New BP not eating? Is that normal?

[DPlant]

Hey guys. Update:
I just tried feeding the BP a warm F/T mouse but it didn't strike it again so I'm leaving it overnight. However, I am now starting to wonder if the BP is not eating because it's winter and the temps are lower? I've heard that ball pythons usually fast during winter and I'm wondering if this is the case.

[DPlant]

Here's a pic of the enclosure. (water dish has some aspen in it because some fell in) (heating mat is on right side of the tank (below the right hide, set at 91 degrees) (also the BP is under the right hide right now, with the mouse that i left right outside)

[Zincubus]

Here's a pic of the enclosure. (water dish has some aspen in it because some fell in) (heating mat is on right side of the tank (below the right hide, set at 91 degrees) (also the BP is under the right hide right now, with the mouse that i left right outside)

First off I'm presuming that the heat source is regulated by a thermostat...


Soooo .. out of interest that stick on thermometer/hygrometer is gonna give you wildly inaccurate humidity readings and will only give you very approximate air temps !! Sorry but they're basically just useless .

I'm wondering if it's just too warm in there tbh ...

Apologies I haven't read all through the thread - just seen the thread title and saw that photo ( I'm ill with the FLU ) ..

What's that black wire down the right side ( in the viv) attached to ??

Is it a heat mat or a thermostat probe or a thermometer or what ?

Hopefully you also have a digital thermometer with a probe or a digital temp gun to check those crucial SURFACE temps .
Visually ..... there's far too much OPEN space to make a Royal / Ball python feel safe and secure ..
I'd get some branches and bark pieces from any local parks or woods .... plus buy some cheap , fake plastic/ silk plants and foliage .
Charity shops or Pound/Dollar stores have them .

I'd get everything sorted out in the viv ... then leave the snake totally alone for ten days then ask us again for feeding tips ...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[DPlant]

First off I'm presuming that the heat source is regulated by a thermostat...


Soooo .. out of interest that stick on thermometer/hygrometer is gonna give you wildly inaccurate humidity readings and will only give you very approximate air temps !! Sorry but they're basically just useless .

I'm wondering if it's just too warm in there tbh ...

Apologies I haven't read all through the thread - just seen the thread title and saw that photo ( I'm ill with the FLU ) ..

What's that black wire down the right side ( in the viv) attached to ??

Is it a heat mat or a thermostat probe or a thermometer or what ?

Hopefully you also have a digital thermometer with a probe or a digital temp gun to check those crucial SURFACE temps .
Visually ..... there's far too much OPEN space to make a Royal / Ball python feel safe and secure ..
I'd get some branches and bark pieces from any local parks or woods .... plus buy some cheap , fake plastic/ silk plants and foliage .
Charity shops or Pound/Dollar stores have them .

I'd get everything sorted out in the viv ... then leave the snake totally alone for ten days then ask us again for feeding tips ...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The black wire is connected to the thermostat probe, which is placed on the glass where the UTH is under (it's outside the tank btw). Thanks for the info about the analog hydro/thermometer. I'll be sure to return it and get a digital one. I will also get some branches outside in the morning. However, is it normal for ball pythons to not eat during the winter? Thanks for your help!

[Zincubus]

The black wire is connected to the thermostat probe, which is placed on the glass where the UTH is under (it's outside the tank btw). Thanks for the info about the analog hydro/thermometer. I'll be sure to return it and get a digital one. I will also get some branches outside in the morning. However, is it normal for ball pythons to not eat during the winter? Thanks for your help!

Mine eat all through the year ...

It's worth bearing in mind that the thermostat setting / reading is only a guide ... the actual heat under the warm hide could be dangerously high , sadly ..

Put your hand under the warm hide , flat on the floor ... leave it for a few seconds ... does it feel quite warm or barely warm ??


You need to know the surface temps at the warmest places

A cheap digital thermometer with a wired probe is vital to take the surface temps



Try and get a digital temp gun off eBay or Amazon or wherever- they're ten dollars roughly ..

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Crowfingers]

Fasting in the winter is normal for older ball pythons. The ones petsmart sells are often hatchlings or just past hatchlings. Mine didn't start to fast until his 2nd winter - he was 700g around then. Younger snakes don't have the reserves to go months without food. I'd HIGHLY recommend getting a temp gun (they are like $15 on amazon) and at least three digital thermometers - one for inside each hide and one for the mid-tank "ambient" temp. Make sure the probes are at snake level - measuring a few inches above the substrate does nothing for knowing what temps the snake is at. Also get a digital hygrometer - it's the only way to be accurate.

My guess is the snake is either too cold (ambient temps too low) or the surface inside the hot hide is too hot - possibly a combination of both. If you are going to go with a cage as small as a 10 gal to start with, you may as well switch to a tub. It's easier to heat / maintain humidity, and darker for less stress. Since your husbandry is already off a little, I'd not try and switch to a bigger tank until you can maintain a smaller one.

A UTH pad will do nothing for ambient temps, but in such a small area adding a heat lamp / CHE could easily over-heat the tank. You will have to start with a low wattage bulb - CHE is what I'd recommend but you will have to work to keep humidity up in a tank with aspen bedding - and this heat source would have to have its own thermostat or at least be on an adjustable dimmer. You'll want the ambient tank temps to be above 77*F and below 82* (other members may suggest something a little different)

[Cheesenugget]

Baby bp should not be fasting in winter. Mine is almost a year old and still eating.

Deborah, the first person who responded to you, gave you a solution to your problem. It works. You need to give that a chance if you truly want your bp to start eating.

[Armiyana]

I'd get some branches and bark pieces from any local parks or woods .... plus buy some cheap , fake plastic/ silk plants and foliage .

Make sure to sterilize anything you bring in from outside sources before putting it in with your snake!

For wood and bark: Easiest way is to scrub it really well with soap and water, then drop it on a cooking sheet in the oven for a few hours at 200 degrees. Do Not Leave It Alone. It can still be a fire hazard of left unattended.
Do not cook rocks cause they can explode. You want to soak them in bleach for 24 hours, then rinse them fully before letting them dry completely.

But that will kill off any bugs or bacteria lurking on there.

[DPlant]

Mine eat all through the year ...

It's worth bearing in mind that the thermostat setting / reading is only a guide ... the actual heat under the warm hide could be dangerously high , sadly ..

Put your hand under the warm hide , flat on the floor ... leave it for a few seconds ... does it feel quite warm or barely warm ??


You need to know the surface temps at the warmest places

A cheap digital thermometer with a wired probe is vital to take the surface temps



Try and get a digital temp gun off eBay or Amazon or wherever- they're ten dollars roughly ..

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I touched the heating pad and it's only a little warm (nothing near burning). I will go find a digital hydro/thermometer today and a heat gun. Thanks for your help!

[DPlant]

Baby bp should not be fasting in winter. Mine is almost a year old and still eating.

Deborah, the first person who responded to you, gave you a solution to your problem. It works. You need to give that a chance if you truly want your bp to start eating.

If I were to switch to a smaller plastic tub like Deborah suggested, wouldn't be dangerous to put the UTH under it because it might melt plastic?