Why Your Ball Python Won't Eat - Feeding Picky Snakes

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GoHerping

GoHerping

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер
@GoHerping
@GoHerping 6 жыл бұрын
Did I forget anything? Have more suggestions? Leave other ideas for ball python keepers (myself included) in the comments!
@westonshook1568
@westonshook1568 6 жыл бұрын
Can you do a tour at the end of the year?
@elijahjacinto3047
@elijahjacinto3047 6 жыл бұрын
Love your channel it's inspired me to learn as much as I can about herps
@levithornton6482
@levithornton6482 6 жыл бұрын
I know you said that you don't like moving the snake when feeding and I agree, but I have had a ball python go off feed and after trying a long list of things, I on a whim tried feeding her in a bin and she took it immediately. Ball pythons are so picky lmao. Hope Sunny eats soon!
@SquashFairyLion
@SquashFairyLion 6 жыл бұрын
Have you tried chicks or quails. my snake went off food for a while to i sourced frozen quails and she started eating again and i was able to get her back to mice. Or Sunny could be an egg bound girl? are you sure hes actually a boy?
@dollymb7311
@dollymb7311 6 жыл бұрын
Something that actually worked (for my milk snake) was putting her in a pretty small container with a thawed mouse and covering it. Now she only eats if I feed her this way. I think it might just be that she's more focused on the mouse and the scent is more intense in a small space.
@Mystic_Sanctum
@Mystic_Sanctum 6 жыл бұрын
*Doesn't have a Ball Python, doesn't plan on getting a Ball Python, won't be able to have a snake for at least 4 years* Me: I must know all this information
@jaclynbacci8361
@jaclynbacci8361 6 жыл бұрын
You'll thank yourself later :)
@ethansmith2264
@ethansmith2264 6 жыл бұрын
Same
@denissepaez493
@denissepaez493 6 жыл бұрын
ME TOOO
@leonabarisic184
@leonabarisic184 5 жыл бұрын
Oh I know xD I'm prob never gonna get a snake but this is so interesting, I've been watching him and his friend for weeks now when ever i can. I just have to know everything, just have to
@lienqwq5754
@lienqwq5754 5 жыл бұрын
I’m watching the video because when me and my friend graduate all our schooling, we are gonna be roommates and she wants a ball python
@misadventure5216
@misadventure5216 6 жыл бұрын
To anyone that is crazy, sadistic, or very bad at listening *DO NOT CUT OR BRAIN LIVE RODENTS* . Only do so to frozen rodents and only do so if your animal is really starving or on the brink of starving. Most of the time it is completely unnecessary.
@howellaboutno9500
@howellaboutno9500 5 жыл бұрын
Misadventure I mean it’s fine to brain a frozen rodent if your snake isn’t eating and even if it isn’t on the brink of starvation. But if course don’t do it to live rodents.
@catfood2
@catfood2 3 жыл бұрын
Good god
@xxyy1318
@xxyy1318 2 жыл бұрын
Don't blaspheme.
@jessem.5867
@jessem.5867 6 жыл бұрын
Rubbing the mouse against the carcass of its fallen brother sounds pretty fun.
@taeviansworldofreptiles3828
@taeviansworldofreptiles3828 6 жыл бұрын
lol!
@peeblekitty5780
@peeblekitty5780 6 жыл бұрын
how to traumatize your pet rodent 101
@lienqwq5754
@lienqwq5754 5 жыл бұрын
Lol
@joeymilfenjoyer
@joeymilfenjoyer 5 жыл бұрын
Weekend plans
@Dehalove
@Dehalove 4 жыл бұрын
Not sure funny is the right word
@yipyipish
@yipyipish 6 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere, but a technique I used to get picky ball pythons to eat while I worked at a pet store, was to use some used rodent bedding and rub it onto F/T rats. Idk why it seemed to work pretty well for even the pickiest eaters. I would go as far as to bring the used bedding home from work for my own bp's, throw it in the microwave for a couple of seconds, then let the hot rat sit in the hot bedding for a bit. I talked about this method with some customers (and maybe sort of became their rodent bedding dealer) and they would come back telling me it worked! Maybe that'll help Sunny!
@peeblekitty5780
@peeblekitty5780 6 жыл бұрын
Interesting, and good tip. But all the sources I've heard from say you shouldn't use a microwave to heat up your snek's food. If it's not cooking the rodent and you know how to make it work, that's fine for you, but if any new/soon-to-be snake owners are reading, you'd probably want to go with warm water or a blow-dryer.
@peeblekitty5780
@peeblekitty5780 6 жыл бұрын
@Steve Gee o h .
@TheCharleseye
@TheCharleseye 6 жыл бұрын
I did this to get one of mine from mice to rats. Went to my local pet store and got some used mouse bedding. Rubbed the f/t rats in the bedding before feeding and sure enough, she ate without a problem. No issues and no gaps in feeding after that.
@Niyyscott
@Niyyscott 5 жыл бұрын
Imma try that
@melissaleigh9119
@melissaleigh9119 5 жыл бұрын
I just commented this same thing. It worked for me when nothing else would. The only hard part was convincing my local pet store employee I wasn’t kidding and really wanted the used bedding. I just let the mouse thaw in the used bedding in a bag, shook it once in a while. Never had a problem getting a snek to take one.
