When to give up???? - Page 4

BoidKeeper · 06-05-04, 09:18 AM

*shakes his head*

dave68 · 06-05-04, 11:37 AM

I'm feellin that Boidkeeper

still_matic · 06-05-04, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sapphire_moon
why would you scent with a lizard? I have never heard of that for a BP, a hognose maybe, but not a bp.

I don't think I've ever even seen anyone suggest that!?

Lizards for a bp? I thought their main diet in the wild was jerobas (gerbil like animals) not lizards?

hey, it's worth a shot is it not? i mean, he says he's tried everything and i'm only trying to help.. i've never had do it but who knows, it just might intice the snake to eat... no need to get on my case now, i now what i'm doing and i'm doing it ill..

sapphire_moon · 06-05-04, 05:39 PM

sure

BoidKeeper · 06-05-04, 09:26 PM

Quote:

he says he's tried everything

He hasn't tried everything. All he has to do is follow Corey's post. If he would forget about the rest of it and just follow that advice there is an extremely good chance we could close this thread. If you need to ask when to give up then it's time to give up. There's no need to ever ask that question because it's never time to give up on an animal. Also anyone who reads up on balls would know better then to ask that question.
It's time for KISS!
Trevor

knads06 · 06-06-04, 06:47 PM

Do bp's usually start shedding after they have ate their first meal or does it just happen all the time??

knads06 · 06-07-04, 06:29 PM

this was taken last week of my little guy after i tried to feed him. I removed his water dish and put the paper towel roll near him to give you somewhat of a idea how big he his

knads06 · 06-07-04, 06:30 PM

elevation24 · 06-07-04, 06:36 PM

They shed when they are growing.

Add more hides or move him into a smaller enclosure.

knads06 · 06-07-04, 06:42 PM

THose were taken last week, and im planning on moving him into a 10 gallon tank or a rubbermaid inside the tank this week.

marisa · 06-07-04, 07:12 PM

Let me suggest a few things since it sounds like you are about to get a new enclosure. First of all I suggest setting it up right this time and leaving it once you have it stable.

1. Get a heating pad. These should be controlled somehow. A dimmer can be found for pretty cheap.
2. Shoebox sized rubbermaid, some holes melted into it.
3. Paper towel for the substrate
4. Tiny tight fitting hides. That snake is small. It needs smaller hiding spots than you think.

Get it all set up with the temps good and move the snake in. Leave it alone for a week. Then feeding attempt. Do NOT handle the snake aside from moving it to this new enclosure, just leave it alone. You don't even need to open the lid.

I hope you do follow the advice given here and here is a photo of a baby ball in his enclosure near his hides:

<img src="http://8snakes.myftp.org/marisa/Snakes/seven/3seven11-23-03.jpg">

Marisa

sapphire_moon · 06-08-04, 10:00 AM

like OMG did this thing JUST come out of the egg. it's so TINY. I personally would take it back and get one thats a bit bigger and already eating!

Smulkin · 06-08-04, 11:47 AM

You might want to consider covering the sides (at LEAST 3) of that tank if you are adamant on sticking with glass so increase the sense of security vs feeling exposed - especially abutted against a white wall things are bound to be a bit brighter than a ball would prefer.

mykee · 06-09-04, 08:24 PM

Wow, it seems that most people who are offering advice are offering bad advice. As Trevor said KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid). It's not rocket science. I'm not going to offer any advice to you Knads, as you've heard it all, but I will offer advice to all the 'experts' who are crapping all over your legitimate questions: being an a$$ instead of helping is doing no good other than making you look stupid. We were all there at one point, and we all needed help. Some of us were a little more knowledgeable and some of us ran into problems. What we didn't need to hear when asking a legitimate question, was "get rid of your ball, and go get a corn", or "you should stick to a dog or cat". NOBODY started in this hobby knowing it all. We're here to help, and pass on information, that's how we all become more experienced and knowledgeable herpers. 'Nuff said.

ReptiliansDOTca · 06-09-04, 10:11 PM

I tried to read all the posts, and sort out the information, and everything is everywhere! Thus, I will try to be of assistance and write a little summary.

First of all, I am having the understanding that you are trying to feed him several times within a week. You need to give him a break for a few days. Anyhow, here is what you will need to do:

Go to your local Wal-Mart and pick up a small shoebox Rubbermaid. Put in two hides, they should be small and tend to their thigmorphic nature. What is thigmorphic? Basically, they appreciate and need a small, tight area to hide in. The most important factor is that the hide makes contact with the snakes' back. This could be anything you can find that fits the description. Keep the temperature on the hot side at 90°F and the cool size 75 - 80°F.

Once you have given him a few days to acclimate to the new environment, pick up a live hopper mouse. Offer this to him. As a side note, great post MyKee.

What is key here is that you get him out of that tank, and into the small Rubbermaid. Believe me; your results will multiply once you do this. Ball pythons, especially young ones, are extremely timid snakes, and appreciate and benefit from a small environment. I know you may not like the idea of a small shoebox Rubbermaid, but it is what will get your snake to eat. Once he is eating steadily, and grown up a bit, you can always move him into a more aesthetically pleasing enclosure. Do not bother covering your aquarium, painting the sides, or anything else of the sort - just get the snake out of there. Please, do not bother scenting your mouse with a lizard, rat, goat, monkey, gorilla, fish, or anything else for that matter. Scenting the feeder item will not help its security issues, and that is what is most likely causing you problems here.

Similar to what MyKee mentioned, jumping down his throat will not help the situation. In cases similar to this, whatever the case, I always try to ignore the keeper and what he is doing or done, and focus on the animal at hand. After all, it is the snake I am worried about here. By yelling at him and jumping down his throat, the best you are doing is scaring him away, and thus, taking away the proper care for the snake.

One more time, ignore where people have told you to cover the tank, or anything similar to that - just get him out of there and into a rubbermaid. Do not worry about stressing him more. Also, get a really small hide, for this guy, even something similar to what marisa posted is too big. Keep in mind - small, snug and makes contact with back. You will be better of if it makes contact with the snake all the way around.