Just Venting

[schmelkdog]

I've got a BP that refuses to eat f/t. It's my fault, when I first got him I fed him live mice and now if it ain't running he ain't striking. All our other snakes eat f/t,,,,,god bless the columbian cause I have the feeling he'll eat anything!! Last night I tried braining the small rat, even stuck them in a bag together, nada! I've tried scenting, tried feeding it one small live mouse and then make the rat dance for him, nothing. If I walk in the room with a live mouse in a box he's out of his hide and vibrating right away,,,,,the warm dead rat dancing in front of him I get about as much reaction from him as my wife gets when she talks to me during a miami hurricane game! I'm getting tired of wasting rats on the dude but he's to the size he needs rats any idea's or suggestions, or just words of encouragement I'll take but basically I just needed to vent.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[ann0306]

Well, now that I know you're not listening when I talk to you, you're on your own babe!

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[schmelkdog]

um, well, ah, it was just an expression,,,,,,,ah sorry honey.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[python04slayer]

Balls are stubborn little (censored). You should thaw him out a rat and put it with him in his tote for about a hour and just shut the door in the room he's in and then check on him in about a hour. Be sure not to do so much as open the door or disturb him in anyway.

[schmelkdog]

I've tried, the stubborn little bubba refuses. Last night I even brained it, put em both in a sack and stuck em all in the cage and he refused. He almost cowers from even a dead rat,,,but take it away and he's all over the cage wondering if a mouse is coming. Which is what makes me leave em in there all night sometimes and then I have to throw the rat away. I love my ball, I really do but dang bci's are way easier!! thanks for the support.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[JuliusSqueezer]

The problem likely has nothing to do with live v/s f/t but rather Mice v/s Rat. They smell different and preferences do occur one way or the other. I've had snakes that would starve to death before taking either but would snarf down the other. Fortunatly, you are dealing with a ball python and have nearly a year before you need to get overly concerned about starvation. He really does need to be on rats and certainly f/t...so once a week or so, try it but no sooner than weekly. I also wouldn't handle him at all till he eats a few times. Wiggle it..leave it. couple of hours later...wiggle it again and leave it if he doesn't take it and check back in the morning. Another thing you might do is to get some shavings with urine and feces from a mouse cage, place a thawed rat in the bag and shake it. This will leave some mouse scent on the rat and perhaps fool him into thinking he got his way

[pathfinder36]

BPs will go off feed for a LONG time occasionally. Offer prey ONCE a week at regular feeding schedule times. If he won't eat after 3 months or so, then we may want to take some other measures. Even at three months, it's not really critical unless he's notably emaciated. BPs have been known to go off feed for no apparent reason for 8+ months!

Few things that can help:
-Proper temps\husbandry
-MINIMAL handling : BPs stress VERY easily. Just leave him alone until he eats a few consistent meals.

Also, e-mail LdyDrgn. I know she has a ton of experience with BPs.
-Put his enclosure in a VERY low traffic area.

[pathfinder36]

JS beat me. =)

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[schmelkdog]

I've wondered about that. I know they can go for awhile. Had one once that didn't eat for nearly 3 months. Still I can tell he's lost some weight in the last month, but maybe he was just to fat

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[schmelkdog]

pathfinder, and everyone, thanks,,,,,,,,,I sent LdyDrgn a message asking for her advice. Basically I know I'm stressing more than he is. Come Sunday the BCI will make me feel much better by chowing down about 5 seconds after seeing the dead rat!

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[pathfinder36]

Look up LdyDrgn's E-mail. I haven't seen her here on a regular basis for a while, so she may not get a PM soon enough for you.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters