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Ball Python Feeding Issues -- Serious!!

First thing I noticed is the care fresh. Throw that crap out! Switch to a cypress mulch bedding, that will make him shed so much easier. Also the cage is way to open, and he surely feels nervouse. He's not too skinny, but that could change. The rodent in that cage is wayyy to small, try F/T Rats or ASFs.
 
Tonight he becomes a closet snake. lol. Either that, or I'm going to grab a tub and another UTH from Target/Petsmart. I know my very, very large cornsnake would enjoy Sammy's tank as a replacement for his current. And if Sammy would prefer a tub, then so be it. It's not all about being aesthetically pleasing to me.
 
Put him in a tub! What's his weight in grams (I'm too lazy to try and convert the unit), he looks breeding size for a male, and most males aren't feeding right now, just breeding!
 
I have some small rats that I was trying, and he wasn't going for them at all. I switched back to the mice and he ate. Then stopped. So I had just been sticking with trying the mice until he ate something. I have 20 or so rats in my freezer.

Just to get clarification, would it be better to just switch to the tub altogether, or will simply moving this tank into the extremely dark room be alright? I can do either.
 
Yes a tub is much better. Buy a 6qt tub. It seems really small, but is the best way to go. Move the tub to a dark room. Try a live adult mouse, or live rat crawler. Leave it 15 minutes, then check it. I've seen males breed at 300g, and heard about them breeding at 250g. So that may be it too!
 
Okay, I'm not going to take him with me to the vet, just the kingsnake that needs his follow-up. I'll stop at Target/Petsmart on the way home and pick up a tub and another UTH. I'll take a picture of what I got so I can return it if it's the wrong thing.
 
Awesome. I'm not sure that your vet has a whole lot of good husbandry advice to give, daily baths and no live feeding (for a Ball Python), I'm just not sure about them. Keep us in the loop!
 
It's kinda 6 of one, a half dozen of the other.

I thoughts are, if the tank is to be his permanent home, let's get him used to that. If you want to set him up in a tub, we can try that too. Which ever you prefer to try. Both the cave trick and tub have a high chance of helping him.

If regards to breeding size male, yes he is, but having not eaten since October 2011, that blows the "spring fever" theory out. This is a BP that is having an issue with something.

I have offered both mice and rats, it's not a big deal which. We want him to eat something, anything. So if he gets going again on mice, you can try rats again after a few meals. I start all of mine of mice, then transition to rats.
 
Just a thought, if he hasn't eaten since Oct shouldn't you feed a prey size smaller to get him to eat. Like a rat pup?

I didn't switch Lola to a smaller viv because I didn't want to stress her out anymore than she already was and she was already use to her tank she was in.
 
Maybe I should try the tub for a while until he eats a few times, then place him in his tank in a dark room and work from there? Either way, I'd like to change the substrate because I know humidity has been a consistent problem, so, that's getting done today. He's going to end up in some sort of dark environment by the end of the day... and I am going to attempt to feed live by next weekend after he's had this week to readjust.

The vet that told me about the baths got her info from a herpetology forum for vets. I don't think she was a specialist; she seemed to know less than I did. I am taking my kingsnake (Tigger) to a new vet today. I'll run the history past him and see what he has to say, too.
 
RaLaser said:
Maybe I should try the tub for a while until he eats a few times, then place him in his tank in a dark room and work from there? Either way, I'd like to change the substrate because I know humidity has been a consistent problem, so, that's getting done today. He's going to end up in some sort of dark environment by the end of the day... and I am going to attempt to feed live by next weekend after he's had this week to readjust.

The vet that told me about the baths got her info from a herpetology forum for vets. I don't think she was a specialist; she seemed to know less than I did. I am taking my kingsnake (Tigger) to a new vet today. I'll run the history past him and see what he has to say, too.
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That's a good plan.

You should be able to find cypress bedding at pet store with no problems.

Ah, that makes sense about the vet. Some of that advice seemed a bit suspect from her. Not "totally" wrong, but way off for what was going on here.
 
The tank he's in now doesn't *have* to be his permanent tank. It was set up initially on what I thought he would do well in, and because it's aesthetically pleasing. I have no issues on him being switched to a tub, if that's what he needs. Like I said, my corn would love Sammy's tank. lol. He's very.... adventurous.
 
RaLaser said:
I am going to throw a party when Sammy eats. lol.
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I'll be ready.



party-cat-party-time.jpg
 
We will all throw a party when Sammy eats :D It is a really good feeling when it all comes together for our scalebabies.

I literally jumped up and down woohooing when Lola ate for me.
 
This new vet is fantastic!! Took my king there to get some stitches removed from his neck (long story). Spoke with him about Sammy and he echoed very similar advice as to what you guys gave. He said to cover the sides and half the top of the tank to make it dark; don't bother putting him in a tub because he is used to his tank. Wait a few days. Then put him in a smaller 20G tank or so with a live mouse for 24 hours.

Then call him back if he doesn't eat. So, that's my game plan.

I picked up two mice at the feed store. I am seriously going to cry. They are f'n adorable. :(
 
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