Feeding Live rat!!!

pinoiballer01 · 10-17-04, 07:09 PM

I ve got my ball for 2 weeks now and i try to feed it with a live mouse.. it sticks its tounge out to sniff the mice but it didnt ever try to eat it. the mouse died and i threw it away cause the smell stinks. anyway i try to feed it with a live small rat. he still show no interest. i havent touch him for 3 days now. he looks like he's shedding. the temperature in the enclosure is 95% hot side, 80 % coolside.. humidity plays in the area of 65 % to 80%. any comment on this situation...

silent_truth · 10-17-04, 07:23 PM

I'll try to make this as basic as possible:

1) Do not feed the snake while it is in shed.

2) Do not feed live mice or rats until you've exhausted all the different techniques for feeding F/T prey.

3) Ensure that there are adequate hidespots for your snake.

4) If it's only the second week you've had him and all other habitat requirements are met, wait another week and try offering food again. Do not handle the snake in this time period.

Try the above and see how it goes.

Best of luck and don't think you're the only one with a ball python that refuses a meal because it is very common. Make sure everything is right in his enclosure and then go from there.

Best of luck,
-Adam

mykee · 10-17-04, 09:48 PM

While in shed, get that humidity up to 80% plus, and what is 95% temperature? 95% of what?

Jockdeeznutz · 10-17-04, 10:54 PM

My 3 month old BP just shedded about last week and it was perfect. The eyes turned milky white then couple days later it turnd back to normal. Then it started shedding. I tried to feed it because i heard some peoples BP's eat during shedding but most dont. Your BP will probably be sitting in the water when its going to shed. Just be patient. Next thing you know you'll see a ball of skin in the BP's hide.

RepTylE · 10-17-04, 11:05 PM

Forget the Hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy, I think that the Ball Python handbook should have the words DON'T PANIC on the cover. Two weeks without feeding? That's not anything to worry about at this point.
Sounds like a shedding situation to me too. Yeah, get the humidity up during shed for sure. Let us know how things are going.

arkuden · 10-18-04, 10:26 AM

yes BP's can go off feed for several months at a time or more. Be patient and wait for the shed to complete. Other than raising the humidity for a shed i try not to handle the snake at all as shedding is very stressful for them. Once you see a nice clean looking snake and some skin lying around then you can try to feed him.