First Ball :)

[SyN]

Hey Everyone
Just want to start by saying what an awesome board this was. Not only did I find an amazing breeder, but also almost every question I could think of was answered so thank you for those who asked questions because I have learned so much from this site, it has helped me prepare for my first snake.

I just purchased my first Ball at the Rep Show last sunday, and she is absolutely gorgeous. Ill put pictures up once she settles in better.

I do have a question though, last night I tried to feed her a f/t rat and she was definately showing a lot of signs she wanted to eat (S position, tongue flicking rapidly, following the rat when pulled away) but she struck at it, hit it, knocked it off the tongs and stared at it. So I figured she just missed, picked it up, same thing. This happened once or twice more, and then she hissed after her fourth strike out.

My question is is she striking out of agression or out of hunger, and just doesnt want it, as previously she was fed live?

I do maintain proper husbandry, 86-96 hot side, 80-86 cool side and 50% humidity, rubbermaid with 2 hides (one each side), larger water dish in the middle and an HHP underneath.

Any and all critisism is openly accepted, as I feel its better to learn from your mistakes so you dont make them again. And I've learned before i got her, NO HANDLING first week. Thanks for you help!

[joey]

...she doesn't want it. Try again in a week or two? My female does that too and I know if she REALLY wanted it she would strike and grab it immediately. I've found that if I keep trying to intice her by continuing to dangle the rodent in front of her she gets really pissed. I've learned not to do that anymore.

Good luck and congrats on your new snakey. What's her name?

[malaysianbloods]

Congrats on the new snake and I have actually found that if they do that and you leave it in with them they will eat it 80% of the time. HTH

[joey]

....I've tried leaving the mouse/rat in overnight too (many times)and my bp has yet to eat them.

different strokes for different snakes, i spect

[SyN]

Thanks Sid, I tried that last night as soon as she hissed but no go

[Manitoban Herps]

Don't start to handle her till she has ate at least once, I know it's hard to fight the temptaion

Good luck!

[Spirit]

I'm just curious, but was she on mice before? Sometimes a switch in smell can throw them and they'll act defensive towards it... the same way they would strike at your hand if pissed off (which could be why she hissed). I'm not saying this is probable as to what happened, but it is possible. Especially if she was previously fed live rats (or mice), she could see the F/T as a threat (moves differently, smells different, different temp, etc).

I agree with Joey. Wait a week before offering again. If she does the same thing and "follows" the rat, continue to pull the rat away SLOWLY (or maybe stop and slowly turn it). If she's hungry (and it sounds like she might be), she'll take it.

Good luck!

[SyN]

no, she was on live rats before, and yes thats a very good theory of what is happenin Spirit, and Joey I am waiting till thursday to try again. And I have not attempted to handle her, im waiting till after meal 3

[pythonmdk]

you could try p/k first befor you go to f/t. I always start off with f/t but if that doesn't work then I will go with what they have been eating (live) and then go to p/k and then f/t. ANyways good luck.
~John

[mykee]

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on having done some research before your purchase and not the other way around. What you are describing is a defensive strike. She has no desire to eat if she either misses the food item, or leaves it once struck at. She is stressed and just wants to be left alone. Let her settle in for a while, and try again in a week or so. I would also suggest you get your temps more settled; 90-95 hot, 80-82 warm.
Other than that, I know it's tough, but just be patient, she'll come around.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Awesome!

What mykee said.

[SyN]

Thanks again for all your help guys, you cleared my concience *sp* and I thought that's why she wasnt eating, out of stress, and was only striking out of agression, because she never held and coiled...as tempting as it is, im going to wait till thursday and try again

My temps are a lot more stable now, i figured out why my readings kept changing (she is very sneaky and keeps moving the probe around), so i now have steady temps on either side, that only differ about 4-5 degrees respectively

[malaysianbloods]

It was worth a try and I hope you can get her to FT. Good luck

[Spirit]

Just incase you don't already know, if your ball refuses food and you're offering too often, your snake will associate that particular food item as something not to be eaten (to put it simply). Thursday is good, and if she refuses then, wait another week. It's a common mistake to offer every couple days then wonder why your snake is always refusing, so I just thought I'd mention it just incase you didn't know.

One more thing. Are you saying your temp gradient is only 4-5 degrees? If so it should be closer to 10. The temps in your tank will vary if the room temps go up and down, so forgive me if I misunderstood.

Also, there is a lot of good information here regarding how to tell when your ball will or won't eat, as to his behavior. Some people won't even bother offering if their snake isn't "acting hungry".

Keep us posted!

[SyN]

The temps do range according to room temperature/time of day yes, but it doesnt go up/down very much. But as I mentioned, the very beginning threw me off because i didnt notice her moving the temp probe around.

Because this is my first snake, I thought i did see signs of her being hungry as mentioned in the first post, but i am definately waiting in weeks now, because sensibly its just the right way