On April 12, we purchased a pastel BP at a club show. It was one of those spontaneous things. I've read everything I can lay hands on and now we're stumped.


1. How long have you had your ball python?

Just over one week.




2. How old (or how big) is your snake?


- He's between 2 & 3 years old. 3' long and 720g.


3. Does it eat on a regular schedule?

- The prior owner said he was fed about every other week.


4. How long since its last meal?

- Last meal was on March 30.


5. What type/size prey is being offered?

- Small rat, no larger than the snake's diameter.


6. How often do you offer food?


- We tried about 4 days after getting him home and settled. No luck.


7. What type and size of enclosure does it live in?


- 24" x 13" x 15" plastic tote will holes drilled around the sides for ventilation. The top has those clamp-on catches.


8. What are you using as substrate? If it has depth, how deep is it?


- A layer of newspaper covered with about 1" of aspen shred.


9. What type of heating do you use?


- Heating tape (not certain that that's what it's called).


10. Do you use a thermostat to control temperatures?


- Yes.


11. What do you use to measure/monitor temperatures?


- A digital thermometer with a probe.


12. What are the surface and ambient temperatures in the enclosure?


- Under his hide, it's about 91°F; ambient temp is closer to 75°F - 80°F.


13. What is the average humidity level?


- 80% - 100% (the sides of the enclosure have condensation.


14. How many and what type of hides does the snake have?


- 2 hides. 1 is plain black plastic and the other is rough and looks like natural rock but is some sort of heavy plastic.


15. Is water readily available at all times?


- Yes.


16. Does the snake live alone or does it share the enclosure with anything else?


- Alone


17. How often and for how long is the snake typically handled?


- Not too often since we just got him. Perhaps every 3rd day.


18. Does the snake have any medical history (old injuries or illnesses)?


- Not that we're aware of. Just after changing his environment to the shred and the new hide, he shed completely in 2 large, gorgeous pieces.


19. Do you have any other reptiles? Have you brought in any new reptiles recently?


- No and no.


20. Is there anything specific or unique about your situation that we should be aware of?

- Since it's been 2 days since his shed, and 3 weeks since he last ate, we thought we'd once again try to feed him. He strikes at the rat, but isn't coiling or eating it. I really don't want a pet rat! He bit me during the first attempt at feeding, which I now attribute to poor eyesight due to the impending shed. Also, I removed the hide before dangling the live rat (the previous owner only fed live, and I'd love some straightforward advice about switching to frozen/thawed, and yes I've read the forums) so the rat wouldn't just hide in the hide! Now Haku (the snake) is puffing up and hissing at me when I look in on him and he's just coiled on one side of the enclosure while the rat has a grooming session on the other.

I can't keep buying rats and releasing them into the wild. LOL I'm concerned that our guy isn't eating because I'm doing something wrong. His shed was gorgeous, he's gorgeous, but I was told he can be a bit on the shy side. I'd like to have a good relationship with him and I certainly don't want him to go hungry.

Sorry this is so long! I've read forums and websites until my eyes are crossed and I'm just stumped as to what to do. Do I remove the rat yet again? Wait a day? Kill the rat and let it sit there in the enclosure for a couple of hours? Kill the rat and freeze it? Beg? Sacrifice a goat?