Feeding Tips??

[CHTV]

I've been trying to get my ball to eat for the last while now. The breeder got him to feed, but I can't. He feeds on frozen/thawed. I've tried prescenting the room with a live mouse, leaving it in front of his hide, moving it around, he looks at it, but just won't eat it... I can't do live because I cannot get ahold of live baby mice. The snake is about 80grams.

Any tips?

[Nate]

How often are you handling him? what's your set up like? temps? humidity? size of enclosure?

bp's get to be picky eaters when they're stressed. There could be any number of things that trigger the stress.

[CHTV]

How often are you handling him? what's your set up like? temps? humidity? size of enclosure?

bp's get to be picky eaters when they're stressed. There could be any number of things that trigger the stress.

No more than twice a week for 10-15minutes.
Two hides, one on each side, a branch, newspaper (im allegic to any kind of wood), water bowl, and a branch.
Temps are 90 on warm and 82 on cool.
Humity is around 55.
Its a 20gal long.

[Nate]

the set up sounds great.

I think that, *maybe* 20 gal is too big. open space will more than likely lead to a little bit of stress. 80g sounds like a small snake. So, my best advice is to stop handling him until he's a consistent eater. Also, try balling up some news paper and putting it in with him to give him some security.

[CHTV]

Thank You. I will do that.

[Nate]

Keep us updated and good luck

[West Coast Jungle]

Try a real small rat fuzzie or pinkie if you can get one. Live gets their attention

[samtheman07]

also another tip is to:
1. boil a kettle?!!
2. pour the boiling water into a mug
3. Dip the thawed mouse into the boiling water straight away for 1-2 seconds
4. this will raise the dead mouses temp up so the snake can sense it with his/her pits.
5. Dangle the 'warm' mouse in front of the snake
6. the snake should go for it near straight away.

[Aric]

I've tried prescenting the room with a live mouse

I can't do live because I cannot get ahold of live baby mice.

How can you scent a room with a live mouse if you cant get any live ones?


You can also try crumbleing some newspaper up in little balls and placeing that inside his enclosure to make him feel more secure, do that and leave him alone for a few days and then try feeding again.

Good Luck

[Kizerk]

i would try making sure the mouse is warm enough, or you could always try braining it, i've seen it make a difference