@gta.shizzx3479
@gta.shizzx3479 6 жыл бұрын
No nutrients november
@fog2628
@fog2628 5 жыл бұрын
One of the best comments I've seen lmao
@kaiijak
@kaiijak 5 жыл бұрын
this aged nicely
@TheTwistedTraceur
@TheTwistedTraceur 5 жыл бұрын
@@kaiijak i m here because of my bp doing Nnn... getting panicky
@gta.shizzx3479
@gta.shizzx3479 3 жыл бұрын
@@fog2628 hahah
@levihuttner3260
@levihuttner3260 3 жыл бұрын
😭
@ryaquaza3offical
@ryaquaza3offical 5 жыл бұрын
I’ve got a ball python and I love him to bits but, when they don’t eat it’s probably the most stressful thing I’ve experienced, I’m not sure if this is because I’m a worrier or I’m used to my other snakes which are all absolutely great feeders (I currently have a burm and a corn, but I did have a gaboon for ages too) but when he did his yearly fast for the first time, or last year when he decided not to eat for 3 MONTHS!, I’ve never experienced anything more stressful in my life Ball pythons, Easy, cheap, beautiful, well mannered and amazing animals But if your a worrier like me they can be a pain Still love you Tango, you fussy beaut
@pepepal2012
@pepepal2012 4 жыл бұрын
Ryaquaza 1 I understand what you’re going through I have juvenile male BP and he would eat weekly or if he refused one week he’d eat the next then around December he refused to eat at all unfortunately I wasn’t able to switch him to F/T successfully now it’s January and he still won’t eat and I’m STRESSED
@shea2655
@shea2655 4 жыл бұрын
Rocio Villegas That's like the most common time of year for a bp to go off feed. I wouldn't stress too much about it.
@NeonAmnesia
@NeonAmnesia 4 жыл бұрын
I hope I don't die panicking lol, I worry about my fish acting slightly off than usual. Can't wait to own a snake tho
@0FynnFish0
@0FynnFish0 4 жыл бұрын
Mine bites (me) like crazy and hasn't eaten for 3 weeks now. Shes only two months old and I can see her spine already. Get a ballpython they said. They are docile they said. It will be fun they said.
@jerrypaulwhite
@jerrypaulwhite 3 жыл бұрын
is your Ball Python a Male? My males are a bit more nippy than my females. not accurate information just my own experience.
@TheHPExperiment
@TheHPExperiment 6 жыл бұрын
I got pretty lucky, my ball python is like the chillest BP in the universe. He was being fed live from the breeder that I got him from and he switched over to frozen/thawed with me no problem. And he's had no problem switching back and forth between mice and rats (though I try to keep him on rats). I always put a paper towel down in the enclosure before feeding my snakes and so I've effectively trained them to anticipate food when they see the paper towel. And it's no exception with my BP. When I place the paper towel in his enclosure, he shoots right out of his hide ready for food time. He hasn't skipped a meal since I've had him. *KNOCKS ON WOOD*
@renees766
@renees766 6 жыл бұрын
I put down a paper towel too and now mine is trained to expect food when he sees it :)
@bluewingsprite
@bluewingsprite 5 жыл бұрын
This is called positive reinforcement and bridging. Your snakes now associate the paper towels with dinner, and a positive experience.
@Bri-gq3lx
@Bri-gq3lx 5 жыл бұрын
I am super excited to hear that your BP is super chill! My sister's was one of the picky eaters. He would only eat mice, and only live ones. Though aside from eating he was a VERY chill snake! I assume he still is though I haven't actually seen or handled him in a few years as I moved away from home. He only ever struck anybody once. He stress tagged me one time and that was only because we was in a new environment. We gave him a couole weeks to settle in, and he absolutely loved people. His favorite thing to do was to play hide and seek in hoodie pockets! I will say BPs are one of my favorite species, and I hope to get one of my own some day though I will more than likely wait until after I have children and said children are old enough to comprehend and respect them because like all animals you must respect them in every way possible and handle them with care. :)
@guardiansanimalrescuestate7289
@guardiansanimalrescuestate7289 4 жыл бұрын
TheHPExperiment great idea.
@jimmyl27
@jimmyl27 4 жыл бұрын
“Ball pythons are picky eaters” Me, boiling some mac and cheese: Don’t worry, I know what to do
@thatswhat6305
@thatswhat6305 6 жыл бұрын
-sunny entered the game- "So..want food?" -sunny left the game-
@lukekitchen4859
@lukekitchen4859 6 жыл бұрын
I should be sleeping but Goherping uploads at midnight. Sleep can wait.
@GoHerping
@GoHerping 6 жыл бұрын
:D
@previously4821
@previously4821 6 жыл бұрын
It’s 11 pm for me but close enough
@taeviansworldofreptiles3828
@taeviansworldofreptiles3828 6 жыл бұрын
LOL Priorities!
@kaylahaley9382
@kaylahaley9382 5 жыл бұрын
You ison
@jamesstewart3941
@jamesstewart3941 4 жыл бұрын
I just got a bp yesterday and today is his feeding day and he is a young snake as in baby and it has to heat live mice for a bit but I think it's a rat
@taeviansworldofreptiles3828
@taeviansworldofreptiles3828 6 жыл бұрын
My first BP went 12 months with out food! It almost turned me away from the hobby to be honest lol.
@themalaymenagerie3350
@themalaymenagerie3350 6 жыл бұрын
mine went 3 weeks without eating and I cried
@taeviansworldofreptiles3828
@taeviansworldofreptiles3828 6 жыл бұрын
@@themalaymenagerie3350 wait what? lol
@themalaymenagerie3350
@themalaymenagerie3350 6 жыл бұрын
@@taeviansworldofreptiles3828 haha silly typo 😂
@icegodskittles
@icegodskittles 5 жыл бұрын
My girl hasn’t eaten in 6 weeks and I’m getting worried cause she never missed any week before this lol :(
@alienkingv9727
@alienkingv9727 5 жыл бұрын
I got my baby ball python 3 weeks ago & she hasn’t eaten yet but my cornsnake has. I’m getting a little worried tbh.
