Breeding Season = Feeding Problems???

ballpython5000 · 04-02-03, 08:43 PM

As most of you may know by now about 2 weeks ago i got a new ball python. Now this thing still has maybe a foot or so to grow. when i bought it the guy said it had not eaten in 30 days. understandable. it had been in a cage with 2 other large balls. and it was a 30 gallon. heating was less the it should be. but over all the snake was in awsome condition. so i got it. its all find and look perfect. acts perfect. a nice thick body with nice tone. but it wont eat!!! i have only tried rats and mice. and it is totally not interested.
can this lack of feeding maybe be becuase of breeding season? i hear they regulary go off of feeding at this time. first time this has ever happened to me. i know it has only been 2 weeks. but the pet store has another one of almost equal size that i know is the perfect feeder. it bites at any and everything. i dont mind a bitter as much as an anorexic snake. i know that if i hate problem feeders that ball pythons arent my best choice, but besides that i love em, lol. so should i go to the store and swap snakes while i still can? or keep the one i have and pray that it is becuase of breeding season? any advice is appreciated. thanks

tHeGiNo · 04-02-03, 09:01 PM

Don't give up already man, there are plenty of things to try. First off, leave him alone for a week. Don't touch him, don't look at him, most important do not try and feed him. In a week, there are several things you can try to get him to eat. Try live, stun first of course. Try f/t, try black and white mice, suprisingly sometimes it makes a difference. Try slitting the mouses neck so the smell of blood comes out. Try putting a dead mouse in a bag with him overnight. Try dangling the dead mouse. There are so many things to try, try leaving a mouse out for a week then giving it to him. But again, wait a week and leave him alone, try then.

tHeGiNo · 04-02-03, 09:03 PM

Some other things i forgot to mention, try rats and mice, etc etc.

ballpython5000 · 04-02-03, 09:15 PM

the snake is in a bag as we speak!!!

Burmies · 04-02-03, 09:38 PM

Keep trying, something will work soon enough.

Burmies

ballpython5000 · 04-03-03, 06:11 AM

so i should just stick it out? there is one equally as good at the store. and its a sure feeder. they did not want to sell it to becuase it would tear me to shreads.
so any responses to the breeding season question???

Markus Jayne · 04-03-03, 06:20 AM

I would have to say that most ball pythons do go off feed during the breeding season...especially males.

If he is a nice plump firm ball python then I would hold on to him and be patient. They know when it is time to eat. One day he'll just jerk his head around when you go to introduce food and there will be no looking back.

I think you are a little stressed right now and you are transfering that same stress to your snake.

Does he have a hide and everything else he requires?

Just because the other one at the pet store strikes at everything in site, doesn't mean he is going to be a good feeder. He might just like to bite and be nasty and that is the last thing you want.

Again be patient. Learn. It all pays off in the end. It's only been two weeks.

MJ

BurmBaroness · 04-03-03, 01:18 PM

I have to say, that people who stress over ball pythons eating, probably should not have ball pythons. No offense to you, bp5000. Just that this is something ball pythons DO, even CB will go off feed sometimes. I have 4 right now, all CBB, and if they don't eat this week, I wait a week, sometimes 2, and offer again. They will eat when they want to eat, and only what they want to eat. I agree that this snake also is probably picking up on some of your stress. Here is a trick to try. Make sure he has plenty of hides, and cover the front of the cage with a towel. Make him feel secure for about a week, then remove the towel. I had a boa that was like this, that came from an abusive situation, and after a week of being covered, and then a week of being uncovered, she seemed to adjust pretty well. Good luck.

ballpython5000 · 04-03-03, 02:24 PM

the husbandry is totally flawless now. i weeded out anything that may be off before picking my new one up. i will try that towel idea.
I think you are a little stressed right now and you are transfering that same stress to your snake.(not quite sure what you mean....)
besides feeding problems i love ball pythons. they are the perfect pet for me imo
thanks for the help!!!

Kathy · 04-03-03, 07:06 PM

snakes like al animals have a way to pick up other animals feelings. He can sense that you are stressed about him not eating, so in turn he becomes stressed as well. Hes stressed becasue he doesnt know what you are stressed about, so hes nervous. My dog gets like this around exam time, he knows something is stressing me out and since he cant see it to help prevent it, he gets really stressed as well. Just leave him be for a week or so and he will be fine, BPs can go a long time without eating so theres no need in adding additional stress from his big move by worrying about his eating habbits.

hope this helps

K

BurmBaroness · 04-03-03, 07:22 PM

I didn't mean that you were a bad BP owner.........lol. I just meant that alot of people recommend BP's as first snakes, and this is precisely why they are not. ALso, what I meant about he knows you are stressed is just what Kathy said. They pick up on your stress, further compounding their own. I'm sure he'll be fine.