Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Ball Python Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Ball Python Forum

Jwsurfergirl   LadyOhh   Jwsurfergirl   LadyOhh   Jwsurfergirl   GA_Ball_Pythons   LadyOhh   Rabernet   Jwsurfergirl   Rabernet   Jwsurfergirl   Jwsurfergirl   Rabernet   Rabernet   Jwsurfergirl   LadyOhh   Rabernet   Jwsurfergirl   Jwsurfergirl   Momofsix   Jwsurfergirl   WorkoutMachine   Rabernet   Rabernet  
 Member  Message

 #1828819


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile





 Can you help they wont eat

How long have you had your snake for? 2 weeks
How old is your BP? 1.2 they are a year old
How big is your BP (weight)? 1.0 274g / 0.1#1(Ivy) 418g/0.1#2(Meredith) 392g
What type of enclosure do you use? 34 qt sterilite tub
How big is your enclosure? 22"X16"x6"
Is your enclosure in a low traffic area? yes
What are your temps (cool & warm side)? 81.5/91.3
What is your humidity? 55%
What type of thermometer/hygrometer do you use (dial,stick,or digital)? digital them&hydrom/temp gun
What kind of hides do you provide (log, homemade, cubbyholes etc) and how many do you have? 1 each..homemade plastic square box w/half moon cut-out off centered..they dont use them..they crawl under the newsprint so we removed them..the person we bought them from never used hides with them
Are your hides tight (all side touching your BP’s body) and identical? yes..but we took out and they hide under the top layer of newsprint very snuggly
What have you attempted to feed (Rat, Mice, size live, f/t)? 1.0 refused f/t sm mouse last wk but ate live sm mouse but only after leaving it in cage--wouldnt take from tongs...............0.1 #1(Ivy) refused f/t sm mouse, refused live sm mouse..............0.1 #2(Meredith) ate from tongs last weel sm. mouse live, ate f/t sm mouse from tongs this week.
How often do you handle your BP? only to clean their cage...meredith b/c she has eaten without problem we have taken out and handled 3 times so far

The person from whom we aquired the 3 has not had a problem with them eating. Please help



08/12/08  07:46pm

 #1828822


LadyOhh
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1828819


 Can you help they wont eat

Sounds like you may just have to stick with live....



08/12/08  07:52pm

 #1828824


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: LadyOhh   In reference to Message Id: 1828822


 Can you help they wont eat

left live in with the male this week and he didnt eat it or even touch it

Ivy wont eat anything



08/12/08  07:54pm

 #1828832


LadyOhh
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1828824


 Can you help they wont eat

The tubs may be too big as well...

If you can, move them to 15 qt tubs, or shove more stuff into the tubs to make it tighter. Leave them alone for a week without any contact, and try again with live.



08/12/08  08:02pm

 #1828838


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: LadyOhh   In reference to Message Id: 1828832


 Can you help they wont eat

they are in the same size tub they have been in from the breeder.



08/12/08  08:05pm

 #1828841


GA_Ball_Pythons
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1828819


 Can you help they wont eat

Some BP do need a bit more than 1 week to adjust, I had some that took up to a month it really varies from individual to individual.

If you feed them what they were eating previously and keep providing proper husbandry they will eat eventually.

If you try to feed something different from what they were used to, that could be your problem.

If they were used to live keep feeding live until they eat with consistency than try to switch them when they are.

One thing you can try and that has worked for me in the past is loose crumble newspaper in the enclosure

Same thing no handling unless ABSOLUTELY necessary until they are consistent feeder.

I know it is frustrating when they do not eat however as long as you do everything possible, provide optimal husbandry, and your BP are healthy there is not much you can do except waiting.



08/12/08  08:07pm

 #1828842


LadyOhh
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1828838


 Can you help they wont eat

Well then, if you’ve only had them for 2 weeks, you need to still leave them alone and let them adjust to the new surroundings.

Give them at LEAST a week, if not more, of no contact.

Then try again.

If that doesn’t work, keep changing things bit by bit until it works.



08/12/08  08:08pm

 #1828848


Rabernet
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1828819


 Can you help they wont eat

Quote:

WHY WON’T MY SNAKE EAT?
In almost all cases, a ball python refuses to eat due to husbandry issues. Especially a young one. If your snake misses more than one meal (sometimes they won’t want to eat while in shed) please check the following possible causes:

Lack of Security -- No hides, or hides that are too large or exposed (ie: half logs). They prefer dark, tight hides they barely fit into. Also, if the enclosure is too large, or too open (glass) or in a high traffic area with a lot of loud noise or movement. Another snake in the same enclosure can also cause serious security issues.

Over Handling -- Frequent intrusions into the enclosure, changes to the enclosure, and/or long frequent handling sessions can cause a shy snake to feel vulnerable and refuse to eat.

Improper Temps -- Temps that are too high or too low, or temps that fluctuate too much. Make sure you have an accurate and consistent read on your temps.

Improper Lighting -- Bright white lights shining directly into the enclosure, or 24 hour lighting can cause stress. Make sure there is some sort of day/night cycle.

Offering New Prey -- Changing prey species (ie: mice to rats) or methods (ie: live to f/t) can cause refusal. Such changes can be made, but may require patience and persistence.

Improper Offering of Prey -- Offering prey too frequently can do more harm than good. If a snake refuses, do not attempt to feed again for a week. Also, changing environments by moving to a feeding-box or removing hides and "furniture" can cause refusal in these shy snakes.

Prey Too Large -- Too large an item may intimidate a snake and cause refusal, or even a regurgitation if it is eaten. Also, if a ball python has eaten large meals in the past, it can cause a sudden an indefinite period of fasting.