@notme5501
@notme5501 5 жыл бұрын
I don't understand how so many people are afraid of snakes When i look at the clips of your ball pythons face i can't help but think it's really adorable
@hardflip
@hardflip 3 жыл бұрын
yuh
@CarlosHernandez-nh6km
@CarlosHernandez-nh6km 6 жыл бұрын
One thing that helped me with my first ball python was leaving it on the substrate floor for a few minutes instead of tongs. At first I attempted tong feeding but he wouldn't take the mouse. After a week of trying a few things I eventually decided to just leave the mouse on the floor in front of his hide and after a minute or two he started taking the mouse. After this he started taking from tongs regularly. Might be worth a try for anyone having issues.
@sillyminicat
@sillyminicat 6 жыл бұрын
Ball pythons are the cutest snake
@sillyminicat
@sillyminicat 6 жыл бұрын
Hey jeff kaplin from the overwatch team
@Cookiecuttershark-xx
@Cookiecuttershark-xx 6 жыл бұрын
Nah hognoses take the cake for cutest snake THEN bps
@some_creature2643
@some_creature2643 6 жыл бұрын
nice profile pic bro
@sillyminicat
@sillyminicat 6 жыл бұрын
Ohmygodwerebrothers
@denissepaez493
@denissepaez493 6 жыл бұрын
they have puppy noses
@bitbug0996
@bitbug0996 6 жыл бұрын
Can we get a cactus update please 😂😂❤️🌵🌵
@oliviamalerich462
@oliviamalerich462 6 жыл бұрын
It probably burst into flames already...
@adriansimington6756
@adriansimington6756 5 жыл бұрын
:(
@oliviamalerich462
@oliviamalerich462 6 жыл бұрын
Adding a heat lamp was the key for me! I burnt a hole in my carpet, but the house hasn't burned down so I wouldn't let that fear stop you from adding one.
@projectice521
@projectice521 5 жыл бұрын
Animallover3541 OMG THAT WAS THE FIRST THING I DID WHEN I GOT MY SNAKE, I WAS DUMB AND WAS LIKE “hello snekky boi” AND THEN I LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE CARPET
@jamieson009
@jamieson009 5 жыл бұрын
Great video. My 18mo ball python is at 6 weeks without food and still a pretty healthy weight. Some good ideas and a bit less stress for the keeper after watching.
@meithekuma9490
@meithekuma9490 6 жыл бұрын
Hopefully gonna get my own Ball Python soon so I’m just compiling a ton of resources on their care... thanks for the additional info!
@meithekuma9490
@meithekuma9490 6 жыл бұрын
Geronimo McDuggins aha thanks for the tips! I need to get the enclosure and supplies together and then I’ll start looking! I have a couple breeders and local pet shops already in mind!
@venumbra1177
@venumbra1177 6 жыл бұрын
Same here, the only thing preventing me from getting one is my cat because my parents and I are worried about him getting to/hurting the snake. I still love my cat to pieces though, he's a total sweetheart with people lol
@meithekuma9490
@meithekuma9490 6 жыл бұрын
TheRogueRaptor1177 haha as the owner of 5 cats I completely understand!
@anymoose42069
@anymoose42069 5 жыл бұрын
theyre too busy dealing with their emotional problems
@4quall
@4quall 6 жыл бұрын
Not sure if someone suggested it but ... I'm an old snake owner and worked with Ball pythons amongst others species for 40 years . Coming into the breeding season plus the added fact that they come from draught heavy areas in Africa can trigger going off feed naturally. Not the only reasons as you went through quite a lot on this video. I have seen it with WC and captive breds as well but back in the day they (CB)were actually the harder of the two to come by. So we were use to seeing them going off their feed. The tricks we used were offering day old Chicks you can usually buy at feed stores/farm supplies. Or the favorite we used. Gerbils as they are found in the same exact habitat as the Royal A. K. A Ball Pythons. It would always trigger them to eat. Not sure if you even read comments here Haha but it's worth a try and if he doesn't eat you can give them to the next hungry predator you have. Good luck They will get spoiled on chickens so only use it as a kick start. You should freeze them to kill any potential parasite if you do use them regularly.(most times they are cheaper than mice and rats) I have never had an issue apart from my 37 year old Boa(had since a neonate) who got parasites from one.
@4quall
@4quall 6 жыл бұрын
There was another reason. In my life I never had an issue. I saw some creep once say to remove the teeth of mice and rats and feed them live for the same reasons. Bullshit dude. No one is doing that in the wildyet snakes survive. Pythons eating deer antlers and all aren't having issues
@nikkiloveslife5661
@nikkiloveslife5661 5 жыл бұрын
I've had my BP since May and I love him, very active, very healthy looking, had a great shed, hasn't eaten yet. This is my first BP and yes I'm concerned and trying consistently.
@sernabot2790
@sernabot2790 5 жыл бұрын
I got my first bp and he hasn't the first week home ND I'm already worried 😣
@jezekiah7807
@jezekiah7807 6 жыл бұрын
Yes I 100 percent agree with force feeding any animal. Unless it is absolutley necessary. I had to force feed a blue tree monitor, but he is fine now.
@Myshelley1000
@Myshelley1000 6 жыл бұрын
You my friend, are a hero! And right on time too! I just got my first ball python roughly 2,5 weeks ago and I had the luck of getting a picky eater. I still love him to death, but it is frustrating to not have him eat since I want him to be healthy and give him the best care possible :(
@lailacekstere3397
@lailacekstere3397 4 жыл бұрын
Did you made your snake to eat,and how?
@mathewwebb522
@mathewwebb522 5 жыл бұрын
Good vid. My snake didn't eat for 10 months and didn't loose weight at all. Also no health issues. She's back on food again now. I also don't believe in force feeding. These snakes are amazing. Great vid thanks for posting
@dr.karasuoverhaul6963
@dr.karasuoverhaul6963 6 жыл бұрын
Mine always waits for me to handle it to defecate -.-
@soomiko
@soomiko 5 жыл бұрын
Lmaooo
@420flores
@420flores 4 жыл бұрын
I have been stressing SO much about my baby not eating cause hes never done this before, you have calmed my nerves so much thank you!
