My snake was eating but after it started shedding skin it wont eat i would like to kno why doesnt it eat...And i also didnt have a light back then so it was usually cold too......
2007-10-10 15:06:43 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Balls are finicky eaters at the best of times, and they won't eat when (a) it's too cold, (b) when they're going in to shed (check their eyes for cloudiness and their bellies for a pinkish tinge - means they're about to shed), and (c) when they're not hungry. Warm up your tank to about 95 degrees during the day, 80-85 at night (keep one end of the tank cooler than the other). My ball used to eat immediately upon shedding, so I would hazard a guess from what you describe that your ball's tank isn't warm enough. They do like it warm.
2007-10-10 16:35:54 · answer #1 · answered by magichorselover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shedding can cause snakes to stop eating. After the shed is when to worry!
The Ball Python will typically eat mice when small, and mice, rats or gerbils when full grown. One feeding per week is sufficient
PRE-KILLED prey items only
If your ball python refuses to eat, these are a few tricks that have worked for other ball python owners:
- The pillowcase: Try putting the snake, with the mouse into a pillowcase and leaving it undisturbed. With less distrations, the snake is more likely to eat. Check in half an hour, and see if the mouse if gone.
- The wet mouse trick: Remove the water from the terrarium, and wait a day. Soak the mouse in water, and then when the snake licks the drops of water from the mouse, it may be encouraged to eat.
- Washing: Sometimes, it is the scent of the mouse that disturbs the snake. Wash the mouse several times with soap and water, and make sure it is well rinsed. This removed the strong scent, and your snake may then eat.
- Attractant: There are a few products on the market that can enhance the scent of the mouse. Just put a couple of drops onto the mouse, and then leave it in the cage. Make sure you don't get any on your fingers!
- Live Food: This should be a last resort. Some experts feel that feeding live prey to your snake will tend to make it more aggressive. In addition, the mouse or rat can injure your pet. Furthermore, once you have fed it live food, it is very difficult to get it back on to pre-killed meals.
When should you worry?
If your snake has been eating, and starts refusing, it is not immediate cause for alarm. The ball python can go months without eating. They typically stop eating during the winter, so if the humidity or temperature in their terrarium has changed, this may result.
As long as your python is not obviously loosing weight, don't rush to force feed it. If you are in doubt, bring the snake to a vet and get a professional opinion.
Goldie
2007-10-10 23:49:38 · answer #2 · answered by AnimalManiac 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's very common for any snake not to eat before/during/after shedding. A healthy snake could survive 5-10 months without eating!
If it's older, they usually don't eat AS much anyway.
2007-10-10 23:50:32 · answer #3 · answered by Wendy D.V.M. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal for them not to eat around shedding time. Wait for a few days then try again. Snakes need belly heat. Get an under tank heat pad made for reptile tanks and a good digital probe thermometer to measure temps at glass level. Attach the UTH pad to a thermostat or dimmer switch to adjust temps to desired degree. A red or balck light can be used at night for supplemental heat if the house gets very cold, but don't use white light at night.
2007-10-10 22:45:29 · answer #4 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he wont eat right away right after he sheds. feel the skin of the snake and see if its cold, if it is then hes prlly freezing but you say he has a heat bulb now so he should be nice and warm. a number of things can result in off feed... do you turn his bulb off at night?? reptiles should get half daylight and half night time light. this avoids alot of stress as snakes love the dark. does he have alot of hides? again a stress thing. wont eat if stressed. how often do you feed him? once a week shoudl do it. but if he just shed he prlly wont eat for another 2 days. hope it helps
2007-10-10 22:19:05 · answer #5 · answered by domlococokills 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some times after shedding they do not like to eat for a couple days. I suggest you try to feed it till it will eat. More then likely it is just due to shedding and will come around.
2007-10-10 22:45:20 · answer #6 · answered by hmm78 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a ball python that wouldn't eat for around 4-5 weeks after molting...it's not uncommon..as long as he is warm, and has room to curl around, he should be fine, just offer him something once a week or so; he'll eat when he's hungry..
2007-10-10 22:14:55 · answer #7 · answered by someoneelse04 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
small animals like rats, hamsters, gerbils ect. small ones eat about every 7-10 days or so....older ones less.....possibily once a month.
2007-10-10 22:15:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