Ball Python feeding question

Bordus21 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 12:55 PM

One of my Ball Python has not eaten in about a month and im starting to get a bit uneasy about it... I understand that Pythons will at time fast for anywhere from weeks to a few months but my BP isnt that old and hes getting realy skinny! I have tryed a few feeding trixs like placing him in a small box with the mouse for a about an hour (dont this 2-3 times now) and nothing! I tryed killing the mouse and stunning it but nothing seems to work! He seems to run from the mice. He has never been biten by a mice and I watch every feeding just to be safe. I know everything that goes on in that cage. My other python eats like a champ... any tips?

Fionnan · #2 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 01:17 PM

Are you feeding live prey?

jbt123 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 01:37 PM

If the BP is loosing weight then that isn't a good sign. They do like to "fast" often but they shouldn't be loosing much weight in the process either. Make sure that your temps are correct (that can play a big role) and that he has a good hiding place and a water bowl he can soak in. He might just be overly stressed.

One thing you could do if all the setup is in fact correct is to soak it in warm sugar water...and I mean just a little bit of sugar. Get a tupperware container and line it with paper towels and get luke-warm water and dissolve some sugar in it. Pour it in the container to where the towels are drenched and overflowing a little to create little "pools". Then put your little guy in there and make sure the water stays about that temp (a human heating pad under half the container on low seems to do the trick) and let him sit for about an hour or so. Leave him alone so he feels a little more secure, but try to watch from a distance to see if he drinks the water or not. If he drinks it that sugar will stimulate his appetite and you might want to try feeding him about 10 days afterwards, perhaps soaking him one more time between that period.

Also, do yourself a favor and buy some "Electrolize" water supplement for reptiles from your petstore. It's the same concept as sugar water but it has electrolytes and you can add it to your BP's water bowl. It's also a great appetite stimulant.

This might sound like a strange idea but it seems to work great for my friends who have BPs that are picky eaters (although most are anyway). They like to soak in the water and they drink alot. I think it's a great alternative to force-feeding and other methods.

He might also be scared of really fast live prey. If he's not too big try something smaller and slower (perhaps a fuzzy with it's eyes still closed) and he might be brazen enough to go for it. He might also go for a p/k or f/t mouse offered from tongs.

BUT if he doesn't eat soon definitely take him to a vet and get him checked out. There might be more to this than you think.

fishmommy · #4 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 01:55 PM

I agree - noticeable weight loss is not a normal part of seasonal fasting. Triple-check your temps and humidity and take him to a vet as soon as you can. Take a stool sample with you if you can get one.

bloodsong · #5 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 03:25 PM

As everyone else has said, keep an eye on the weight. Don't just eyeball it thinking that it will start to look thin, buy a scale so that you can catch it before it becomes critical. Definitely get a fecal done if you haven't had one done in the last three months.

Just a tip to the feeding, which is what you wanted in the first place.....

My BP went off feed for almost six months this winter. Has started taking strong meals again just within the last six weeks. Darn groundhog was right! The way I achieved this was to stop taking him out of his tank to feed. I figured that he was scared of his food, just like yours seems to be, running away from even frozen thawed. So I left him where he felt most secure, undisturbed in his hide, and it worked. I just left the thawed feeder (it no longer is picky as to mice or rats!) right outside the entrance to his hide, and walked away. Ten minutes to an hour later, the feeder disappears without fail.

Bloodsong

louise · #6 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 04:10 PM

i would get a fecal done ASAP. he could have parasites.

telefrag · #7 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 04:24 PM

are both your BP's housed in the same cage?

Adrya · #8 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 04:55 PM

If you're housing your ball pythons together, please separate them into their own enclosures. One of them is likely causing stress to the other and making it not eat...

I also agree in that you should take poop samples from each snake to the vet to get checked for parasites.

Bordus21 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 02:21 PM

I just feed him and he took the mouse! Takes some stress off

But this isnt over! Im going to take pop sample in as soon as I get one and keep an eye on him. Im going out to buy a 2nd tank and lamp asap and separate them! I checked the temp and humidity a few time in one day, 75 in the shade and 83-88 under the lamp with 80 humidity. I give them both a warm bath about once a week (and for BP they seem to like it alot). Thanks for all your help and I will keep you all posted on any info as it becomes available.

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