@420flores
@420flores 4 жыл бұрын
So moments after I made this comment I went to check the humidity and temp again and my boy ate the thawed rat I left in his cage...guess he decided he doesn't like being fed by tongs anymore lol 🙌🏼
@kaysaballard8761
@kaysaballard8761 5 жыл бұрын
I LOVE THIS BOI seriously you are just too cute! I mean you're super knowledgeable and this is a fantastic resource but you're just... so good to your animals and you seem like an amazing person. Keep up the great work
@GoHerping
@GoHerping 5 жыл бұрын
thanks!
@caro4544
@caro4544 6 жыл бұрын
I don’t even own a snake but I’m still gonna watch bc it’s Alex!!!
@GoHerping
@GoHerping 6 жыл бұрын
:D
@youwouldntgetit2618
@youwouldntgetit2618 6 жыл бұрын
Caroline Moreno you should! There awesome!!
@caro4544
@caro4544 6 жыл бұрын
This is why aliens don’t talk to us I wish!!! I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I already have a leopard gecko, chameleon, 2 fish tanks, and two cats so I don’t have room for a snake right now :/
@youwouldntgetit2618
@youwouldntgetit2618 6 жыл бұрын
Caroline Moreno aww that sucks /: Hopefully you get one soon! 🙏🏽
@AnitaJobby
@AnitaJobby 3 жыл бұрын
I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, mate! For those who still worry about Royals not eating properly, I tell you the example of mine. I got Mr Houdini in June 2020 and at that time he was around two years old. He took his first rat without any problems whatsoever. The next 4 feeds he was good as gold. Once we hit September, he simply refused to even touch it, e.g. "brumation." I tried everything under the Sun to the point he got me worried sick. Anyway, the long story short is that he hasn't touch his food for slightly over 11 months. During this time he's lost 20 grams. Not pounds, grams. So yeah, don't worry if your Royal Python doesn't eat. It is what it is. Obviously, unless he/she is sick. Good luck, love you all.
@guardiansanimalrescuestate7289
@guardiansanimalrescuestate7289 4 жыл бұрын
Love all the clips of Sunny in this video. He’s so adorable.
@Horse4738
@Horse4738 6 жыл бұрын
My first ball python (and first snake I've ever owned) went off feeding for 8 months at one time a couple years ago. He never lost any weight, stayed right around 800 grams, I was trying everything I could to get him to eat but nothing seemed to be working. I brought him to a vet, and like you mentioned in this video, he told me to just keep trying lol. He's always gone off and on of feeding, he's always been slightly underweight but not dangerously underweight. I've recently gotten him to eat again by offering pinky mice (even though hes a 4 ft male and that's nothing to him) just to get his metabolism going again, and then braining the medium rats I usually feed, and he'll usually take them immediately. My BP gets very stressed very easily, so when even one little thing in his tank is off, he wont eat. I really just wait for him to "tell" me when he's hungry, he'll poke his head out of his hide when I walk in the room and start peeking around looking for food haha. Good luck with Sonny! :)
@nayomix4797
@nayomix4797 6 жыл бұрын
Some other tip for your snake to try to, cover the tank for one week completely and then try feed, worked for one of my males who went of food for a few months here and there. A full cleanout of the tank then feed a day after worked for another, a move to another tank, bigger or smaller with lots lots of clutter, covered sides and only open front. You probably tried or know this but a few tips that got mine to eat ^^ But something ive heard alot of ppl say is that sometimes a move can do the trick. I bought a picky pied male that has been force fed al his 1 year old life. But he eats like a machine here al by him self, he just needed a new enviroment.
@mistygoodwin-q5i
@mistygoodwin-q5i Жыл бұрын
My snake is young but looks very much like sunny as far as color and pattern go. And it hasn’t wanted to eat for several weeks now. Thank you and the commenters for all the advice. Hoping to figure out what works best for my snake!
@aidanwright9143
@aidanwright9143 5 жыл бұрын
I love your videos you are by far better than any other reptile channel because you seem like a very good pet owner and you like to make sure others are taking good care of their pets keep up the good work I am 15 and I plan to open a reptile shop and a business
@turbobiscuits6548
@turbobiscuits6548 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tips I had my ball python for a little over a month now and he didn't eat but he finally took a few minutes ago thanks love your content keep up the great work
@PumpkinSpicedHorrorShow
@PumpkinSpicedHorrorShow 6 жыл бұрын
Wow this is incredibly timely. I was literally watching a video about feeding snakes to figure out how to get my new baby ball to eat and this pops up. I’ve waited the week and let her alone to get used to her new home as I’ve been told to, but she seemed totally indifferent. SO ANYWAY. I will watch this now.
@whinywhoree6570
@whinywhoree6570 6 жыл бұрын
InsidiousPaperclip new baby ball pythons most often won’t eat for a few weeks upon bringing them home. I would suggest not touching her at all until her first meal as well. That makes a huge difference
@nashvillebones7717
@nashvillebones7717 6 жыл бұрын
i just went through same thing with mine baby ball python.. it took a few weeks for him to eat but he would not take to anything i was feeding him.. after talking to the people i was informed to look at assist feeding.. so i believe he is too small to take from tongs (long tongs from pet store) or hasnt learned it yet.. but the assist feed has been successful with pinkies!
@nashvillebones7717
@nashvillebones7717 6 жыл бұрын
(assist feed) i do not shove the pinky in the throat! i place the head just before the throat and if hes not going to eat he will spit it out, if he is going to eat he will slightly coil.
