advice wanted

[angel]

I got a baby bp about a month ago. Since I've had her she hasn't eaten anyting, I've tried frozen fuzzies and live pinkies but she won't take anything. Is this normal, is she still trying to get used to her new environment. Her tank conditions are normal.
I don't know what to do. Edvice please!!! :confused:

[mango]

Have you taken her to the vet? How long has she been fasting before you got her? Is she in shed? How much are you handling her? I know the basics my snake was sick when she was sold to me over a month ago and she died this morning. She was malnutritious and her first meal gave her a heart attack or something of that nature. It happens.

[angel]

well she's not sheding and she hasn't really been handled. We don't want to stress her out so we just leave her alone. The guy said that he fed her once a week, and she's deficated once so I know she was eating before I got her,she just won't eat now.

[mango]

this is the drawback to the perfect pet snake. they will fast for as long as they feel like it and make you want to go crazy. Just went through it trust me. I was told to just watch her weight closely and keep offering on a close schedule, you know, once a week and to keep her plenty of fresh water. What did she eat before you got her?

[angel]

I was told she ate pinkies and fuzzies(mice not rats), so thats what I've been giving her. She just lets the thing walk all over her and she won't take it. I'm afraid of leaving it in there too long incase it tries to bite her. But I have left it in over night before.

[mango]

Hopefully someone a little more experienced with shed a little more light but bp's are well known for making their owner pull their hair out over not eating and it not hurt the snake a bit. It's like a battle of wills. sorry I couldn't be more help.

[Jeff_Favelle]

A BP will NOT recognize pinky mice as a food item!!! Hopper live mice will entice all but the finickiest baby BP to eat.

Pinky mice and even fuzzy mice are a waste of time for BP's.

[Jeff_Favelle]

And pinky mice don't bite. :D

[Linds]

Yup. I agree with Jeff. Give your snake something approximately the same size as the largest part of the snakes girth. Most hatchlings start out on rat pinks, hopper mice, or even adult mice. Your snake probably thinks those pinky mice are a joke. Try upping the prey size :) Was she feeding on dead or live prey? If she wasn't feeding on dead prey yet, offer her a live one. Then once she is feeding make the switch to dead. Good luck and let us know how it turns out ;)

[BurmBaroness]

Most common problem with BP's that won't eat are improper temps. Ball pythons need temps of 82-83 cool side, and 92 warm side. If it's not warm enough, it won't eat. If your temps aren't correct, that and the small prey item size are probably the problem with her not eating. Good Luck

[sapphire_moon]

I am having this same problem......only my BP seems stuck on PINKIE mice. She has had one live fuzzy, but refuses f/t fuzzies.......BP's definitly had a mind of their own. And as for you asking if this was normal. If you would have done your research you would know that it is! Someone else in this post said it.........BP's are famous for making new owners pull out their hair in attempts to get them to eat. I have been.....still am.....Since this is only my second snake, and my first never has given me a problem......goodluck, keep offering on a tight scheduel.........