Another "my ball python isn't eating" thread. Sorry.

[SpaceJellyfish]

Hello! Sorry for another one of these, I'm sure you get tired of seeing them. I'm just really stressed. I've had Zedd for about a month now and he as only eaten for me once (12/15/16). He is a 2 month old, almost 3 month old ball python and only weighs ~90g. I tried f/t for his first meal and he accepted it perfectly. After 5 days I tried again but he didn't seem interested. I left it in the cage overnight and he didn't take it. So now it has been around 3 weeks since he last ate and I'm really worried about him. I've offered around every 3-4 days (which might have been too often :/ ) Live rats are hard to find in my area but I know how to get mice the correct size. Because he already ate f/t I didn't want to rush into getting mice because I am worried about the future problems with switching back to rats. He has been losing weight which is why I'm so concerned.
Should I try mice and take him to the vet if he doesn't accept?
I don't handle him besides cleaning and occasionally weighing. I just want to get him established eating with me.

My hot spot is 90-88 degrees and the cold side is 77-75 degrees. The humidity is usually between 50-60%

Sorry again, I'm just extremely worried for my little guy.

[keebs]

I would double-check your temps again and if they really are 88-90, bump it up to like 92 or so. If he really insists on being stubborn you can always try p/k mice instead of live. I bought a little baby from the IL NARBC back in october of this year and she didn't start taking meals from me consistently until late december, and she was fine, if a little skinny. She is however, a mouser. right now the priority is to get him eating, not worrying about what it is that he's eating. best of luck.

[redshepherd]

You might want to post pictures of your setup?

Have you seen this thread yet? It's best to just follow the steps here and get your dude eating soon. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

[SpaceJellyfish]

I'll attach pictures as soon as I can. If I switched him to a tub set up to get him to eat, wouldn't I have to wait for him to get adjusted before i feed him? It has been so long since he ate I'm worried about the settling time. Especially because it might take a few days to get all the things needed for the tub.

[keebs]

Probably, but it's better than potentially having him go even longer without eating. Just transfer in his old substrate and hides and water dish and set it up the way the guide shows, wait a week or two, and then try again.

unless he's skin and bones already another few weeks won't kill him.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

[redshepherd]

I'll attach pictures as soon as I can. If I switched him to a tub set up to get him to eat, wouldn't I have to wait for him to get adjusted before i feed him? It has been so long since he ate I'm worried about the settling time. Especially because it might take a few days to get all the things needed for the tub.

It really doesn't take them extra time to "adjust" to a tub setup, because it's just inherently a proper setup for young ball pythons. If you get him set up, plop him in, wait a few days and see how he does with eating. You have to wait a few days anyway between offering even with your current setup, so it makes no difference.

Now, if he still doesn't take food, you'll know the problem is most likely that he's stuck on live prey, and not a husbandry reason.

Also, how are you preparing and offering his food?

[SpaceJellyfish]

I thaw it overnight in the fridge and then heat it with warm water. Right before I offer I put the bag into some hot water to raise it a bit more.

I'm gathering the things for a tub set up. What kind of UTH is used for a 6 qt? Like, size wise?

[keebs]

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Spotted-...otted+heat+mat

that should do just fine, just don't stick the entire thing under the tub.

[redshepherd]

I'm sure you can use your current UTH, but just have the tub cover half of it/whatever is about 30~40% of the tub.

I like to get the ultratherm UTH on reptilebasics, because they don't stick.