Imagine owning a pet that possesses the uncanny ability to unhinge its jaw and devour prey whole. Although it is not compulsory. Hey Ben, Ive had my ball for about 10-11 months now. Let me know what you think of if you think that could be it and its nothing to worry about. Hey Ben, I wouldnt be surprised if she began eating regularly and calmed down a bit when handled once she sheds. Eventually, they'll loosen their grip, let it go, and start eating. Everything Ive read since then has said young ball pythons shed every 4-6 weeks. Fascinating, right? Ive noticed he holds his head up slightly for about a minute or so at least once or twice a day. Check that your temperatures and humidity are correct. This may save you a bit of money if your vet agrees that it is probably not a problem. I just bought my hatchlin ball python yesterday and the pet store said that it was feeding day Also make sure that you are not coming from above when you want to handle him, their biggest predators in the wild are birds and this can cause them to freak out. Unfortunately, explaining how to do this is not easy! 3. You should be able to feel your snakes ribs, but they should not be visible in most cases. He seems to be healthy, without any tick infestations and respiratory infections. 1. Make sure that the temperature in his enclosure is not too low, and provide him with fresh clean water. So I have a female ball python that just laid a clutch of eggs on the 25th of July and she refused her meals for a couple weeks. The cooler area of the enclosure should not drop lower than 75 F (24 C), while the warmer basking area should stay between 88 92 F (31 33 C). If you attempt handling it when it is stressed, it will get grumpy and would want to defend itself. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. He wasnt yawning no spit bubbles no wheezing funny noises or breathing hurdles. It is crucial to prioritize the snakes well-being and avoid unnecessary handling during this period. Biting is the behavior that often elicits the most attention from new keepers. Having read all this, maybe you have realized that you have been underfeeding your pet ball python, and maybe thats why it is still moving around after meal times. The head was another problem. Theres not much you can do about this besides let him breed, or just wait until his urge passes. Hi, Patricia. Regardless, if she just did it for a short time period, I wouldnt worry too much. Hey man, my ball python is 6 months old normal feeding schedule but for the past two days it has been acting way different His temperatures never go over 75 on the cool side and around 85 on the warm side. 2) Something in the water was toxic or noxious. Ball Python Feeding Tips | ReptiFiles' Ball Python Care Guide I checked back in a few hours later and found him using the mouse as a pillow. And she will probably sleep during the day more than she will at night ball pythons are crepuscular to nocturnal in the wild. I brought him to the vet because hes been absolutely restless in his tank every single night since the temperature change lately- understandable behavior. 2) It sounds to me like your ball pythons food refusal is more closely related to stress than food size. Let me know if you have any other questions. Could there be any disease/health issue that causes him to be on the warmer side less, or is it just normal for him to curl up on the cool side? Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am in the north east not sure if he is just going on a winter hunger strike or if I should be concerned. There are several factors that can cause stress in ball pythons. I have a juvenile ball python that we bought at the end of October. If he is not eating well, this can also impact his shedding cycle. Let your snake rest for 2-3 days after eating before handling. I just got my ball python a week ago. Thank you so much in advance and any tips help since this is my first ball! Ive had her 4 days now and have only handled her to adjust her tank twice. Dont handle it during this period so you dont end up stressing it. I have just recently bought my first ball python she was captive bread by a local breeder and i have red alot and wanted to educate myself to the fullest as this was going to be my first snake it has been a very fun journey learning all the stuff Ive read and have found snakes in general to be quite fascinating however some of the things ive read in other places and even here dont exactly match the behavior of my snake like at allfor example i know pythons in general are pretty nice in nature for the most part and as u stated before they bite you will know they are uncomfortable.mine doesnt seem to get uncomfortable by just about anything young children other pets in the house like a dog she has not snapped drew back into the s form or nothing no matter what she has encountered since ive had her. "Feeding live mice/rats will make them more aggressive" NOPE "It is normal for Ball Pythons to go off feed" . Each ball python has a different temperament, however, and therefore, one particular ball python may be extremely aggressive in comparison to the norm. It doesnt sound like anything you need to worry about! Another concern is that he used to be so sweet to handle. Hi Ben, Ball pythons are originally from west and central Africa, and they prefer some trees and grasslands, rather than scorching desert terrain. Like he doesnt have much control of his muscles he is falling off of stuff because he cant grip that well. I tried to feed him several times when he seems active. By now feeding is only necessary every 28-56 days. Ben is a life-long environmental educator who writes about the natural world. This means that a simple chest cold can quickly prove fatal in snakes. 