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  1. #1
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    New baby ball will not eat!

    I got my new baby female ball python on thursday the 18th of dec it is now dec 30th and she still will not eat The store that I bought her from told me that they are fed every week, but I have tried three times to feed her and she is not interrested.
    The first time I tried a fuzzy mouse
    The second and third has been a pinkie
    I am getting worried! Please help

  2. #2
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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    She's probably still getting used to her new home - what size/ age is she?

    Check temps and setup, inc viv size, hides etc are all good (have a look at the caresheet on here and double check everything)
    Double check with the pet shop - tell them she's not eating and see what they suggest post their advice on here before taking it though as pet shops are not always very knowledgeable)
    Don't handle her - let her get used to her new home - only go into the viv to change her water, check temps and spot clean
    Offer her food in a week or 2 but don't be tempted to offer her food more often as that will stress her out....
    Don't worry - I'm sure she'll start feeding again soon.

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    Reevie (12-30-2008)

  4. #3
    BPnet Veteran hawaiianice99's Avatar
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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    pick a day of the week to feed and feed on that day, offering food everyday to your snake could be leading to stressing it out. so if it doesnt eat on that day try the next week. also try not to handle for at least a week, offer food and thats it until it starts to eat.

    dont worry bps are known to go off feed for months at a time.

    are you trying to feed live or thawed? if thawed then try a live, sometimes this jumpstarts the hunting instinct. also if you are feeding thawed try and move the food across the floor in front of the snake to imitate a live prey, tongs recommended.

    and dont listen to petstores, they may say it ate every week but in reality it could have been weeks since its last meal. i have friends that work at petstore and they say sometimes they dont feed the baby bps because they sell fast.

    there are other methods to try and get your baby to eat.
    >braining, cut the head of the food open to expose the brain.
    >scenting, get some substrate from a lizard or gecko enclosure and rub that on the food.
    >chicken broth, dip the head of the food in some chicken broth.
    ~MIKE~


    You:How many snakes do you have?
    Me: Oh, just a room full.
    You:Eh, how many?
    Me:A ROOM FULL.

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    Reevie (12-30-2008)

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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    she is 2 months old and 1 1/2 ft long
    she is in a temporary tank right now but will be in her proper set up on jan 5th as soon as I move to my new place. So hopefully she will be happier after the move.

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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    Are the temps etc as they should be in her temp setup?

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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    her temp is at around 80.
    she is very active.

  9. #7
    BPnet Veteran hawaiianice99's Avatar
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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    you need to bump that temp up to around 90 and you should have your humidity around 50.
    ~MIKE~


    You:How many snakes do you have?
    Me: Oh, just a room full.
    You:Eh, how many?
    Me:A ROOM FULL.

  10. #8
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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    how do I get humidity into the tank?

  11. #9
    BPnet Veteran hawaiianice99's Avatar
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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    there will already be humidity in the tank but you will need to get a digital temp/humidity gauge($6-12 at walmart). an easy way to up the levels is to put a larger water bowl or spray down the substrate with a spray bottle.

    ***if you go to the top left of the homepage there is a link to the caresheets and that will help you out alot.
    ~MIKE~


    You:How many snakes do you have?
    Me: Oh, just a room full.
    You:Eh, how many?
    Me:A ROOM FULL.

  12. #10
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    Re: New baby ball will not eat!

    She should have a temp gradient throughout the tank - the caresheet (http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59) says:

    ~80F (ambient temps)
    ~90F (basking temps)
    75 or below is unhealthy
    Night drops in temps are not necessary or desired
    HUMIDITY: 50%-60%

    Ideally you need a digital thermometer to measure air (ambient) temps and a temp gun to measure surface (ie basking) temps. What heat sources are you using to heat and what size and type of tank do you have her in?

    Care sheet also lists other reasons why she might not be eating (and some tips for feeding) so have a read if you haven't already.

    Is she active day or night time? Generally they're nocturnal snakes and day time activity can indicate that she's stressed or not settled yet....

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    dr del (01-02-2009)

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