Frank Strikes three Times....

franksmom · 02-09-06, 09:29 AM

Hello All,

I inherited a beautiful and wonderfully friendly 8' ball python from my brother and, until last November he (the snake not my brother) would eat a medium rat like clockwork on Saturday evening.

In November, I offered his regular meal and he completely ignored it. I read my book and it said to wait two weeks and introduce food again. I've been doing this since November and he hasn't seemed interested at all. This last rat was a small one instead. I introduced it and he actually seemed interested. He unlocked his jaw and soon after took three strikes at the thing. In prior feeding he never ever missed! I've read that Ball Pythons will go without during the cold months, but, because he is unlocking his jaw and striking, he seems hungry.

Is it possible that he just doesn't want food and is striking because he is agitated? Should I take him to see a snake doc? Do they even have such a thing?

This is the only snake I've ever had and I would really appreciate any advice that you snake lovers can give me. Thanks in advance for taking a moment to reply.

JAdkins2451 · 02-09-06, 12:34 PM

Has he been losing weight? If not then there is nothng to relly worry about. Somtimes when they strike its in defence..

Jamie

franksmom · 02-09-06, 08:47 PM

No weight loss or sign of dehydration. He shed twice one right after the other. I thought that was a little odd.

peterm15 · 02-09-06, 09:08 PM

are you sure this is a ball python.. 8' for a ball is absoutly massive... the largest ive heard of is 6 but 4.5-5 is more probable.

as for your snake striking thats normal.. espically if they dont feel sucure or you have disturbed them.. did you take it out of its hide.. lift the hide off.. ase you giving adecuate hides.. ect ect.. it doesnt sound like anything is rong with him just defensive..

mine just started eating again... she hasnt eaten since october then before that was augest... shes on a good scedual again now though ( knock on wood)

franksmom · 02-09-06, 09:19 PM

I really appreciate you assurances. As far as his size, I was guessing his length but he is longer than his 60 gallon tank and at least 3 inches in diameter. He is a healthy one that's for sure. I was reading about Eye caps and the fact that maybe he can't see the rat so he's striking and misses????

Anyway I will stop worrying. Thanks again. Frank's Mom

Phoenix · 02-09-06, 10:03 PM

The last time he shed did you look to see if the eye caps were there? If not, after the next shed look, and if they arn't then you may have an issue. Otherwise, he should be able to see fine.

And, can you include a pic of him? I've never heard of a ball getting that big....

Leolord · 02-09-06, 10:13 PM

When my geckos refused to eat cause they were growing up I would worry but my dad would always tell me that when there hungry enough they will eat and I believe that is your problem there you just have to wait.
As for your shed problem I find that extremely strange and unusual.

--Matt--:thumbsup:

newticus · 02-09-06, 10:54 PM

he's 8 feet and three inches round, there is no way that's a ball,, can you post a pic of your guy??

peterm15 · 02-10-06, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newticus

he's 8 feet and three inches round, there is no way that's a ball,, can you post a pic of your guy??

i can see 3" circumfrence but no way can i see 8 feet.. thoes were my thoughts exactly

even then a standard 65 gal is 37 x 19 x 25 which means 3'1" or even if its a long tank it would be 48" long

amercnwmn · 02-10-06, 08:18 AM

I agree that is ONE BIG BALL!
My female just went on a hunger strike from Nov..she just ate last week! I was really worried, now she is in shed...Also it is mating season for the ball, if that is what you have..And in winter they go thru the "cooling period" and can go quite sometime without eating... if it has been feeding regularly, I wouldnt worry too much, you might try to offer the food in the cage if you havent already, and do it at night, leave it in overnight (as long as it isnt alive!!)
If it starts dehydrating, lookin skinny, locate an exotics veterinarian....or a local herp vet...you can try to find one in your state www.anapsid.org then click on "veterinarians" and then "veterinarian listings"
Hope that helps...Im anxious to see a pic of the snake too!

Corran · 02-10-06, 10:18 AM

Try and post pics if you can, at 8' theres no way its a ball python. even at 10 years most male bp's barely reach 4-4.5' maybe check and make sure your not taking care of a bermese or maybe something else? lol. Anyways for ball pythons its normal for them to go months without eating, sometimes a year or more in some cases, provided they are fully grown.

rrrrr · 02-10-06, 02:40 PM

First of all, a 60g aquarium is probably 4' long, so your snake is probably something like 5' long. If he's any more than 6', he's not a ball python, and at 5', he's probably a she.

Second, if (s)he is striking and not grabbing/constricting, he's not interested in eating...he's defending himself.

Many ball pythons dont eat in the winter. Offer every 2 or 3 weeks until he starts eating, and if he starts losing a lot of weight, post again. Dont stress about it. It's no big deal, and happens ALL the time.

franksmom · 02-11-06, 09:09 PM

I've never been good with measurements! I used a measuring tape and you are right! He's just under 4 feet at the most. I've been doing alot more research and am now in the process of redecorating his tank. I've moved him to another area in the living room (away from the TV), changed his bedding to Desert Snow, added more humidity with a waterfall and installed gauges so I can make sure the temp and humidity is right. One thing I'm unclear about. I bought one of those under the tank heating mats. A big one. Should his hide be right on the heat or away from the heat?

Thanks again for all you help (and understanding about my measurement challenged life).

peterm15 · 02-12-06, 12:13 AM

hide should be plural.. you need at least 2. one on the cold side one on the warm.. if you have room for more.. use more.. balls hide all the time and thats where they like to be.. you must give them a gradiant as well as a choice to be on the hot or warm side..

what kind of gauges did you buy.

franksmom · 02-12-06, 11:46 AM

So strange the thought of two hides. I don't know if I can fit another with the waterfall and water dish and branches. When I inherited him he had no hide at all. Apparently my brother didn't know much about ball pythons either. The gauges... a temperature and a humidity gauge. Thanks again for the advice, I really appreciate it.