Lacie won't eat

[LacunaCobra]

hello all! I have a royal python that's about 15 months old. I've had a lot of trouble in the past getting her to eat. Live anything is never an issue, but I don't want to go that route with her again... I had an awful time getting her switched over, but she just doesn't seem the least bit interested in frozen. We've gone thru 4 already, and I've tried different techniques -- turning off the lights, putting her in a smaller critter keeper, various times of the day... you name it! She just turns her nose up! She struck at one, but ended up gutting it and didn't want anything to do with it after that. And at this point she's starting to go into another shed so I'm gonna hafta wait even longer. I don't know what to do with her! She's really being a brat, but I still love her! Is there anything else I can try? Is there a general length of time that you should keep the mice for so they're fresher? What's a good amount to get at one time? I know they can go quite a while w/o eating, but I'm still worried about her. Any advice would be great!

[nita]

Try going with a stunned rather than straight to ft. Once you get her switched to fresh killed then go to the frozen thawed. Little easier switch.

[joey]

I'm in the same boat. My bp has eaten two f/t mousies so far but that was like 4 months ago! She won't eat ANYthing. Is this normal? She went through a perfect shed about a month ago and still wasn't hungry afterwards!

[mykee]

What is your husbandry like? Your ball not eating could be as simple as tweaking your husbandry.

[joey]

My girl lives in a rubbermaid with heat/humidity just right. She's got an ample amount of water and a couple of hides. Everytime I try to feed her it's at night.

[mykee]

What is "just right"?

[Manitoban Herps]

Try to warm the meal in warm water or under a heatlamp, make the mouse hot but not so hot it burns itself.

[LacunaCobra]

Well, I broke down and went to get her a lm. She scarfed it right down... it figures!
I have her in a 20L with the temp around 80. She has hiding spots on both the cool and warm side and I soak her about every 3 days. She's pretty shy so I don't handle her too too often. She was eating f/t for a good 6 months but it was tough getting her off of live.

[joey]

what's a 'lm'? i'm guessing it's a live mouse?

[Bartman]

First off if 80 is your "warm" end it is way to cold. It should be 89-92 F.

Second, you dont really need to soak her and if shes shy like you said this is only stressing her out. You can spray the tank when shes in shed but theres no real need to soak every 3 days.

[mykee]

Why do you soak your ball every three days? Also, "temp around 80" hardly sounds "just right".

[malaysianbloods]

I totally agree with Bartman, I think that the only time that a snake should be soaked is if she/he has a bad shed or has mites.

[LacunaCobra]

She did have a bad shed... that's why I was soaking her so often. She retained a few belly scales and actually loves the water. 80 degrees is the cooler side, I should've specified that...

And not to be overly sensitive, but you guys could be a little more "gentle" when offering constructive criticism. We're all snake lovers here so nice friendly advice in my opinion is a much better way to reach others.

[Slannesh]

I'm normally the first person to jump on the crew for being so rough with new people

But you also have to realize that the 'basic husbandry' question comes up with pretty much every new person that starts posting... on occasion several times in the same day.

There is a very good FAQ at the top of the Python Regius section for basic Ball Python husbandry, i'd suggest reading it over several times as it will eliminate many questions you might have. Doing a search as well will bring up many of the answers you're looking for as well.

And guys... Gentle We were all new once remember?

[LacunaCobra]

Thanks for being sweet to me Slannesh! My man is a gamer so I actually know what "slannesh" is! LOL! I'm a girlie...can't help but be sensitive! o>