RCReptiles.com

[Droptine]

:-? What gives with these ball pythons ??,talk about being a picky pain in the a$$.
I set this new snake up in a GREAT new home,,but he will not take any food.Live,nope,fresh killed,NOPE,,It has been over 3 weeks since he ate last,(for the former owner)He just shed a few days ago.
I hate to say it,but I miss my corn snake A LOT.. :-(

[Monty is my Python]

[a_green]

How long has he been in his new home? As great as it is, it might be a stress for your snake to get used to it, and this can easily put them off feeding for a while.

Keep at it, and don't be distressed if he goes for a while without eating. He'll be all right--they can go without for months and be fine. Just keep offering food (ideally the same food he has been known to accept before), maybe once a week-ish. No need to constantly offer it, this might stress the snake out more. Just make sure temps & humidity are within range.

Don't worry, you'll find a solution. He's probably just still settling in and getting used to his new owner. And they are not all like this!!!!!! You will fall in love sooner or later like we all have.

[PlayBall]

[deborahbroadus]

ummmm,....if you got a snake that you wanted to eat on demand..then yes, you made a mistake.

Bps are like (I do like human comparisons ) 2 year olds,,...they get finicky. The challenge is in getting to know the bp once you get to know your animal, your fears will be set to rest because you will KNOW why he's not eating, what's wrong etc.

[Droptine]

I really feel like I should have started with a much younger snake.A friend had this 3 year old male with no future plans,and at a very good price,,so I bit.
Great looking snake,very healthy,a bit under sized for his age,,but everything else fine.He stays in his warm hide all day,but is very active at night.
Last night he was out before lights out,so I figured it would be a good time to offer a meal.I offered live a week ago,with no interest,so I went with fresh killed this time.He was fed F/T off forceps before,so I lowered the mouse in front of his face,hoping he would go for it.NO GO.
I said fine,be that way.I turned the light off and left the mouse in the tank.
I peeked at 11 or so,,still laying there.Another wasted meal.
I just think about how you learn about a snake when you raise it from a baby,how it eats,when,etc..
I am at a loss,but I will give him time.

[ryancbj22]

Don't get so discouraged. These snakes can go a very long time without eating. There are some people on here that have bp's that are going on a year without food. I have one that has only ate one rat pup in about 4 months and he's 4yrs old and about 4ft long. This time of year is there picky time they start fasting due to breeding season and the cold weather. It's very frustrating when you don't breed rats or mice and you go out and get one and they don't eat. I finally got tired of taking the rat back to the pet store every time he didn't eat so I bought a 10 gallon aquarium a water bottle and a hide. Cost me about $30 and I just keep the rat until he eats it I had one rat for 2 months and now I have another one going on a month. All of my other ones eat like champs everytime. Like I said don't worry about it and especially don't force the issue wait a week everytime he'll eat when he's ready trust me. Just make sure you monitor his weight and watch for signs of dehydration.

[deborahbroadus]

[Droptine]

Thanks for the impute guys.I'm not that good with a computer to put pics up.
Maybe I could e-mail a photo to one of you guys,and you could post it,,what do you think ?

[jb.t3ch]

[deborahbroadus]

[hhmoore]

I saw you had started this thread, and just couldn't resist reading...

I understand your frustration, but, as you mentioned in your last email, you are still in cornsnake mode. Unfortunately, patience is often required with BPs...and that one is dealing with a number of environmental changes (as well as different approaches by his new keeper).
He hasn't even been there 3 full weeks yet, and you have offered food 3 times that I know of....and there was a shed cycle involved. I know you want him to eat, but just sit back and relax a bit - it's not as if you're going to get stuck with a snake that doesn't eat. (Though you might want to consider picking up a pair of long tweezers, for feeding time, if you are going to feed p/k or f/t, since you know he doesn't eat dead prey that is just dropped in with him)

This can happen with any newly acquired snake, regardless of age or species. When it occurs, it is time for the keeper to step back and take an objective look at things (the following are general statements, not necessarily aimed at you, Dave).
- is the setup, temperature, humidity appropriate for the species?
- if so, following cues/clues from the previous keeper might help. Consider differences in housing, temperature, prey choice, prey presentation. Prey presentation, in particular, can be a huge issue with BPs.
- sometimes, we have to change our thinking or approach, to match the animals in our care...and it is often easier than getting them to do things our way.

[Droptine]

Hey Harald,,I knew you would catch me whining sooner or later.Yes,as you can tell I am not that patient,or not used to having to be this patient.
It's only been 3 weeks,are you sure,,seems longer.
The last time I offered the mouse I hung it in front of his face,,like it was being held by long nose tweezers,,could this work,or is there still too much of me in the picture ?.
As far as the set up goes,,I believe I'm on the money,,what do you think :warm hide 90-93 cool hide 78-81,,every where else 81-86.
The humidity just wont stay up,,but I believe that is most important around shedding time,correct ?
I'll stop now Harald, I promise,,or I'll whine on the phone next time :D

[hhmoore]

[deborahbroadus]

Ahhh, some history on the story helped a bit. Harald is right on the money and giving the same advice that you would have gotten from us. It helps to talk to the owner of the snake, but we are here if you have questions.

I don't think you were "whining," I am thinking it's more likely that you were uneasy. Eating is such a part of the human make up that we can't stand it if something isn't eating.

Post pics of the set up!