To force feed or not...

[RoyalGuardian]

So my baby ball python Calypso has refused to eat several times.. She doesn't exactly refuse... its more like she gets frightened and high tails it out of there. I have tried everything except force feeding and I'm sorta stressed about it. Its been about 12- 13 days since I got her. She looks alittle thin too and her poo isn't solid. if I could just get her to eat mabye she would bounce back.. I dunno. If force feeding is the option you would say to try How would I go about doing it. She is really sweet and shy and I am worried about her not trusting me anymore. Please help.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Since you only have had her for 12-13 days I would assume she refused twice, if she refused more than that you are probably offering food to often which stresses her and lead to more refusal

Force feeding should only be done as a last resort.

Put your BP in a 6 or 15 quarts tub if you have not already done so with one or two 6 inches plastic flower pot saucer for hides, provide proper temps and humidity and do not handle your BP.

After 7 days try to offer a live prey.

[RoyalGuardian]

Since you only have had her for 12-13 days I would assume she refused twice, if she refused more than that you are probably offering food to often which stresses her and lead to more refusal

Force feeding should only be done as a last resort.

Put your BP in a 6 or 15 quarts tub if you have not already done so with one or two 6 inches plastic flower pot saucer for hides, provide proper temps and humidity and do not handle your BP.

After 7 days try to offer a live prey.

... I have tried the smaller container and she does nothing but try to escape.....

[xanaxez]

i agree with deb. try housing it differently and leave it alone for a few days to let it calm down due to possibly being stressed a bit and i would only try to force feed if that is the last option that is available. (off topic) deb i love the scammer hunter title you have there. lol

[xanaxez]

have you tried both live and f/t ?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

... I have tried the smaller container and she does nothing but try to escape.....

You need to provide a small tight enclosure where your BP will feel secure and you need to let her adjust in it, no constant staring, no handling, just make sure the enclosure is secured and leave her alone.

Trust me on this the majority of new owners having BP with feeding issues, do so because of their husbandry!

[RoyalGuardian]

I care for her the way I do all my pets. Not for my sake but for there sake and when I say I have tried everything. I mean it. I will keep letting her alone for another week and see how that goes. I may have only had ball pythons for a year and 10 months but I guarentee that my babies have the best care you could ever imagine. Its not husbandry related. Her temps and humidity are stable and perfect and soon she and Ki will be getting new enclosures so I have to get her to eat as soon as possible( when she is ready of course). I'm not stupid guys.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I care for her the way I do all my pets. Not for my sake but for there sake and when I say I have tried everything. I mean it. I will keep letting her alone for another week and see how that goes. I may have only had ball pythons for a year and 10 months but I guarentee that my babies have the best care you could ever imagine. Its not husbandry related. Her temps and humidity are stable and perfect and soon she and Ki will be getting new enclosures so I have to get her to eat as soon as possible( when she is ready of course). I'm not stupid guys.

Not sure why you are being SO defensive no one said you did not properly care for your animals and no one called you stupid.

Now you said you tried everything? Is she currently house in a 6 quart tubs or 15 at the most with one or two 6 inches plastic flower pot saucers?

If not try that and if it still does not work after that there are other thing to try before force feeding.

[Somed00d]

You mentioned it has pooped for you. this makes me believe this snake has eaten recently. DO NOT FORCE FEED IT!

[dmaricle]

i know if you go to the 8 ball site adam has posted some feeding tips that might help.