@PumpkinSpicedHorrorShow
@PumpkinSpicedHorrorShow 6 жыл бұрын
harlow jean okay, thank you. I figure I’ll give her another week or so being left alone in her tub, then try again. Because they told me she’d been eating f/t hoppers once a week and to feed her those for the next two/three feedings before switching to rats. I bought a bag of ten hoppers so I have some leeway until she finally decides to eat. Glad I went with that rather than only buying three mice, then having to go get more after she refused them. I’ve only had a corn snake before so even though I’d heard of balls being picky it’s hard not to stress about her not eating. It’s also hard to resist holding her but I want her to be happy and healthy so I will refrain.
@PumpkinSpicedHorrorShow
@PumpkinSpicedHorrorShow 6 жыл бұрын
Nashville Bones oof I’m not going to try assist feeding unless she’s losing weight or starts acting wonky. It’s only been a week and she seems fine otherwise so here’s hoping I don’t have to resort to that. I’m glad that worked out for you though!
@BigBoy-kf2dh
@BigBoy-kf2dh 6 жыл бұрын
This was a very informative video, Well done! You didn't leave any stones unturned. Keep us informed on how your snake is doing.
@BryceBroom
@BryceBroom 6 жыл бұрын
Great video! One of mine went off for 9 months and the best thing that eventually worked is I didn’t offer food for like 2-3 weeks cause I find they tend to learn that food is coming every few days, so they decided to go on a fast because they know that food will come and they can eat one day when they feel like it😂 so I break that habit with skipping a few weeks of feed and then I try a live rat pup (which sucks) but it seems to work and it won’t harm the snake. Then keep on rat pups for a while then go over to frozen thawed and slowly build back up to the desired size rodent.
@allenjones1947
@allenjones1947 6 жыл бұрын
Dannnng smol boi is getting big
@girlie294girlie
@girlie294girlie 6 жыл бұрын
Your ball python is absolutely beautiful. Love the morph and on top of that there is iridescent glow on her scales
@ballpythonsarecool5437
@ballpythonsarecool5437 4 жыл бұрын
That's not a girl both sunny and smokey are boys
@ballpythonsarecool5437
@ballpythonsarecool5437 4 жыл бұрын
Smokey is the yellow belly mojave and sunny is a yellowbelly
@_ZeroQueen_
@_ZeroQueen_ 6 жыл бұрын
Whenever I think about snakes I think how much I love ball pythons and then I remember they are picky about food and go off feed and I get discouraged.
@jasoncombs9607
@jasoncombs9607 5 жыл бұрын
I’m a new BP owner. Her previous owner said she takes over 10 minutes to strike and wrap every time she eats (she was on live rats). We highly prefer feeding frozen thawed and the previous owner didn’t think that would ever work. We bought a couple of frozen rats and each time we tried to feed we jiggled it in front of her face trying to get her to strike. It didn’t work. Tonight, we thawed another rat and tried the same thing. Again, didn’t work. So we laid the rat down right in front of her and walked away just to see what happened (laughing like yeah right, no chance). As SOON as we backed away, she slowly and gently went up to the rat’s head and she started eating immediately. I’ve read some snakes are so shy they don’t prefer all the excitement of the strike and wrap. I hope this continues. This is the easiest thing ever!
@dominotheballpython4969
@dominotheballpython4969 5 жыл бұрын
Omg I found a pet store that gives proper care! I researched a lot and we went to a pet store and I knew if they told us false info I could tell so we went there and they gave excellent care and things I think it is bc they specialize in reptiles and fish they are called green tree pet center in Clarksville Indiana I really recommend them!
@purebloodgirl1
@purebloodgirl1 3 жыл бұрын
This was super useful thank you! I have a 19yr old and she was starting to freak me out by not eating (it’s been 3 months) but I will try those techniques you mentioned!
@yourmom-jj9bm
@yourmom-jj9bm 5 жыл бұрын
Honestly, I’ve been really lucky with my BP (a pastel leopard male). I got him when he was just over two months old and when I got him, the breeder already had him on pre-killed rats and he switched right away to f/t! He has an amazing appetite and whenever I start dangling the rat from the tongs, no matter where he is in his enclosure, he will strike and coil the rodent within the minute! He is my first reptile as well so I’m so thankful we haven’t had any problems! (*knock on wood*)
@fraxinus_ash
@fraxinus_ash 6 жыл бұрын
I think it's also worth mentioning that all supplies of frozen rodents are not made equal, even from the same suppliers their quality can vary. From the way the rodents were cared for (or not) to them being thawed or part thawed in transit (potentially multiple times), I find some things **seem** to be less appealing to the more discerning snake. I raise my own mice and multimammates so I can provide freshly killed if needed but even my "home grown" frozen rodents are preferred to ones I have bought elsewhere.
@TheCharleseye
@TheCharleseye 6 жыл бұрын
It's unfortunate that we have such variance in this area. As you said, the best way is raise your own feeders but that's well outside the realm of what most people can/will put into feeding their snake. All other sources are a shot in the dark, unless you know your local rodent breeders and trust their husbandry.
@jezekiah7807
@jezekiah7807 6 жыл бұрын
My ball python Nubiti has never refused food, but its still good to learn about this!
@melissaleigh9119
@melissaleigh9119 5 жыл бұрын
You can also get the used bedding from mouse enclosures at pet stores and put your frozen thawed mouse in a bag with the used bedding and shake it around and leave the frozen thawed in the bag for as long as you can. It’s another less graphic way to scent the frozen thawed. I’ve had success with this when nothing else worked.
@Adventure_bayarea
@Adventure_bayarea 6 жыл бұрын
I got my first ball python a few weeks ago and he was being fed live pinky mice so I purchased frozen pinky rats to switch him over to frozen thawed rats and he has eaten two meals now I'm so happy he did not have any issues
@xeniahaberditz5472
@xeniahaberditz5472 6 жыл бұрын
Hey Alex, thanks for your videos, always great work !! I've been following you for quite a while now and since I got my BP in February, your advices have been so helpfull.
@renees766
@renees766 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the advise n thanks for telling us about Sunny! It means a lot when we know that ur facing the same issue.