2. If the squeaking persists, take him to a vet for treatment. My Ball Python Is Suddenly Acting Aggressive, Causes and Solutions. Any advice? If you notice your snake frequently urinating or defecating outside of its regular schedule, it may be a sign of ongoing stress. Your python may experience stress because of the time spent transporting it to your home, so you should try not to handle it until it adapts to its new environment. Congrats on your new snake! If your female snake is healthy and you have the time and resources to take care of the resulting offspring, I say go for it! Also, I do my best to give my snake the best possible care by my best knowledge, so if theres any errors in my husbandry youve noticed feel free to point them out and Ill correct them. Blowing bubbles from the nostrils or mouth, Staying near the heat source more often than usual. . Dont worry: Your snake isnt going to starve in a few weeks time. Proper Handling Tips for Optimal Health and Bonding, How To Get A Ball Python To Eat Bigger Prey? As a general rule, you should wait for at least 24 and preferably 48 hours after feeding your snake to handle him. Back in July of 2020 I rescued a 4 year old breeder male ball python. He is probably just hungry. Most importantly, just keep trying and experimenting with the way you present the rodent. Also, in case this is your first snake, it is important to understand that many snakes (particularly ball pythons) arent especially active. Today was a nice day in Ga maybe high 80s/low 90s, so I took him out. Recognizing and addressing stress in ball pythons is crucial for their overall well-being. However, some common causes of spitting in snakes include dehydration, respiratory infection (RI), foreign body ingestion or regurgitation, and stress. Make sure to give them climbing opportunities in their enclosure, and when you have them out, to help strengthen their muscles. Additionally, the spine and ribs can provide clues to the snakes body condition. If your pythons enclosure is too hot, you may find that it constantly gravitates towards the cooler side. Humidity can range anywhere from 50-75 depending on if Ive just sprayed the cage down. Is it normal that she hasnt shed and shes been refusing to eat? He has the proper temperature (cooler side sitting at about 75 degrees and warmer sitting around 92), has 2 hides and a water dish. We offer him the rat every 3-4 days and are going on month 2 of not eating but overly active. This behaviour could definitely be signs of a respiratory infection or another underlying condition. Hi, I just got my ball python about three weeks ago and have been noticing a few small things here and there and am wondering if I should be worried or not. Gently stroke the ball pythons body to calm it down after eating. I think Im familiar with the behavior your describing. Good luck! But it probably wouldnt hurt to head to the vet to double check everything anyway. Never seen my BP do this, hes 5 years old and always has good sheds and eats no problems, but Ive noticed him kind of contorting his head and neck and yawning while flexing his jaw at the same time, similar to what they do when a bp farts, but he was just doing the head motions, no puffing or hissing like an RI at all. And unfortunately, they are both extremely common and extremely difficult to eradicate particularly for snake-keeping novices. Im afraid hes going to accidentally cause himself to regurgitate. Or what it will cost to bring him to you for an emergency visit?? Dont worry about her not shedding yet when the time is right, and her body is ready, shell slip out of that skin. Speak with your vet about it, if you are unsure whether your snake is getting enough food. Either way, its important to be careful when handling your snake to avoid getting bitten. Hi again! I tried feeding him in a separate enclosure, at night, in the morning, outside in the yard. That usually means hes interested in eating you just have to get him to pull the trigger. Why Is My Ball Python So Active After Eating? Understanding PostMeal For that matter, some keepers are simply better at handling snakes than others! Changing a snakes enclosure can definitely cause some upset, so 10 days of not eating is fairly normal. I dont know if it is a sign of relaxation, weakness, or appetite. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Feeding Ball Pythons 101: Feeding Chart, Diet & Schedule When it has reached a weight of 200g it can progress to a rat pup or adult mouse of 20-30g and this can be given every 7-10 days. I read that two sides of a glass enclosure should be covered so they dont feel like they are too out there, one side is pushed up against the wall though. Thanks for taking the time to get back to all of us. Ive never experienced thos one with my previous ball. They have different habitat requirements and its crucial for their well-being to meet these separately. Ive has him for over a month, have gone through the first shed, feedings etc fine. This not only creates a thoroughly disgusting mess, but it is also stressful for the snake. The change in environment can sometimes cause the animal to become stressed and it can take some time for them to acclimatise to their new surroundings. Kudos to you and your boyfriend! Following these handling and care tips will help maintain a friendly relationship with your ball python and reduce stress levels for both you and the snake. Its the 31st now and im not sure if he is still settling in or not but he wont eat. I recently took my BP to the vet for a check up.
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