Feeding problem

[Drperetz]

i have a problem feeding my w/c 3.5' ball python for over 4 weeks, but today he was more active than ever, tried biting me while i moved my hand near him (thats a good sign). Question, he tried to bite a mouse that i was holding, 4 times, he didnt grab on to him at all, does any 1 think its a problem or may be he is not really hungry just trying to bite things?
Also are their fangs visible cause i havent seen them since i got him.(just checking).
thanx

[BornboreD]

Ball Pythons don't have "Fangs", but what they do have for teeth, would only be visible with a VERY close inspection. ;)

This time of year it seems to be the norm for Balls to go off feed, or start feeding sporadically, I wouldn't sweat it. I have an '04 girl that hasn't eaten for 2 months, and was starting to worry me until I weighed her and saw that she's only lost 6 grams, since about two weeks into her fast.

Also, Ball's seem to be kinda clumsy. I've witnessed mine miss on quite a few occasions. Miss the same target multiple times even, or even strike in the opposite direction of the rat I'm offering.

I dunno how long you've had this Ball, but the trend usually is that the letters "w/c" stand for "problem feeder". LOL!

Colin

[pinoiballer01]

my wild caught ball python hasnt eaten since the first week of october and im not worried. hes not loosing any weight. im just hoping that when spring comes along he will start eating for me

[SYRAZ]

I just got mine about 3 weeks ago and he totally shys away from food. BUt my problem is... he's also starting to wheeze. Hopefully he didn't pick up an infection

[malaysianbloods]

Hey i'm a little curious if you had him probed or if when you bought your snake they told you it was a male. If you did have it probed and it is a male then my guess doesn't really apply, but I was thinking that if it is a female then I've heard that a lot of them that are usually tame can be pretty pissy around this time a year. Just a guess though cause you never know sankes are getting misprobed all the time.

[malaysianbloods]

SYRAZ: If your ball is starting to wheez he might be getting RI and if so you might want to double check all your temps in your cag. If it doesn't stop you'll have to take him to a vet. HTH

[mykee]

Dr; since when is a snake trying to bite you a good thing?

[Drperetz]

well i mean he is showing signs of hunger and that he is actually willing to try to eat some thing lol

[nita]

I have a nippy little bugger too but he eats everything, he is also CB though. If he is a male don't sweat the not eating unless he is losing weight. I have 7 males only one is eating on a regular basis right now. One male, most likely a WC since he is a 12 yr old I adopted, hasn't eaten for me since OCT. Come spring I'm sure he will eat again though. If you are offering every week switch it to every other week until he starts accepting food, also make sure the rat/mouse is well heated.

On the striking and not accepting it, i have mouse eaters that will do this when offered a rat. Soon as I give them a mouse they eat it, maybe you are offering it something it doesnt' want to eat?

[Drperetz]

well the problem is this:
I am trying to feel live cause its the original state that the bp ate his pray. Mice are small and mostly harmless, however if i try to feed a live rat, thats gonna kill my 3.5 feet bp and i dont want anything to happen to it. I just got over the tick problem that we had that was enough of my worries.

Also i see so loose skin so its really freaking me out that he is not feeding.

[mykee]

A strike is NOT a sign of hunger, it's a sign of stress or aggression. An eaten food item is a sign of hunger. Also, with regards to your mice vs. rat aggression theory, from my experience, you've got it bass-ackwards.

[Drperetz]

is there any supliments that i can feed my python through his water supply against stress, or i actually have to wait for him to adapt to his surroundings?
Mykee thanx for ur consistent support!!!

[BornboreD]

Originally posted by Drperetz
is there any supliments that i can feed my python through his water supply against stress, or i actually have to wait for him to adapt to his surroundings?
Mykee thanx for ur consistent support!!!

Ummm, No. Proper Husbandry reduces stress. From this I get that your lookin' to spike your snake's water with valium or something. :p

[TheMan]

From this I get that your lookin' to spike your snake's water with valium or something.

You guys are too funny...

[mykee]

Yup, reduce his stress level by providing proper husbandry, there is no quick fix. Also, with all the great breeders of ball pythons out there, why do people feel the need to go out and "save a few bucks" on a WC, adn then wonder why they aren't eating? There's no substitute for research. As for the support, no problem, just trying to clear up some of your misconceptions.