@mizumomochi
@mizumomochi 6 жыл бұрын
We got a ball python about 3-4 weeks ago and she REFUSED to eat Turned out she wanted to eat in her tank and ate perfectly fine
@MandieMeekhof1977
@MandieMeekhof1977 2 жыл бұрын
I am surprised that there isn't a live mouse or rat smell spray for tricking a snake into eating frozen.
@deebee8918
@deebee8918 6 жыл бұрын
My 2 girls are rescues that were previously fed live. A while back one has gone for a year and a half with one assist fed meal and the other 7 months. They're good girls. And I'm going to try live very soon. I think it may be a seasonal thing though, as about 2 months ago they were eating quite well.
@stephchester9195
@stephchester9195 3 жыл бұрын
This is so helpful! We have a 6 year old female royal python and she hasn't eaten for five months and we started to worry. We changed her to a larger vivarium just after her last feed in December and she has not eaten in her new vivarium. Temp and humidity is great, she's lost no weight and seems happy but it's certainly frustrating 🤣 so this definitely eases us! We offer every two weeks regardless but she's just not interested at all 🤷🏻‍♀️
@oneinamalonereads
@oneinamalonereads Жыл бұрын
I wanted to make a call to the vet - first time ball python owner, she's about 4-5 months (born late dec I think) and 115 grams. After a rough first couple weeks of no eating and a shed, she ate for a month straight, and now it's been like 5 weeks since she last ate and I definitely am feeling nervous for her Dx - I'm gonna try getting her more secure hides and braining a rat to see if those work
@kirakinloch4022
@kirakinloch4022 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I got a ball python on black friday that hasnt eaten in 4 weeks. Got it anyway to save him. This video came at the perfect time.
@whiteboymafiaofficialbehin2455
@whiteboymafiaofficialbehin2455 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you this was very helpful my power went out and his temp had dropped a little and he has been under his water bowl lately because he does not have a proper hiding spot I will buy him a cave and make sure it stays warm I will also try feeding him at night
@mikerich32
@mikerich32 6 жыл бұрын
Try using African Soft Fur rats (often called ASF's), they are a natural prey of ball pythons in their native environment and I've heard that that works sometimes.
@mikerich32
@mikerich32 6 жыл бұрын
Also, try increasing his enclosure temperature a bit. Sometimes male ball pythons will go off of food if the temperatures are even a little bit low because they think it's breeding season and focus more on finding a mate than eating.
@coolkcroyale
@coolkcroyale 5 жыл бұрын
I think you can also put a bunch of used mouse bedding (make sure the bedding still smells like mouse/rat) and put it in a plastic ziplock bag with the mouse/rat you are going to thaw. Then you can thaw it how you regularly would (with hot water in a cup and putting the bag in the cup). I think this should make the mouse/rat smell more like a real mouse/rat and will make the snake more likely to eat it.
@froge168
@froge168 6 жыл бұрын
Hol up ain't it like 1 AM over there Alex? What you doin' man
@alexandriarhodes604
@alexandriarhodes604 6 жыл бұрын
He's probably jacked on caffeine lol
@pineapple_kid2570
@pineapple_kid2570 6 жыл бұрын
Hes doin' the opposite of sleeping
@techne360
@techne360 5 жыл бұрын
He does say at one point that 10 is early for him to wake up. Maybe he's a nocturnal reptile? 😂
@stevenwood1904
@stevenwood1904 6 жыл бұрын
I tried just about everything in this video already, my ball python died from starving itself. I didn't force-feed it because literally everyone told me not to, I should have.
@TheCharleseye
@TheCharleseye 6 жыл бұрын
Maybe, maybe not. There could have been a source of stress (where did you keep its enclosure?), it could have been a strong smell that was putting it off feed (people rarely realize how strong the odors in their own homes are), or any number of other things. If your snake didn't have a disease, infection or parasite, then the only reason it would have starved to death is something about its environment. That's not to say that you necessarily did anything "wrong," just that something seems to have gotten overlooked. That probably sounds harsh and I am sorry if it offends you but too often people rush to claim there was something wrong with the animal (especially reptiles and such) when it actually boils down to the husbandry. That doesn't help to serve the animals we care for, at all.
@lorgagssertao4036
@lorgagssertao4036 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the info! Great video mate! Good luck with Sunny
@baozi8865
@baozi8865 6 жыл бұрын
Very thorough video. Thanks, Alex!
@luvvlyssa
@luvvlyssa 6 жыл бұрын
Btw ily goherping😂 I’ve watched you since u first got sunny and sounded like a fetus and it’s been amazing to see how much you’ve grown
@viperadevorah
@viperadevorah 5 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the video Alex! I was kinda worried about my BP he refused his food over 6 weeks now today i got a beautiful 1 big piece of shed from him. After that i tried to feed him (few hours later) he refused it again now he has to wait til next week i will try something different like something from your vid i hope he eats :)
@phanzy78
@phanzy78 6 жыл бұрын
They are nocturnal and so is their natural food. Those vents in the nose detect life as well as heat. So I heat the thawed thing up to a live body temperature on a candle warmer. No do not cook it. I also feed that hot meal around dusk, almost immediately after the day light has gone but it isn't black yet. I drop it at the burrow with the head pointing in. On occasion very fast tapping with a chopstick on the underside of the cage directly under the food will do wonders. Also, if you have windows and natural light pay attention to when they go off feed, they do notice sun cycles. Edit to add... You can also use the stun method. You knock the food unconscious so it can't fight back but still puts out life signals. When I've done this I stand by with my chopstick incase the food wakes up so I can put the chopstick between the food teeth and snake to prevent bites. I had to do this with a redtail for a year and it does work pretty well. The fastest least traumatic way to stun for all involved it a sufficient wack to the skull.
@richardbarber4804
@richardbarber4804 2 жыл бұрын
I need an updat from op. Did your snake eat or not? How long did he go for??
