Howdy Ya'll

[adsimmons]

I'm an okie from Muskogee county, LOL, just gettin to know some new people with the same interests. I am relatively new to the snake world, I was raised by snake haters. I only have two but they are so addictive, I want to move on to different kinds and colors, lol. But I do love animals, all kinds. I have 1 parakeet, 1 mouse, 1 hermit crab, 4 rats, 2 bp, 6 dogs, 3 cats and a horse at the moment. Oh and 4 kids, lol, can't forget them. Thanks for reading this and please reply soon.

[Smilts]

welcome to the forum and thats nearly a zoo there. :)

[Chu'Wuti]

Adsimmons! I'm an Okie, too!! Currently in Cleveland County myself. Your menagerie sounds like the one I had when my sons were young; my "baby" just had his 20th birthday. Between us, my DH & I have 6 children (5 "boys," 1 "girl") and 3 "official" grandchildren and 2 "adopted" grandchildren. Ooops, forgot to include one in Dubai--make that 3 adopted ones.

Many of us born in Oklahoma were raised by snake-haters, especially if they were rural folks. My mother was from the Jester area (in Greer County, near Mangum/Altus) and was a ranch girl, so she definitely hated snakes. My dad was a "city" boy from Weatherford; didn't hate snakes, but Mom ruled the roost on what types of animals were acceptable! I was a rebellious girl. When my mom caught my great-uncle filming me catching garter snakes, she had a conniption (as they said in those days--I'm definitely dating myself!). That early interest led to 30 years of snake-keeping, all wild caught (WC) until 3 years ago.

Right now we're "down" to a BP (ball python), two dogs, two cats, & a bunch of fish, but I'm planning to add lizards & more BPs; thinking about trying to breed a pair. The grands love our snake (well, the other animals, too, but those are mundane--the snake is cool!)

At any rate, welcome to the forum! Tell us more about your snakes--what kinds? Wild caught (WC) or captive bred (CB)? (You'll need to get used to those abbreviations!) Hope you enjoy it!

[adsimmons]

welcome to the forum and thats nearly a zoo there. :)

Thanks!! I couldn't help but notice that you are from Big Spring TX, do you remember last year the guy that got hit on the motorcycle on I20? That was my dad, it is such a small world. Nice to meet you, hope to talk more.

[adsimmons]

Hi!! Glad to meet another okie on here. As far as your question goes, I'm not sure what mine are, one came from a pet shop the other the tulsa expo. I'm pretty sure the pet shop one was a wc, she isn't doing so well either. She had ticks and mites and won't eat. I have managed to force her one mouse the other night, but my other one eats like a pig, lol. She is the sweetest one I have ever had though, loves to be held, I don't get the not eating part. She looks horrible. Her skin is just hanging on her now, any suggestions? This is a first for me, the others I have had always ate good.

[Chu'Wuti]

For the one that won't eat:

What are you trying to feed her? When? How?

What are the conditions in her enclosure? (temps, humidity, size, hides, water)

How long is she? How much does she weigh?

It's really frustrating when they won't eat, I know. Drove me crazy when mine quit eating for awhile. Get us started on figuring out what's wrong by giving us the details of your husbandry and we'll try to help. Also, if you'll post pics of each one, we'll see if we can't get them identified for you.

[adsimmons]

I feed mice, live,and at night. Her cage is shared with another ball and he seems to be fine. The temps are right at 85 daytime and 75-80 at night, the humidity is low right now, winter is dry, but they have humid hides in there, she is 27 inches long and i am not sure what she weighs, i don't have a scale. She is still active, just looks like the saggy baggy elephant, lol.

[Chu'Wuti]

It's entirely possible that she's stressed out by the other snake. Try putting her in her own enclosure--she might start eating after she adjusts.

Also, ball pythons need more warmth than you're currently giving them. Your ambient temps are OK, but they need a basking place--under your current set-up, two basking places--where it gets up to 95 deg F. The problem is likely that the female can't get into the warmest area/the hide she needs to be in for her health because the male is occupying it.

Separation will really help this situation. Get her into a different enclosure with three temp zones--cool/warm/hot with two hides so she can change from the hot area to a cooler area when she needs to do so. After a few days to adjust, try feeding her again. If you also provide a hot basking spot for the male, he'll be healthier for it, too. Your best bet is to get a couple of UTHs (under-tank heaters) that can range between 88 deg - 95 deg F and put one on each enclosure--that way the snakes will have adequate belly heat for digestion.