Switching Ball Python to f/t mice? - Page 2

vypr · 07-25-14, 06:39 PM

I did some modifications to his terrarium as recommended.
http://i.imgur.com/9RBTyFs.jpg

Added sides + foil on top.
I'll check the temperatures of the right side later, hopefully it gets warmer.

vypr · 07-26-14, 12:22 PM

Just tried feeding him again, he doesn't seem as stressed but he refused the mouse.
I left it in the terrarium for tonight.

I'll wait until Wednesday or so and probably buy a live hopper?

FWK · 07-26-14, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vypr

Just tried feeding him again, he doesn't seem as stressed but he refused the mouse.
I left it in the terrarium for tonight.

I'll wait until Wednesday or so and probably buy a live hopper?

Patience. If he was mine I wouldn't even open his enclosure for a week other than to change his water. Give him time to adjust and then offer food again.

vypr · 07-26-14, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWK

Patience. If he was mine I wouldn't even open his enclosure for a week other than to change his water. Give him time to adjust and then offer food again.

Okay, guess I'm getting nervous of him going off food for so long because he is a baby... but it shouldn't matter right? How long can he go without eating?

franks · 07-26-14, 04:41 PM

He can go without eating until he starts losing weight. Could be months honestly. Get a scale and keep tabs on him. One of the reasons ball pythons can be tough on new snake owners is because it is hard to watch your pet just go completely off food. It is not uncommon with these guys. You can be doing everything right and sometimes he will just not eat- however, this is the time to triple check your husbandry. I would suggest (like the above) that you do not even open the enclosure for a week. Leave him be, give him a day/night cycle. In a week, crank the heat up a bit high during the day, and at night spray down the enclosure nice and good, then put the food in. This generally worked on my ball pythons. Something about this made them hungry and they would cruise for food.
One more thing: I would not give up on f/t just yet. It is so much easier for you and safer for your snake. Good luck.

vypr · 07-26-14, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

He can go without eating until he starts losing weight. Could be months honestly. Get a scale and keep tabs on him. One of the reasons ball pythons can be tough on new snake owners is because it is hard to watch your pet just go completely off food. It is not uncommon with these guys. You can be doing everything right and sometimes he will just not eat- however, this is the time to triple check your husbandry. I would suggest (like the above) that you do not even open the enclosure for a week. Leave him be, give him a day/night cycle. In a week, crank the heat up a bit high during the day, and at night spray down the enclosure nice and good, then put the food in. This generally worked on my ball pythons. Something about this made them hungry and they would cruise for food.
One more thing: I would not give up on f/t just yet. It is so much easier for you and safer for your snake. Good luck.

I'll do that then, good to hear they can go a good time without food.
I have a hydrofarm thermostat, I'll try dropping the temps at night.
Also the right side warmed up after applying sides to the terrarium.

Lastly, the last time I tried feeding him here is what he did the whole time.
http://i.imgur.com/zuWrz1Y.jpg
I tried killing the mouse then feeding it to him, no luck and that's what he does to f/t and pre-killed.
I was way zoomed in and didn't distract him, it's strange. It's like he is scared of his terrarium.

So since I tried feeding him recently I should wait until next weekend?
Some questions about feeding:
1. Should I be leaving the mouse in the terrarium and leave it or should I dangle it over his mouth? I've done both.
2. How long should I try to feed him by dangling the prey in-front of him?
3. Why does he hiss at the prey and breath really heavy? Like he fears the prey?

Also how much day/night time should he have during summer?

franks · 07-26-14, 06:43 PM

Honestly the problem seems like it's with you more than the snake. That's a good thing. I mean absolutely no disrespect vypr- we all had to learn from someone. Your snake is acting like a normal ball python. Some eat right out of the gate and never look back, many don't. Here's what's going on there- your snake is feeling threatened and is perceiving the mouse as a threat, not food. Your presence is not helping. Trying to bait him with tongs is not helping right now either. He needs to acclimate. Many ball pythons will simply not eat if they feel vulnerable, and the process of eating puts the snake in a vulnerable way. Here are a few things you can do right now. It seems there is a little room in the hide. If you want to put a rock in there it may help your snake. I know it sounds wierd but ball pythons like to feel all there sides touching their burrow or hide. The tighter the better. When you go to feed again, try leaving the prey warm and in a hide directly across from him. Put it in when the lights go out and don't check on him until the morning. Whatever you think you can do to make him feel secure is your goal right now. If he feels comfortable enough he will probably eat for you. This is a temporary thing. Once he starts taking food and living through it he will eat with more regularity. Even great eating

franks · 07-26-14, 06:45 PM

Adults will go off food sometimes but once you get your guy eating you can start having a pet snake. Resist the urge to be concerned right now. Just be patient- they come around.

