Stories of Frustration

**Minkness** · 05-16-15, 06:50 PM

Needing a bit of a pick me up since I am currently experiencing some frustration with my ball python, Moko. I haven't had him very long and it seems like one thing after another happens with him. I hope this settles down soon now that I'm seeing a vet for him, but I could really use some inspiring stories of times you got frustrated with one of your reptiles and how it turned out.

CK SandBoas · 05-16-15, 07:11 PM

I remember when I had picked up my very first snake, my normal male ball python, I was never told these guys can be a tad on the picky side when it comes to going off feed...Holy moly, the first time he did this, the utter frustration of offering rat after rat every ten days, and him ignoring it, just drove me up a wall....luckily a friend of the family reassured me it was typical for a male to go off feed during the winter breeding season...lol

bigsnakegirl785 · 05-16-15, 07:27 PM

Yeah, refusing meals is totally normal for these guys, they can be very picky and as adults respond to breeding season. I get irritated when mine does this, but I just offer weekly and he takes it when he decides he's hungry enough. It's usually because of stress or pickiness in eating, though, he'll eat throughout the winter if he's eating well.

trailblazer295 · 05-17-15, 06:42 AM

I'm hoping mine doesn't lol he is only a juvie and ate like a machine all winter. I've been told next year will be different. Good thing my hair is to short to grab. Or might end up bald.

havoc_vulture · 05-17-15, 11:01 AM

My ball, Eggsy has been really weird about feeding lately also. He's been eating, but he doesn't have that want to eat. This happened recently, a couple months ago he was like boom let's go and strike mice like no one else's business , now the nice go up to him smell him and he seems to be scared of them. I did notice though that he will eat better inside his enclosure. I had to stop putting him outside of his enclosure and he's been actually eating. He still seems reluctant but at least he'll eat. Not sure if you feed Moko away from his enclosure but it worked for me feeding inside the enclosure

**Aaron_S** · 05-17-15, 01:06 PM

I always find non-eating ball pythons peculiar. My males, the ones breeding included, hardly ever miss a meal. Let alone go off for an entire season.

trailblazer295 · 05-17-15, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I always find non-eating ball pythons peculiar. My males, the ones breeding included, hardly ever miss a meal. Let alone go off for an entire season.

I hope mine does that lol I also feed slow and steady.

Albert Clark · 05-17-15, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

Needing a bit of a pick me up since I am currently experiencing some frustration with my ball python, Moko. I haven't had him very long and it seems like one thing after another happens with him. I hope this settles down soon now that I'm seeing a vet for him, but I could really use some inspiring stories of times you got frustrated with one of your reptiles and how it turned out.

Mink, about 3 years ago my albino bp got severely burned by an unregulated thermostat. She acquired a secondary infection bc of the burns and became septic. OH! I thought I was doing a great job before all that happened to her. I really thought she was going to die. I couldn't let that happen to her. Of course she went on a food strike on top of all that which made her risks even higher to not survive. You talk about feeling guilty? She was placed on betadine soaks bid (twice a day). Baytril for the infection x 10 days, and sulfa silvadiazine for the burned areas. She then became dehydrated as a complication from inappetance and the side effects of the meds. But you know what? I knew I couldn't let her die! That is her baby picture in my avatar. Now, today she is alive but still scarred a bit but expecting her first clutch in about 3 weeks or less. I left out other details to avoid being lengthy, but we live and we learn and we stay positive in the face of adversity. Never give up the ship! Stay in peace and not pieces. Hope this helped.

I didn't really get frustrated so much, I got busy. Busy researching and trying to find ways to improve on her care, my husbandry and knowledge as it pertains to my reptiles.

**Aaron_S** · 05-17-15, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

I hope mine does that lol I also feed slow and steady.

You should be!

As for stories of frustration. Just stay strong Minkness.

trailblazer295 · 05-17-15, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

You should be!

As for stories of frustration. Just stay strong Minkness.

At around 600g still feeding small rats. Be on those for awhile. But every week he pokes his head out before I get the door open.

**Minkness** · 05-17-15, 06:51 PM

Frustration doesn't just mean BPs not eating. Could be any type of snake and anything that made you throw your arms up and want to scream. Chronic mites? A breeder that wouldn't breed, an aggressive one that would settle? Anything really.

For me, it's been a series of issues with the same snake. Not eating, then he started eating but had an awful shed that stuck in his head and over one eye, now it's the RI and so far....off feed again. (Going to try again tonight and see how he does...fingers crossed he doesn't waste a mouse).

ARCH3R · 05-17-15, 07:22 PM

Mine is still ongoing unfortunately. My little hognose hasn't eaten since early March. I've had him since January and I have yet to see a shed. He was already under weight when I got him. The struggle is real.

bigsnakegirl785 · 05-18-15, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I always find non-eating ball pythons peculiar. My males, the ones breeding included, hardly ever miss a meal. Let alone go off for an entire season.

Yeah that's how mine is most of the time. He was eating with even more ferocity than how my retic has shown herself (thus far, but it's only been two feedings). I introduce a small rat into the mix to get him off 2 jumbos biweekly, and now he has no interest. That, and the stress I mentioned. He's more of a no-touch animal because of his sensitivity. Aside from all of that, if he's eating well he won't miss a single meal, even during the winter.

He's always been a very reliable feeder until I moved for the first time with him, maybe 2-3 years ago. Since then, it's been off and on. He's the only one who reacts negatively to being put in a new enclosure or after a move. Everyone else goes on about their business like usual.

**lady_bug87** · 05-18-15, 03:48 AM

want frustration?

Every time I clean my psychotic ATBs enclosure she immediately spills her water in her attempt to eat my face.

Every. Damn. Time.

Albert Clark · 05-18-15, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

Frustration doesn't just mean BPs not eating. Could be any type of snake and anything that made you throw your arms up and want to scream. Chronic mites? A breeder that wouldn't breed, an aggressive one that would settle? Anything really.

For me, it's been a series of issues with the same snake. Not eating, then he started eating but had an awful shed that stuck in his head and over one eye, now it's the RI and so far....off feed again. (Going to try again tonight and see how he does...fingers crossed he doesn't waste a mouse).

I understand you, but all of what your mentioning is part of reptile keeping. IMO, you should just handle each issue the best way you can and let the pieces fall where they may. In your mind you did or will do the best you can. No one can ask for more. Best of luck.