Anyone know about ball pythons?

Question

Is it oh kai for a ball pyothon that is 2 years old and almost 3 feet to eat like once every 2 weeks?

Also is it normal for a ball python to stay in its hide spot ALL THE TIME...my snake doesn't come out at all.

Answer 1

Try and feed him whatever his normal schedule was before you got him. Also, it depends on the size of the food, if he gets enough he won't want to eat till it's digested.

Yes, this is normal, they are nocturnal snakes. He is sleeping and probably doesn't want to be disturbed to much. Wait until the evening to take him out.

Make sure you have that cage properly setup, it should be very humid, with two heat zones (one around 90, the other around 80). If the snake stops eating, looks like he has little 'dimples' on his eyes, or if he isn't shedding in one or two big pieces (if when he sheds it just flakes off) then he's dehydrated and the cage isn't humid enough.

Answer 2

I have a ball python the same age as yours.  Mines over 3 feet though (about 3' 6") and he eats about once every 2 weeks.  I feed him 2 mice every 2 weeks, though in the summer it seems like he needs more.  Snakes tend to eat more in the summer and less in the winter.  So maybe do 3 mice every 2 weeks in the summer and just 1 in the winter.  And yes, my python also stays in his hide spot all the time.  They are real lazy, so make sure to take it out at least once a week so he can get some exercise.

Answer 3

2 weeks is plenty for any snake. They can even handle waiting longer. If you want him to grow faster, then feed him once a week, if you want him to grow slower, you feed him once a month. Make sure its a good size rat you are feeding him though. In terms of your snake being more reclusive, pick him up and hold him a little each day and then it doesn't matter if he chooses to hide out because at least he is getting some kind of attention from you.

Answer 4

Some ball pythons as they grow older begin to eat less. This has to do with the size of prey, as well as the particular python. Each snake chooses to be hungry on their own schedule and if he only wishes to take food every 10-14 days, its best not to stress him trying to offer more frequently. My albino will only take food every 15-20 days, and I choose not to bother him with the rat otherwise because then I risk a semestre of hunger-strike.

Check that your temps and humidity are correct [(78-80F/88-90F)-(60-80%)] and that he has his two hiding spots, if all is well in your husbandry, then its just the snake being schedule-picky and you shouldn't worry.

Ball pythons are nocturnal. Most of them will spend all day in their hiding spots all day long, until its eveneing. I've had pythons that refuse to leave the sactity of their boxes unless all is dark and quiet outside. Your snake might be coming out while you sleep. If you have a glass tank, cover the sides and back with a background paper and that might encourage him to peek out.

Answer 5

Ball pythons are created when Ball lightning strikes a python.  The glow bright blue and it hurts to pet them.

Answer 6

It's normal for him to hide most of the day (they're nocturnal), but he should be more active when the lights go out.

At that length he should be feeding on (rodents the same diameter or slightly smaller around than the fattest part of your snake) Large mice to medium or large rats once every 10 to 14 days. My 3 footers are feeding on medium to large rats (not jumbo rats).

Please ignore the gentleman that said it should be very humid. 40 to 50% humidity is what you want, and 60% during sheds. I'd hardly call that high.  Too high of humidity and you run the risk of scale rot.

Answer 7

I have one who is about 2.5 feet and he is eating 3 mouses a week. i think the ones he eats are about 3 weeks old. they are not hoppers cause they are too big... and they are not full grown... they are still babies. Ball pythons dont eat weekly. as long as he is of a good weight and his skin is not dried out or *hanging* off his body... I would not worry about it.

Imma get slammed for this one, but... my *elvis* does not have a hide. On one side... he has some plants... that is where the light is... on the other side is nothing, and no hide. and in the middle he has a bowl of water. He sits under the plant normally in the morning, and at night he is on the other side... he is always warm to the touch. I have never had him a hide on either side.  He is doing fine with his setup the way it is.

You could take him to the nearest reptile store and ask them if he looks ok if you would like to, but im sure he is ok. they should be able to help you out with getting him eating better. DONT EVER LET SOMEONE TELL YOU TO FORCE FEED HIM!!!

Answer 8

Well it is ok to feed him like that only if he looks healthy but I would never recommend feeding him like that unless it is like a large or jumbo mouse or meduim rat(something big to fill him up). Just like a growing teenager, the older they grow, the more they have to eat. So if you do feed him once every 2 weeks then try feeding him as much as he wants. So he would be full and there will be no problem. During the winter time, most ball pythons don't eat(at least mine doesn't either) so it is fine but when spring comes around they should be eating. Ball pythons can go up to a year without eating is it is nothing to really worry about.

And yes it is normal for them to stay in the hiding spot. It is just probably because there is to much light. Have you tried turning off the lights at night? Ball pythons are nocturnal animals so they only comes out at night. If you want, just go and look at him at 3am in the morning and I'm pretty sure he is out.

Well hope this could help you!

Answer 9

usually when ball pythons eat, it takes a long time to digest. So when they go to the bathroom in there cage, Get a new mouse and it will be time for them to eat. if they don't eat the mouse it's ok it just means he isn't hungry. Or if he strikes at it and doesn't do it again, it means it's a bad mouse. and if he eats it and it's bleeding remove the mouse and get a new one.

Answer 10

you can feed him every two weeks but i would recomend 7-9 days cost more but more healthy and yes all ball pythons are in their hides 24 7.