Edit: a day night cycle is not necessary for ball pythons I just think it may help him eat. I like keeping all my snakes on a light cycle but that is personal preference.

vypr · 07-26-14, 06:52 PM

Very informative, no offensive taken... I do suck at snake care.
I'll do what you said and put the mouse in another hide away from him.

I'll also try and find a rock for his hides, there is about double the room compared to him.

vypr · 07-26-14, 07:04 PM

I just used this hide
Amazon.com : Exo Terra Rock Outcrops - Small : Aquarium Decor Rocks : Pet Supplies (Pics on amazon not accurate)

It's literally the size of him, maybe smaller.
Hopefully that is snug, I couldn't find some good sized rocks.

My Milk Snake loved that hide, hopefully it helps make him feel more secure.
I also placed another hide directly adjacent from the other hide with the mouse barely visible.
I am going to need to order another one of those hides if my BP loves it, my Milk Snake probably already misses it.

I also placed a small bulb to heat up the other side of the tank to 75-80f.
Everything should be adequate now. I'll resist the urge to mess/touch/make noises around the terrarium.

franks · 07-26-14, 07:08 PM

He will come around. This is half the fun of keeping a snake.

**Aaron_S** · 07-26-14, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vypr

Very informative, hopefully I didn't do any damage from stressing him out. I am so used to Milk Snakes eating everything it sees. Lol

I'll probably go and buy a live hopper if he doesn't eat my f/t this weekend?

Also I'll get some pics up soon of his place, but he has:
3 hides
40-50% humidity
1/3 90f under the tank heater

I'm going to answer this in a couple posts as I'm too lazy to multi-quote.

Yes I would just go with the live hopper anyway.

If you can up the humidity that would be good too. Another 10 - 15%. A spray once a day would be fine. Just don't spray your lamp.

**Aaron_S** · 07-26-14, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vypr

I'll do that then, good to hear they can go a good time without food.
I have a hydrofarm thermostat, I'll try dropping the temps at night.
Also the right side warmed up after applying sides to the terrarium.

Lastly, the last time I tried feeding him here is what he did the whole time.
http://i.imgur.com/zuWrz1Y.jpg
I tried killing the mouse then feeding it to him, no luck and that's what he does to f/t and pre-killed.
I was way zoomed in and didn't distract him, it's strange. It's like he is scared of his terrarium.

So since I tried feeding him recently I should wait until next weekend?
Some questions about feeding:
1. Should I be leaving the mouse in the terrarium and leave it or should I dangle it over his mouth? I've done both.
2. How long should I try to feed him by dangling the prey in-front of him?
3. Why does he hiss at the prey and breath really heavy? Like he fears the prey?

Also how much day/night time should he have during summer?

From the pic, it looks like your snake is interested. Probably not feeling secure enough to eat yet is my guess without assessing the situation first hand.

Frank has given some good advice.

Your hides are nice and big and he'll grow into them but as Frank suggested they like it tighter and the rock idea is great. If you don't mind the look, for now, you can use cardboard boxes until he's bigger. They just want to feel secure on all sides. (Side note: Ensure you can access the snake so no bottom or removable top)

As for feeding, go with the live for now, 5 days apart. Just drop it in in the evening. Sit far back and watch. Snake should show interest in 20 minutes or less.

vypr · 07-26-14, 09:53 PM

Quick Update -- he loves the new hide.
He is almost too snug! LOL! He seems happy.

vypr · 07-26-14, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I'm going to answer this in a couple posts as I'm too lazy to multi-quote.

Yes I would just go with the live hopper anyway.

If you can up the humidity that would be good too. Another 10 - 15%. A spray once a day would be fine. Just don't spray your lamp.

So I should try and maintain 60% humidity?