New ball python just strikes at food and everything else

[HeatherB]

Hi,
My new ball python won't eat. I've tried a "pinkie" mouse, a "pinkie" rat, a small mouse and a small rat and all it does is get hissy, strikes at it, then starts striking repeatedly at his own reflection. Any ideas?
Someone suggested force feeding, but being new to having a snake as a pet, that is something I am afraid to do.

[lord jackel]

First thing is slow way down - you are pry stressing as much as he is.


If you have tried 4 different food types then you are pry just scaring him to death.

Lets start from the beginning:
What is your setup like? (warm side and cool side temps, humidity, #hides, cage, tank or tub?)
How long have you had him?

Oh by the way welcome to BP.net

[HeatherB]

It (dunno if it is a he or a she) is in a 10 gallon aquarium, with rock looking hide and a water bowl. I have an undertank heat mat one the side its hide is on and am using shredded newspaper as substrate.
I got her two weeks ago from an exotic pet store here in the Houston area. Didn't know about humidity.
What can I do, I don't want the poor thing to starve.

[lord jackel]

OK...first thing we need to do is get your cage setup correctly.


Here is a care sheet with some guidelines
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

You need to get purchase a thermometer and hydrogmeter (sp). Walmart carries one called Accurite which is a temp and humidity checker all in one for like $14.

Once you get this you can make sure you are providing enought heat and humidity. (these are essential they are a much bigger concern than the not eating)

Ball Pythons have very slow metabolisms and can go for months without food so don't worry about starvation at this point...in fact don't try feeding him/her again till you the temps/humidity fixed.

And don't worry it will be fine...we are here to help.

[Broseph]

when i got my second bp, i let her settle in for a good week and a half and feed her after her secod week with me, they need time to get use to their new surroundings. two weeks without eating isnt bad. have you been handleing it at all since you got it? do you use a t-stat? what kind of thermometer do use use? and does it measure the humidity too? if not get the accurite thermometer it measures both and its only 12-15 bucks..

It (dunno if it is a he or a she) is in a 10 gallon aquarium, with rock looking hide and a water bowl. I have an undertank heat mat one the side its hide is on and am using shredded newspaper as substrate.
I got her two weeks ago from an exotic pet store here in the Houston area. Didn't know about humidity.
What can I do, I don't want the poor thing to starve.

[Broseph]

beat me to it. diffenetly read the care sheets you have alot of info for you in there..

OK...first thing we need to do is get your cage setup correctly.


Here is a care sheet with some guidelines
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

You need to get purchase a thermometer and hydrogmeter (sp). Walmart carries one called Accurite which is a temp and humidity checker all in one for like $14.

Once you get this you can make sure you are providing enought heat and humidity. (these are essential they are a much bigger concern than the not eating)

Ball Pythons have very slow metabolisms and can go for months without food so don't worry about starvation at this point...in fact don't try feeding him/her again till you the temps/humidity fixed.

And don't worry it will be fine...we are here to help.

[lord jackel]

beat me to it. diffenetly read the care sheets you have alot of info for you in there..

Joe...I guess I just type too fast for ya...LOL

[Broseph]

sure i hope you feel good that you can type faster then a 2 finger typist..lol

Joe...I guess I just type too fast for ya...LOL

[HeatherB]

I hardly handle her/him because he strikes and wants to grab onto everything. When I go to put in clean water I wear work gloves because I don't want him to bite me.
I will be going to Wal-Mart later tonight to get a thermometer thing. How much humidity should he/she have? Also I have these questions:

Rats or mice? Can the snake tell the difference?
How can I tell if it is a boy or girl?
Why does he strike at everything? I mean he likes to just sit there and strike at the glass for no reason whatsoever.
It's it okay to put fake plants in the enclosure with him/her?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

[Sausage]

Ok, I answered these in order:

Humidity should be somewhere in the 50-60% and can be upped to 70% during a shed.

Some snakes perfer mice, others like rats. Whichever it takes you should keep feeding.

You can have it popped or probed by a vet or breeder. DO NOT try this without experience or you may hurt the snake!

He's probably stressed and maybe hungry.

Sure, fake plants are fine.

Welcome to BP.net!