Quote:
Originally Posted by kayleegrace
i am really stressing out because my ball python. yes the one i just posted about. it has been about a month and a half and he still hasn't eaten. i am starting to really freak out. i feel horrible about one rat after another being wasted. i don't know what to do.
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Follow the instructions I posted in the other thread
Nuff Said Mark
edit - sorry i guess that wasn't you? anyhow heres what was posted:
OK as you already know this snake should not have been sold/purchased.
First things first it needs to be rid of all its retained shed deal with that first & also correct the humidity issues causing the bad shed.
A few tips from above or a bath with some help.
Anyhow once it has shed out then worry about feeding.
The fact it is a month old & has not ate is not a big deal.
The fact that it has went into a second shed shows that it was still growing on its egg gut thats IF it is even a month old??? I'm guessing it was maybe a week old & it had not even had its first shed yet, back to the seller obviously NOT being worthy.
A learning experince to ask ALL the Qs prior purchase & take all the sellers info for contact in regaurds to any issues or advice later.
OK ditch the tank right off, you can use that later.
They don't hold humidity worth crap & we are talking about a baby BP that has not fed yet, the tank is too big etc.
You want to set it up in a shoebox rubbermaid at the largest, do so in a low traffic area & have the temps around 90F.
No substrate other than papertowel, a couple toliet paper roll hides & a low delicup for a water dish.
As for prey it should always be offered at night & left with the snake.
Forget about pinky mice they are far too small, heck forget about mice altogether for that matter. This is a snake that you want to eat rats so start it on rats, don;t even offer mice.
Baby BPs fresh out of the egg can take rather large prey right off, some folks start them on small adult mice afterall or fuzzy rats.
I recommend getting a live Pinky Rat to begin with & put it in with the snake overnight in its rubbermaid.
DO NOT move it around to try & feed it (no delicupping overnight etc.) it will just stress it out, do not handle it until it is feeding well either, zero notta.
Basically leave it alone & try once weekly to feed, do not pester it with prey.
I'd alternate attempts between live & FT P rats only once per week.
don't even try until its had a few days to chill after dealing with the shedding issues.
If FT is used ensure it is heated up nice & warm approx 100F offer it with tongs showing the prey to the snake & doing a quick tease & then just leave it if it is not taken right away.
A month is NOTHING for a baby Python & they will quite often go 2-4 months prior taking anything depending on the specimen.
did you ask if it is even captive bred/hatched? It could be farmed (captive hatched) or worse yet wild caught even.
Buyers need to be on their toes & ask ALL of these things plus to look at a feeding record that includes dates & prey items as well as a hatch date.
Anyhow good luck with it & hope it feeds right off for you.
BPs can really SUCK as feeders at the best of times & babies can be hard to start.
They should be well established on FT prey prior even being offered for sale or only offered for sale to another experienced breeder with all the details & they can establish it. Mark
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