About Ball Pythons?

Question

So a few questions about Ball Pythons..

1. I just put a frozen mice in it's tank about 3 hours ago and the last time it ate was about a week ago and I held it a bit prior to putting the mouse in, how long will it be before it actually takes the mouse?

2. Temperature ; 85-90 degrees in the basking area and around 80 in the cold area, does that same about right?

3. How can you tell if it is sick? I mean what are the main signs ie. Not eating, not being very active or not so cooperative when you go to handle it.

4. I got the ball python about 2 days ago and have held it quite a bit since then, should I still be handling it or wait a bit till it's more settled into it's home.

Thanks for the help, and yes I know I am being a bit over concerned :D

Answer 1

1. If he hasn't eaten the mouse in 15 minutes, take it out. You may want to try to make it more appealing by warming it up, or moving it around in front of him. It isn't uncommon for a python to be finicky eater.

2. Sounds fine.

3. Its tough to tell when a snake is ill because they have a preservation instinct to hide signs of illness, until it is no long possible. Not eating is common in pythons, so that may be a misleading sign. Lethargy, breathing with an open mouth, not eating with significant weight loss, etc are signs of illness. Also, check the consistancy of the bowel movements. They should be pretty solid.

4. Its best to give it a few weeks to settle in to avoid stress induced illness. Leave him alone for a bit, and let him get used to the environment, and then you. I'm sure he'll be a fine, well-adjusted little guy.

Answer 2

Hello; I am a Ball python owner; so I should be able to help on this one. ;)

1. I just put a frozen mice in it's tank about 3 hours ago and the last time it ate was about a week ago and I held it a bit prior to putting the mouse in, how long will it be before it actually takes the mouse?

While some Ball pythons will take it within an hour if you leave a warmed up frozen/thawed mouse in front of their hide and leave them alone; for many snakes you need to get a pair of tongs and move the mouse a bit so that it looks like it is alive in order to trigger a feeding response. Ball pythons are also a bit funny about their handling/feeding responses; none of mine will eat if I have handled them within the past 12 hours or so.

2. Temperature ; 85-90 degrees in the basking area and around 80 in the cold area, does that same about right?

That is a tad too cold, which could also be the reason behind it if your Ball python doesn't seem interested in food. Ball pythons need a basking spot of 88-93 degrees with an ambient (background) temperature of about 80.

3. How can you tell if it is sick? I mean what are the main signs ie. Not eating, not being very active or not so cooperative when you go to handle it.

Here is a website that lists signs of stress and illness in reptiles: http://www.anapsid.org/signs.html

4. I got the ball python about 2 days ago and have held it quite a bit since then, should I still be handling it or wait a bit till it's more settled into it's home.

It is generally recommended especially with a shy species like Ball pythons to leave them alone for at least a week to settle in before you start handling them.

For further reading; here is an excellent resource on Ball pythons, common problems (and how to fix them), general information, and care tips: http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide

I hope this helps, and if you have any further questions at all on the subject; please feel free to message me and I will be more than happy to assist you. :)

Good luck with your new Ball python!

Answer 3

Well, i am a ball python breeder and owner, so i think i can help you out.

1. Ball Pythons are extremely finicky eaters! I've had a limited amount that actually take frozen, and even then they seem to grow out of it. All my snakes take live, and in that way they almost ALWAYS take it. Feeding live is much better for the snake, the freezing process kills important enzymes the snakes body needs. I would honestly just get live food, go to a Petco or a mom and pops type place and its no more than 3 dollars.

2. temperatures are great!

3. Snakes can live for up to a year without eating. Sometimes they dont eat because they are stressed in anyway. Theres many signs of them needing medical attention or proper care, such as, icky scales, sores, puss near nose and mouth, not shed in one piece, odd p**p, wierd movement, wheezing when breathing, theres quite a few more but those are key to look for.

4. It might be a little stressed, but im with you, i couldnt resist my first time. It will be just fine, no worrys.

I hope this helps you. Good Luck!

Answer 4

you need to warm up the mouse to body temperature.  The way I do it is to heat a bowl ( or some type of container) of  water (but not to boiling.)  Then I double bag my mouse ( to prevent it from getting wet and soggy) and put the 'baggy of mouse' in the hot water for about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how big the rodent is. Sometimes I have to reheat the water because it cools off before the mouse is ready.    I want the mouse  to feel warm in my hand.  When teh rodent is ready, I take a pair of tongs and dangle it in front of my snake.   He will strike and take the mouse and then wrap himself around it.  I leave him alone at this point to let him digest his mouse.  You want to not handle them a day or two after they eat, or you  might get your mouse back;-)

You never want to feed a reptile frozen food because it will decrease their body temp too much.  

Never handle a mouse and then reach in to your snake's cage!  Always wash your hands becuase your snake can still smell the mouse and you will get bitten!  I know this from experience.  

Your cage temp sounds good.  If your snake has a rattling sound when it breathes or "star gazes" which means it props his head up on the side of the tank, it may have a respiratory infection.  Also, if it has cheesy looking stuff on the edges of its mouth and refuses to eat, it has mouth rot.  Both of these conditions will require a vet call.   One thing with ball pythons is humidity.  You want to keep it above 60% or you will have shedding problems.  

Ball pythons are not overly active snakes, especially after they have eaten a meal.  When you see the snake crawling all over the tank, it is generally hungry!