@heatherjohnson9346
@heatherjohnson9346 5 жыл бұрын
My snake Noodles, hasn't eaten for the past month. I try and feed him every weekend. Last night he finally took it after an hour long puppet show, and frequent dips in hot water. Mind you I had to re-heat the water a couple times. We just moved in January though so I thought maybe he was just stressed out from the move. Or maybe he was just off feed, not sure. I'm just relieved he finally took it.
@tastyrecipesonabudget1689
@tastyrecipesonabudget1689 2 жыл бұрын
When did the Ball Python start eating and what worked ? How he’s doing now ?
@amaartiflex1439
@amaartiflex1439 6 жыл бұрын
is it okay to use pebbles for ball python substrat or is coco fiber better ?
@anita9532
@anita9532 5 жыл бұрын
Coco fiber is better. The rocks will be bad at holding humidity
@scottfrancis7428
@scottfrancis7428 3 жыл бұрын
Try ASF rats for picky eaters as well. 2 years ago we picked up 2 snakes about the same weight and she has eaten more regularly than him and he is 300g less than her. He for the first time has eaten 3 times in a row with the ASFs. He was in a tub for 8 minutes with a regular rat and wasn't interested and only took him about 30 seconds when I dropped in an ASF rat. The other nice thing about the ASFs is when your snake is on a small rat the rat will not outgrow your snake.
@jase123111
@jase123111 4 жыл бұрын
Dim the lights, light some candles, play romantic music and put red roses in its tank...
@legowall-e8881
@legowall-e8881 6 жыл бұрын
I got my ball python from Pet Smart… He’s been doing well though
@martinhall199
@martinhall199 6 жыл бұрын
You should do a bio active tank for goldie and how to keep it alive cause my bioactive enclosure died fast
@joshuatrejo2384
@joshuatrejo2384 6 жыл бұрын
“ sounds very gross that’s because it is very gross “ 😂
@WhistlePigZILLA
@WhistlePigZILLA 6 жыл бұрын
My girl wouldn't eat the frozens for a long time, so I put a few live mice in the cardboard carrier in her tank for a few minutes before offering her the frozen and she jumped right on it. After a few feedings she got used to the food coming around at a certain time, I guess, because she eats frozens just fine now
@b0g3rt
@b0g3rt 6 жыл бұрын
Another thing, instead of force feeding a rodent, I have a ball python who didn't eat for 4 months, and I took him to the vet to see if he was sick or anything. She gave me some protein powder, which you just add water too, and I fed him that for a while and he seemed to regain his appetite after that. He didn't enjoy it, but it seemed better than force feeding a mouse to me.
@Determination5977
@Determination5977 2 жыл бұрын
Mine was annoying, he ate frozen rats, but he would skip weeks (mostly around winter). I'd try to heat it up as best I could, use a hair dryer on its face - and he MAYBE would eat it. Half the time I just left it in the enclosure, and threw it out if he wouldn't. If he ate two weeks back to back, that was a miracle.
@cometu4793
@cometu4793 6 жыл бұрын
A friend of mine has a ball python (10+ years old) that regularly fasts during the breeding season but last time he went off of food for 8 months just like Sunny, which was pretty intense. He was completely fine and didn't lose a whole lot of weight and was still the same perky and alert snake he always was whenever he was handled. I feel like Sunny is just going through the same thing, just a prolonged fasting time. If that's the case then I wouldn't be worried at all because once he comes out of it (which he will) everything will be back to normal. This is just a really worrisome waiting game you've gotta get through.
@jase123111
@jase123111 2 жыл бұрын
I am so lucky with my current ball python. He has NEVER refused a meal and always has a strong feeding response, eating the animal straight away. He is also not fussy what he eats, from mice and rats to quail and chicks / ducklings. He even ate a parakeet once (it was one from my breeding flock I was going to have to put to sleep as it was deformed too badly to survive once out of the nest). Only time I don't try to feed him is when he is in shed. My other ball python is the opposite, he will fast for weeks or months at a time and is very fussy what he eats. He will only eat rats. Both are kept in identical ways and so I think its just the individual temperament of each snake.
@jaylalambert3396
@jaylalambert3396 4 жыл бұрын
Ive had my girl for 7 and a half months now and she is just now starting to refuse food. Her last owners didnt feed her for a while due to reason of the food being “to expensive” which didnt make sense i get my frozen mice for like ten bucks but, anyways Ive been feeding her frozen/thawed mice. Ive tried basically everything and still nothing. So like im panicking😭 she hasn’t eaten in about 2 weeks now...help.
@Fyralynn
@Fyralynn 4 жыл бұрын
They can go without food for months without losing weight.
@Chyna_Doll
@Chyna_Doll 6 жыл бұрын
The *ONLY* time my ball python ever rejected a meal was when she’s in shed. Any other time, she’s quick to grab the rodent from me. She even bit me for trying to help (I’m still a novice and didn’t realize how serious meal time is to her).
@sheilahink968
@sheilahink968 4 жыл бұрын
I have a 7 yr ball python that hasnt ate in 6 months, I to have tried many types and many things. So I keep trying but not sure what else to do.
@dr.karasuoverhaul6963
@dr.karasuoverhaul6963 6 жыл бұрын
My ball python has an incredible appetite but I enjoy your vids so here I am lmao
@boneboi_amir5235
@boneboi_amir5235 2 жыл бұрын
My ball python had a nice shed and was moved to a bigger enclosure. It ate one meal after the shed but then when it came to its next feeding day it just rejected the food. I tried again the next week... still rejects the mouse. The snake is healthy and living in the right temperatures and everything! Someone please help!
@boneboi_amir5235
@boneboi_amir5235 2 жыл бұрын
@@nightinggale6470 thanks for the help but I had figured out the problem. My enclosure was to large for my ball python! Temp on hot side is 85 degrees, humidity is 60, and the temperature and everything is measured digitally. Once again thank you.
