New ball python owner

[Ashleibby613]

I purchased my first ball python about 3 weeks ago from Petco. They said that it was a baby ball but I spoke with the reptile associate and she said he is probably close to a year. They were feeding it f/t hopper mice every week. Now I've had it for almost 3 weeks and I can't get it to eat. The temp throughout the enclosure is high 70s with a hallowed out log that he sits on top of and the temperature on top of that is high 80s. The humidity is between 50 and 60 all day. I not handle him for at least 24 hours before I feed him. I have tried to feed him at night and in complete darkness and it didn't work. I don't have a scale at home so that I can take his weight so I don't know if he has lost any weight but I'm worried. Can someone give me any pointers?

[DennisM]

Give this a read

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-Hatchling-101

[Ashleibby613]

Okay I will give this a try! I tried to give him the exact same set up he had at the pet store but I have been handling him quite a bit except for on days I plan to feed him. So I'll try leaving him alone for a week and seeing if that helps.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I tried to give him the exact same set up he had at the pet store

How are you regulating your under tank heater? I assume you are using one from this statement in your post...

[Ashleibby613]

I don't have an under tank heater. He had an overhead light heat source at the pet store. Should the tank have an under tank heater?

[PitOnTheProwl]

I don't have an under tank heater. He had an overhead light heat source at the pet store. Should the tank have an under tank heater?

You don't need a UTH but Petcos reptiles racks do have them and use them.
You shouldn't handle it at all until you get it feeding regular.

[Ashleibby613]

Oh okay the lady told me it was overhead thats why I went with overhead. Would it be better to have uth? Also I've been looking around online for tips and I've tried almost everything; most places state that you should try live rodents after a certain time. Would you suggest getting a live rodent?

[PitOnTheProwl]

Most chain pet store employees are for the lack of a better term, ignorant........
If you want to feed f/t then keep with that BUT you need a scale to monitor weight.
I personally only feed live and when I sell my snakes I let the buyer know that even though I also sell f/t I DO NOT feed f/t.
I you do decide to feed live you are probably going to start with a live hopper mouse.

[Ashleibby613]

Okay thank you so much! I'll try leaving him alone for a week then feeding him again to see if that helps.