Feeding Issues for 3 months

[blackcrystal22]

Usually roaming (and escaping) is the animal looking for a way out, and into a "nicer" home. For ball pythons, this usually means a more cramped space. I would use some type of aspen or carefresh bedding in the bottom of his cage to give him the option of burrowing. In addition, cover the sides like suggested (heck, why not cover all four for now?) and stuff newspaper all over.

I think everyone is right that he is stressed and insecure. Make those changes to the tank/tub/whatever, and leave him be for at least a week. (2 weeks is probably better). I would try to find another heating source - one that doesn't give off light. I'm sure he is craving a small, dark, space. Not a zombie mouse dancing in his face.

Also, has he defecated at all in the time that you've had him? If not, perhaps his system is "backed up" ? That would warrant a trip to the vet.

He has. He's defecated both white/yellow stuff and recently brown smelly feces. Which confused me, because I thought brown feces came after eating a meal.
I like your plan. I'll dim the light minimally and wrap and stuff his cage. I'll also transfer the heating pad from my corn snakes cage. Her cage is usually fine in temperature anyway and shes a pig when it comes to food.

Will a heating pad be enough though? Those things usually aren't that strong..

What about a blacklight?

[blackcrystal22]

He has. He's defecated both white/yellow stuff and recently brown smelly feces. Which confused me, because I thought brown feces came after eating a meal.
I like your plan. I'll dim the light minimally and wrap and stuff his cage. I'll also transfer the heating pad from my corn snakes cage. Her cage is usually fine in temperature anyway and shes a pig when it comes to food.

Will a heating pad be enough though? Those things usually aren't that strong..

What about a blacklight?

Ok, I posted after your post, Becky. I may try getting the smaller tub set for him to get him to eat.
What is your opinion on the newspaper in his cage though?

[starmom]

Newspaper on the bottom of the cage will allow you to control his temps better and is easier for feedings, etc. Just taking away a potentially problematic variable and replacing it with the tried and true method of paper. Once your snake is all settled in and eating consistently for a while, then you can switch substrate if you choose!

[blackcrystal22]

Newspaper on the bottom of the cage will allow you to control his temps better and is easier for feedings, etc. Just taking away a potentially problematic variable and replacing it with the tried and true method of paper. Once your snake is all settled in and eating consistently for a while, then you can switch substrate if you choose!

Do you mean on the bottom of my 20gal?
I already use organic paper towels for a substrate, which is basically the same as newspaper except easier to tear and a bit easier to clean.

I've been suggested both to switch to a substrate for possible burrowing.. but most breeders suggest normal paper is fine. What should I do here?

[Jenn]

I cover all sides of my 20 long tanks. Even the top (except where the air holes are) and half of the front (cool side). This makes a very nice dark cool side. Most of my snakes don't even use their cool side hides anymore, they just hang out on the cool side or go into the warm side hide.

[Spaniard]

There's been no mention of prescenting the room yet; I think presenting should be incorporated into your routine next time you try to offer something. 20 minute to a half hour might give him enough time to expect a meal instead of being surprised and striking out of defense.

Edit: I just saw Becky mentioned this already in her previous post, sorry.

[SatanicIntention]

Here's what your tub should look like. It's a 6qt tub, one hide, newspaper(or paper towels), water bowl. Get an UTH or a piece of flexwatt(1 ft of either 4" or 11", wired), and get a quality digital thermostat(Johnson or Ranco is fine). You NEED a digital thermometer too that also measures humidity. He cannot stay in that big tank, or he'll never eat. Constant roaming = lots of stress.







Your snake really can't afford to lose much more weight. Your priority right now is getting him in a secure environment where he feels safe, getting his temperatures regulated, and getting him eating.

[blackcrystal22]

Here's what your tub should look like. It's a 6qt tub, one hide, newspaper(or paper towels), water bowl. Get an UTH or a piece of flexwatt(1 ft of either 4" or 11", wired), and get a quality digital thermostat(Johnson or Ranco is fine). You NEED a digital thermometer too that also measures humidity. He cannot stay in that big tank, or he'll never eat. Constant roaming = lots of stress.

Your snake really can't afford to lose much more weight. Your priority right now is getting him in a secure environment where he feels safe, getting his temperatures regulated, and getting him eating.

The flexwatt won't hurt the container at all? Should I put it under half of the hide area?

Alright, For his size should he have a 6qt or something bigger? He's a bit over a foot in length. I just want to make sure I have all of his accommodation's right.

[SatanicIntention]

No, the 6qt is fine for any animal under 500g(even bigger if the snake decides it doesn't want bigger accomodations). Yours is only around 100g, so definitely will be fine in a 6qt.

The flexwatt will not hurt the tub whatsoever as long as you have a quality thermostat controlling it. www.reptilebasics.com you can get both the thermostat and the flexwatt there. Just be sure to tell Rich to solder it for you(you have to buy the wire for it).

[blackcrystal22]

No, the 6qt is fine for any animal under 500g(even bigger if the snake decides it doesn't want bigger accomodations). Yours is only around 100g, so definitely will be fine in a 6qt.

The flexwatt will not hurt the tub whatsoever as long as you have a quality thermostat controlling it. www.reptilebasics.com you can get both the thermostat and the flexwatt there. Just be sure to tell Rich to solder it for you(you have to buy the wire for it).

So I should get this.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/Ranco-E...d-p-16172.html
And ask him to solder it with this.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/4-Flexw...e-p-16248.html

And I'll be set for the heating then?