I just got a new ball python snake 3 days ago. I think it is stressed because it won't move around in its cage. Today is the day it usually eats. I put the snake in a cardboard box with the pinky mouse but it is not eating it. How long should I wait before I take the snake out and put it back in the cage? How long should I wait till I try and feed it again? And what should I do with the pinky mouse?
2007-08-17 11:19:02 · 8 answers · asked by HannahMarie420 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Sometimes when I feed Spencer and he won't eat it then I have to make it look like the mouse is alive and tease him with it.
Take a pair of metal tongs and slowly rub the mouse along your snakes side until he grabs a hold if it.
If still no interest, then he is not hungry.
I came home one night and found Spencer staring at me threw the glass, he was in a literal Z shape and it was unnerving to say the least. He was hungry and wanted to be fed.
If you handle them to much, it does stress them out and they won't eat.
If the mouse is too hot or to cold the snake won't eat.
Another thing to keep in mind, while the mouse in still in the bag, run your finger up the mouses abdomen until it pees on itself. That will encourage the snake to feed.
Yours sounds very young. When he goes threw his first shed, keep in mind that shedding is natural but the first one is very painful. Keep your humidity level high and it may take a few weeks or a month for your baby to eat again.
I feed Spencer when he is hungry, usually about twice a week. I and going to be starting him on baby rats soon, he is too fat for the large mice and is too hungry so I'm getting him bigger food.
2007-08-17 11:46:35 · answer #1 · answered by Here I Am 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ok all new snakes need at least a week (7 days) to adjust to their new homes and humans. They will absolutely not eat until then. He should not be handled before then either. If he chooses not to eat later on, dont panic. Snakes do this. Sometimes they eat and sometimes they dont. Adult snakes can survive four months without food so if he doesnt eat every week religiously its ok. You should offer food once a week though whether he eats or not. If he doesnt eat the pinky, it can be stored in a plastic bag and frozen until the next time. Just defrost it in a bowl of warm water before offering it to your baby again.
2007-08-19 14:14:27 · answer #2 · answered by Moon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They will eat ABOUT once a week or so during the summer months and will go dormant during the winter, NOT eating for up to 4-5 months! However, if he will not eat, do not fret. Leave him in the feeding box up to 20 minutes and then remove. You can try this once a day until he eats or wait a few days. Sometimes, they will only eat every 2-3 weeks....It's a give and take thing and they require alot of energy and time. I suggest you get a small hampster cage or something to keep your feeder mouse in until your snake decides to eat. You can get CHEAP pine bedding for the mouse and a little food and water (a gerbil type water bottle). Cheers and good luck Bud!
2007-08-17 11:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by I Have Parasites 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would try it in about another week. Don't worry they won't starve. They can easily go 3 months without food in some cases a year! But I advise to take it to the vet if it don't eat in about 2 months.
2007-08-17 15:03:00 · answer #4 · answered by Corey P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off how big is the ball i am a ball python breeder and i only give my neonates and runts pinkies second off you want to give the snake a week to get acclimated to its new surroundings so, after the week is up try feeding it again
2007-08-17 17:33:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
is the prey live? I had a python who has small and wouldnt eat so he died. I also had a baby kingsnake that wouldnt eat frozen pinkies so we got him an alive one and when we came home, he was DEAD of starvation. Y R U putting hom in a box? If you drop a alive one in front of his face ( a few inches away) he probably will eat it. I ve also heard of giving them goldfish to eat, have you heard of this too???
2007-08-17 11:27:25 · answer #6 · answered by Me!!! 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If today is Wednesday and you fed him monday its fine you can hold him Good Luck!!!
2016-03-17 01:34:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/
http://ballpython.com/page.php?topic=ballfaq#7
Both have good advice
2007-08-17 12:37:20 · answer #8 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
idk but you wanna smoke this blunt with me?
2007-08-17 11:23:48 · answer #9 · answered by kevlar1 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