Mites -- An external parasite common to snakes that must be treated and eradicated. A product called Provent-a-Mite (P.A.M.) is the safest and most effective method.

Seasonal -- Sexually mature ball pythons may fast for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months during their mating season (typically anywhere from late fall to early spring) especially if a sexually mature snake of the opposite sex is in close proximity.

Illness -- If all other possible reasons are eliminated, a vet check may be in order to look for internal parasites, as well as possible infections to the skin, scales, mouth or respiratory system.

Fortunately, ball pythons are extremely hardy snakes that can go for months (if necessary) of fasting without suffering any ill effects. This gives a responsible keeper plenty of time to figure out why the snake refuses to eat and get them on a regular, consistent feeding regimen.



08/12/08  08:14pm

 #1828855


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: Rabernet   In reference to Message Id: 1828848


 Can you help they wont eat

Thanks GA and Lady

Rab .. I already have that bookmarked but thanks



08/12/08  08:19pm

 #1829237


Rabernet
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1828855


 Can you help they wont eat

Quote:

Rab .. I already have that bookmarked but thanks



Didn’t realize that. It really is a great checklist to go through and figure out what is causing your new ones not to eat. But I’m a bit biased on the caresheet!



08/13/08  05:50am

 #1829550


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: Rabernet   In reference to Message Id: 1829237


 Can you help they wont eat

No problem I know you were helping and looking out for me and it is appreciated



08/13/08  12:36pm

 #1833007


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1829550


 Can you help they wont eat

Feeding day...tried live mouse, f/t fuzzy mouse, braining f/t sm. mouse/nothing by Chief or Ivy again this week.... what do I do next week?



08/16/08  04:34pm

 #1833101


Rabernet
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1833007


 Can you help they wont eat

You tried all three on both of them in one day? Or that’s a summary of what you’ve tried over time?



08/16/08  06:13pm

 #1833106


Rabernet
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1833007


 Can you help they wont eat

Have you tried filling the enclosure with loosely crumpled newspaper and leaving them alone for a week after doing so? Then drop a live mouse in the enclosure and walk away?

That’s a Kevin McCurley trick and normally works. Don’t remove the paper, just drop the mouse in and check back in an hour - the mouse should be gone.



08/16/08  06:15pm

 #1833160


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: Rabernet   In reference to Message Id: 1833106


 Can you help they wont eat

Quote:

You tried all three on both of them in one day? Or that’s a summary of what you’ve tried over time?



We tried all three on both of them in one day. I will try the crumpled newspaper and try a live mouse next week



08/16/08  07:08pm

 #1833207


LadyOhh
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1833160


 Can you help they wont eat

I would do Robin’s trick. I do it when problems happen... Usually works :)



08/16/08  07:59pm

 #1833341


Rabernet
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1833160


 Can you help they wont eat

Quote:

We tried all three on both of them in one day.



Sometimes offering too often (and three different prey items on the same day can be argued as too often) that can be stressing in itself and cause refusals.

Let us know how it goes next week!



08/16/08  09:50pm

 #1833357


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: Rabernet   In reference to Message Id: 1833341


 Can you help they wont eat

I will keep you all updated next week..thanks!



08/16/08  10:09pm

 #1840442


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1833357


 Can you help they wont eat

Update....... so I tried the crumpled newspaper for a week and left Ivy and Chief alone for another week... today is feeding day...took out their water bowl dropped in a brown mouse (instead of white) for both of them...and BAM BAM! You could hear them both strike!!!!! Yay finally we get them to eat................ Put the water back in..did a smell test..no odor so I think cages are still clean.....closed the lids...leave them alone..... Now What?!?!?!?!

Do I leave the newspaper in there for another week to make sure they eat again or take it out?
Leave them alone or handle them (after the 48 hours of course)? -- Im banking on leaving them alone but I want to know what you all think.

Thanks!!!!



08/23/08  03:51pm

 #1840915


Momofsix
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1840442


 Can you help they wont eat

Quote:

Do I leave the newspaper in there for another week to make sure they eat again or take it out?



I would leave it another week or two and make sure they stay consistent with their feeding.

Quote:

Leave them alone or handle them (after the 48 hours of course)?



Let them be until they eat again just to make sure they are adjusting and don’t stress. Let them get in their routine then have some fun! :)



08/24/08  12:37am

 #1846584


Jwsurfergirl
View Profile



  Message To: Momofsix   In reference to Message Id: 1840915


 Can you help they wont eat

bump



08/29/08  09:50pm

 #1846602


WorkoutMachine
View Profile



  Message To: Jwsurfergirl   In reference to Message Id: 1846584


 Can you help they wont eat

Yea just continue doing what you’re doing with the crumpled newspaper... Feed them a few times until they have a solid feeding response, then maybe take the newspaper out and carry on how you normally would.



08/29/08  10:16pm

 #1846614


Rabernet
View Profile



  Message To: WorkoutMachine   In reference to Message Id: 1846602


 Can you help they wont eat

Leave the paper in, and slowly "wean" them off it. Take out a couple pieces about once a week until you are down to none.

Don’t you just love that "trick"?



08/29/08  10:26pm

 #1846618


Rabernet
View Profile



  Message To: WorkoutMachine   In reference to Message Id: 1846602


 Can you help they wont eat

Oh, as for handling - if you keep handling sessions short, brief and positive (10 to 15 mins a day) and leave that paper in (but wean them off as I said above - slowly), I think you should be fine. If they refuse to eat again, stop the handling.



08/29/08  10:28pm


Back to Ball Python Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area