taken a few live rat pups you can switch to f/t.

[thehonestpirate]

Okay. Thanks for the advice. Ill clutter the tub uo tomorrow morning and find out if theres anywhere around here that I can get live rat pups

[Zincubus]

Okay. Thanks for the advice. Ill clutter the tub uo tomorrow morning and find out if theres anywhere around here that I can get live rat pups

As for clutter , are there any woods or forests near you ?
I collect small branches ( ideally covered in moss ) also if you see any pieces of bark peeling off tree branches or on the ground ... They are great as they curl up into tube like dens as they dry out ... I even throw in a few small leaves as they look great even when they dry out ..

[SnakeBalls]

Make sure to disinfect!!! NO bark either, carries bugs

[calmolly1]

Get her eating live first. Hoppy mice are a perfect size. Once she's gotten a good feed drive try ft again. But accept some BPs just won't eat ft. I have 6...and only one refuses to be switched. And agree with smaller tub...I remember mentioning this to a newbie before and getting slapped down hard, but whatever. It has worked for me with the babies I've gotten from breeders who use racks (most of them)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zincubus]

Make sure to disinfect!!! NO bark either, carries bugs

Seriously .... How do they go on in the wild by the way ...

[DVirginiana]

Seriously .... How do they go on in the wild by the way ...

In the wild they have parasites and bugs. Disinfecting anything you get from outside by either baking or freezing is common practice. Also, you're not just protecting your animals, you're protecting your house from bugs you probably don't want brought in.

[SnakeBalls]

Or a nice rash of mold in your tank

[Zincubus]

In the wild they have parasites and bugs. Disinfecting anything you get from outside by either baking or freezing is common practice. Also, you're not just protecting your animals, you're protecting your house from bugs you probably don't want brought in.

I'm in the UK - what kind of bugs are you referring to ...

[PitOnTheProwl]

Seriously .... How do they go on in the wild by the way ...

They are NOT in the wild anymore. As a keeper you should be concerned with giving them a better life than the ball pythons would have in the wild.