Help..

snakers55 · 06-22-04, 05:26 PM

I have a ball python that was dropped off a few months ago (just a baby, CH) and was in very rough shape. It had scale rot under a layer of improperly shed skin and had retained eyecaps. All of this is cleared up, but my problem is that I can't get it to eat regularly for me. It will feed occasionally on fuzzy mice and has taken maybe 2 rat pinkies. The first few mice I force fed it with no problems, but the rats I have are a little large. I have tried leaving the rat under snakes hide with success once in awhile, squeezing some guts out so the snake can get a better smell and some other obvious attempts. It was feeding better when I had it temporarily in a rubbermaid container with a hide, water bowl and paper towel, I have it now in a 24" neodesha cage, could switching back to the rubbermaid help??

mykee · 06-22-04, 09:31 PM

Yes, switching back to a rubbermaid would help. The smaller the enclosure for a non-eating baby, the better. I would also stop force-feeding, I wouldn't wanna eat if I had food shoved down my throat. Let him do it on his own. That is surely stressing him out, and making the problem worse. Rat pinks are too small for any sized ball, try a live, RESTRAINED rat fuzzy. If he takes it, slowly work your way to f/k and then f/t.

CDN-Cresties · 06-22-04, 09:50 PM

Good advice to follow from mykee. I dont have very much experience with BPs but my guy will only eat if I cover the rubbermaid in a dark towel. I think that this makes him more secure, give it a try, its worth a shot. Good Luck.

snakers55 · 06-23-04, 07:35 PM

I will try the suggested.. It is back in the rubbermaid.. I havn't force fed it for about 2 months (and did actually just now before I read this) because he is getting fairly skinny. This snake is only about 9" and rat pinkies seem fair sized for now, until he is eating on a regular basis. The ball strikes a lot at the rats off tongs (I think I entioned that) so any chance that it is simply too small a meal and it just can't grab it well enough??

mykee · 06-24-04, 12:12 AM

A 9" ball? Are you sure, they usually come out of the egg measuring 12-16".