Switching Ball Python to f/t mice?

[vypr]

He is shedding now, I thought since he was 3 weeks old when I got him he wouldn't need to shed for awhile. He showed no signs of shedding (no blue eyes, pink belly, etc).
I placed a big container full of water (slightly warm), the humidity is 75%. I sprayed down the whole terrarium.

[FWK]

I've only raised one BP from a hatching but it shed every four weeks like clockwork for the first six months or so. Yours may have just had his second shed. It doesn't seem likely it was his first unless the breeder you got him from is really shady. But then he said he didn't have time to switch it to F/T so who knows... I've heard of snakes who shed without ever showing signs of being in shed but I've never seen it myself. Either way he has been in a shed cycle the whole time you've had him and that is probably just another part of the not eating equation.

Originally Posted by vypr

Another update for awhile -- the pre-killed mouse I left in his a hide across from another hide he was in didn't work out. He actually slept right next to the mouse in the same hide, curled up next to it.
I removed the mouse and I will not mess with the terrarium for another week.

You are only adding to his stress by repeatedly offering food when he has made it clear he isn't ready to eat. Follow through on leaving him alone this time. Cover the front of the tank to remind you to leave him alone if you have to.

[vypr]

Originally Posted by FWK

I've only raised one BP from a hatching but it shed every four weeks like clockwork for the first six months or so. Yours may have just had his second shed. It doesn't seem likely it was his first unless the breeder you got him from is really shady. But then he said he didn't have time to switch it to F/T so who knows... I've heard of snakes who shed without ever showing signs of being in shed but I've never seen it myself. Either way he has been in a shed cycle the whole time you've had him and that is probably just another part of the not eating equation.



You are only adding to his stress by repeatedly offering food when he has made it clear he isn't ready to eat. Follow through on leaving him alone this time. Cover the front of the tank to remind you to leave him alone if you have to.

Yep, other than misting and replacing water I'll not mess with his terrarium.
Next weekend he will probably eat

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by vypr

He is shedding now, I thought since he was 3 weeks old when I got him he wouldn't need to shed for awhile. He showed no signs of shedding (no blue eyes, pink belly, etc).
I placed a big container full of water (slightly warm), the humidity is 75%. I sprayed down the whole terrarium.

Don't buy from this "breeder" again.

Anyway it looks like the shed may have stopped the eating. It's okay. I would just offer a new pre-killed meal on Wednesday.

[vypr]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Don't buy from this "breeder" again.

Anyway it looks like the shed may have stopped the eating. It's okay. I would just offer a new pre-killed meal on Wednesday.

He did seem kind of strange, I just purchased from him because he was selling his BP for $20.

So far he seems to be doing better, his shed seems to have went well... but there is still a bit of flakiness, nothing too serious.
I am also thinking of upgrading to another substrate that absorbs moisture better, is Repti Bark good?

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by vypr

He did seem kind of strange, I just purchased from him because he was selling his BP for $20.

So far he seems to be doing better, his shed seems to have went well... but there is still a bit of flakiness, nothing too serious.

It's a sign your humidity is low is all. I know you didn't know he was shedding so don't worry about it this time.

When you notice the next time I would dump the water dish into the enclosure then refill it. It's what I do with my bins and I get perfect sheds every time.

[vypr]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

It's a sign your humidity is low is all. I know you didn't know he was shedding so don't worry about it this time.

When you notice the next time I would dump the water dish into the enclosure then refill it. It's what I do with my bins and I get perfect sheds every time.

It's very wet and humid, but about you saying feeding him penkilled on Wednesday.
I probably won't be able to go to the let store for a bit, should I retry f/t or what?