@boneboi_amir5235
@boneboi_amir5235 2 жыл бұрын
@@nightinggale6470 thank u very much! I’m going to let my snake thrive! Seems like my larger tank just didn’t have enough clutter. Also I will bump the humidity up. I am brand new to keeping snakes so this was very helpful to me. Tysm!
@nashvillebones7717
@nashvillebones7717 6 жыл бұрын
watching your videos helped me lets see if my trick works for you.. i use frozen.. once thawed and slightly warmer i assist feed.. i put in mouth and ensure teeth break skin to allow the blood from mice to start (or poke with pin then place in mouth).. never an issue after
@buttersticks7877
@buttersticks7877 6 жыл бұрын
So, something that I found helped a lot (but also smells a lot as well) is heating your rat with a hair dryer to fill the room with rat scent to make them alert. My bp wasn't taking anything until I tried this, he went for 7 months without eating. Then one night, I heated my rat up with a hair dryer, and he struck the rat before I even got it into the tank. Just figured this might help out
@srayeals2642
@srayeals2642 6 жыл бұрын
Got my ball python for a month now, she never skipped a meal! I do hope im not feeding her to less i mostly feed her every friday an adult mice, she is a juvenile tho. But she is very sweet and loves to watch tv w me! ^^
@lyssanikayla
@lyssanikayla 5 жыл бұрын
Umm, so.... I’ve had my BP for around 2 years now, (she’s around 2 1/2 years old) she just recently started refusing her food. She’s been eating frozen thawed small rats for a while now. Her humidity is right and the heat pad is working and at the right temp. She has enough water. She hasn’t shed in around 57 days and hasn’t eaten in 39. Oh, and the thawed rat I feed her usually bleeds from it’s nose, so the sent of blood IS there. After she refuses a fat she usually comes back out of one of her hides. What do you think it could be? (Feel free to ask any questions about her enclosure setup if you need more info to help me figure out what’s wrong.) Thanks!
@kenna_c
@kenna_c 3 жыл бұрын
I have a male banana pastel ball python named Pretzel. He usually is a VERY good eater. He eats a f/t medium mouse once a week. He usually strikes right away. He hasn’t eaten for almost 3 weeks. He isn’t stressed because a) I haven’t changed anything b) he is acting normal besides not eating. I also haven’t handled him as to not stress him out. I’ve tried everything including, feeding late at night, heating the mouse up extra, cutting the mouse head open, leaving the mouse in his cage and feeding him in his feeding bin. He is interested in the mouse eg; tongue flicking, following the mouse. Oh and, he had pooped since his last meal but I soaked him just in case. I am starting to get worried because he is only 6-7 months old. If it helps, his warm hide is 88-92 *F and 78-82 *C on the cool side. The humidity stays between 55-65%. Again, NOTHING had changed. Please help!! EDIT: HE ATE TONIGHT!! YAY!!
@ademberkaybal
@ademberkaybal Жыл бұрын
what did you different from the other times
@kenna_c
@kenna_c Жыл бұрын
@@ademberkaybal this was a long time ago but i had turned the lights off when feeding and he ate almost immediately. now every time i struggle to get him to eat i do this and it works every time.
@ademberkaybal
@ademberkaybal Жыл бұрын
@@kenna_c all the lights off? i am struggling the same problem that you encountered, she hasn’t eaten for 4 weeks. :(
@kenna_c
@kenna_c Жыл бұрын
@@ademberkaybal so i usually feed in my room so i closed the door and turned the lights off so that is was pitch black and he ate after about 30 seconds. another thing that’s helped in the past is to use a box cutter and slice the mouse/rats skull open (kinda gross but it works) so that way it smells more. has she eaten well for you in the past?
@ademberkaybal
@ademberkaybal Жыл бұрын
@@kenna_c yes she was eating like beast, never skipped a meal, generally strikes in 10 seconds even if she is chilling in her hide when she got the smell of rat. i’ll try to offer smaller one. could you explain how can i slice rat’s skull open, isn’t it too hard to slice?
@bitbug0996
@bitbug0996 6 жыл бұрын
Congrats on 90k!! We’re almost to 100k! Keep up the great work 👍🏼👍🏼❤️
@9700MAFIA
@9700MAFIA 3 жыл бұрын
thank you this helped so much i was worried cuz my ball python refused food for two months!
@Scotty0923k
@Scotty0923k 5 жыл бұрын
This is reassuring because it’s been nearly a month since Ligan, my BP, has eaten. I switched from live to F/T for cost and safety purposes. I’ve tried twice, a day apart, each week, to feed him. I did a different variation of rat each time, like you did. He has lost a little weight but still appears healthy and mostly round (only a slight peak in his back), which made me worry until I saw this. I guess I’ll just wait it out and keep trying until he eats! It hasn’t been a crazy 6-8mos for him 😅
@mateusquasetuga
@mateusquasetuga 6 жыл бұрын
Before you go to the extreme of braining, a similar but somewhat less icky method is to just twist the skin on the mouse’s face with the tongs until it splits open.
@KariTripp
@KariTripp 6 жыл бұрын
This helped me so much! Thank you 🙏🏻
@ruiwu235
@ruiwu235 4 жыл бұрын
6 months later, my ball phython (Steelix) finally ate after I threw him a live mice into his cage. He ate it immediately. Next week tried a thawed mice and ate it. Fyi Steelix was just like Sunny. Perfect sheds, perfect condition and health. Try the live mice.
@sphinxgrim8362
@sphinxgrim8362 5 жыл бұрын
With my Bp wouldnt eat I decided to turn off the snake light i had because it dried out my tank quickly he ate pretty quickly after
@Mkikorodriguez
@Mkikorodriguez 3 жыл бұрын
How long did it take sunny to eat?
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