Regardless, if she just did it for a short time period, I wouldnt worry too much. Its so weird but cute! He is eating well and has no discharge around his mouth or nose, no mouth gaping, but he has been staying on the cold side of his enclosure the majority of the time and the night after I fed him 12-14 hrs after feeding) he was making occasional squeaking noises. Is this just him being picky? If your ball python regurgitates, it could lead to its death. Maybe someone can help Adam and myself?? Go to ballpython r/ballpython by Ragnar_jormungandr Hi, I got my ball python about a month ago and she has been a really sweet and calm snake. Another reason may be Your python might not be getting enough food. Just chalk it up as one of the weird things our snakes sometimes do! Plus he turns himself upside down and frequently misses his mouse when he strikes. You can usually help a ball python free himself of the retained skin by soaking him in a bit of room-temperature water for an hour or two. Ive also seen her raise her head towards the ceiling and just stay still for several seconds occasionally. Thanks for your questions! So, avoid handling it immediately after feeding. They are available 24/7! Pro Tips: 1. I have no idea how to help him feel safer at night and not afraid of me. If they look good, I wouldnt worry. Ball pythons are naturally shy and providing them with ample hiding places can help them feel secure and reduce stress levels. Well, a few times this has happened but it is random. My ball python is still very young a couple of months and he just moves very weird! The vet said he looked fine but recommended a space heater, which I got. He is probably just hungry. After the first few meals, and while your snake still weighs less than 200g, it needs only a fuzzy rat or small mouse of up to 19g once a week. Have you ever wondered how to calm down a ball python after it has enjoyed a hearty meal? Photo courtesy of Pied Pythons Ball pythons are nonvenomous snakes that are commonly used as pets. She often gets upset to go back in the tank and makes a lot of fuss to get out. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Mites essentially look like a moving speck of black pepper. Not sure if the hide i got him is too big or not because he goes in it sometimes and most the time he just goes behind it and stays there for most the day and usually when i walk in the room hell come out for about 10 minutes then go back to hiding. If your snake seems to be wheezing or making strange sounds when it breathes it may have a respiratory infection. You can use the snake hook to remove the python from the hiding spot in its cage. If he continues to lose weight then get him seen by a vet as there could be an underlying cause. That said, some ball pythons do prefer rodents that look more like wild rodents. Well I thought she ate her mouse and today I found it in her hiding spot should I take the dead mouse out of the cage or see if she eats it because Sylvia has no place to hide now, Hi so I usually get useful information about boas from ball pythons as theyre so similar anyway my boa kept on attacking the glass Ive had her for over a year and this is the first time Ive ever seen her do this I was just wondering if this is cuz of her smelling food what was on top of her Viv and her being hungry or if there is something else again she has never done this for what Im aware of I found so e information to put a blanket on and turn her light off just wondering if there is anything else I can do so she doesnt hurt herself plz itd be amazing if u can message back thx. Its hard to say without seeing your snake first-hand or the size of the rodent you offered, but it does sound like hes hunting. Fast forward to second feeding pet store was out of medium so we got a small rat no problems he ate it in no time we were told to wait a week then try and feed again we got yet another medium size (pet stores recommended to get back in feeding schedule) and he wouldnt eat it. So while its concerning that she hasnt eaten for nearly a year, there is still hope that she will start eating again. A sore and infected mouth may be the cause of your snakes activity after feeding, so be sure to take a good look at its mouth to see that there are no problems there. If its not improving after a few days or gets worse, then you can take it to the vet for a checkup. However, the wobbling/shivering and head elevation may be a bigger deal. However, recently hes hardly come out of his hide (on the cold side). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. And I have had him checked for mites. These pythons are ectothermic, that is, they are cold-blooded. The first time he ate a whole mouse. Monitor the temperature gradient in the enclosure: Incorrect temperatures can lead to increased activity after feeding. Ben is a life-long environmental educator who writes about the natural world. . Most ball pythons become easily irritated when they are shedding. My husband had this happen tonight she did bit him but it was not normal us? While taming an aggressive ball python - 5-10 minute handling sessions once a day are ideal. I will provide you with tips on how you can handle your python. The previous owner said to feed him 1 medium non white rat every other week which he has taken like a champ in the past. Give your python 1-2 weeks to adjust to its new environment or after it is done eating and digesting its food. Do you have a cat that likes to sit in front of the enclosure? My balled python was trying to get its mates attention for at least an hour then out of no where it looked as if he was smiling then he went crazy and hissed puffed itself up a couple times then poo shot out of my snakes bum is this normal I think not but I dont know much. If your ball python consistently refuses to eat, it may indicate ongoing stress or incorrect conditions in its enclosure. I checked back in a few hours later and found him using the mouse as a pillow. Thats perfectly normal, Ashley! Supervise children when handling and ensure that the snake does not wrap around the neck. If your enclosure is too large, this can also cause a snake to stop eating as they are agoraphobic (scared of open spaces). If your python is active immediately after eating, it may be that regurgitation occurred. Thanks in advance, hope you respond back soon. So, double-check your cage temps. However, snakes hunt a lot without catching prey. ), contact your doctor. Best of luck. Congrats on your first ball python! March 31, 2022 by Jeff England Feeding is one of the most interesting aspects of snake care. I will find tiny little blood spots somewhere in the cage. Its hard to say without seeing your python. Do you have any other pets, for example cats or dogs that could be stressing her out? Its also important to note that housing different species together, even in a divided tank, can lead to stress and potential disease transmission, especially between boas and pythons. About an hour and a half later, I lean down to check the temperature of her warm side, and she poked her head out of her hide and coiled almost instantly. Hi Ben. If you dont see any marks or scabs on your snakes body, then its possible that your ball python is simply rubbing up against the cage walls or other surfaces in a way thats causing some minor scrapes or cuts. Copyright 2018-2023 All rights Reserved. If you have ruled out these potential causes, you could try offering her a different type of prey item to see if she is more interested. But I find no scabs. Have you moved him somewhere that is busier than the previous room and are there any other pets that now have access to the room where he is located? But, as long as you inspect her regularly, this probably wont be a huge risk. I guess my main questions are; Makes feeding time easier! As we were riding down the road, I saw a stream of what I thought was urine! Question I just got a baby ball python and it will every now and then raise its head and open its mouth is that normal. It is fairly common for ball pythons to stop eating during winter months, double check that your temperatures are correct and monitor his weight. Today, we moved up from a medium mouse to a small rat for feeding. Also, while snakes dont necessarily defecate after every meal, a ball python wont usually eat three times without eliminating. The snake may then display some restless activity as it looks for another meal to replace the one it lost. Shedding difficulties can cause a snake to retain the scale covering its eye. Ive never heard of a snakes eye caps (spectacles) becoming fused. You are correct that you shouldnt try to remove retained eye caps, but Id recommend re-examining your husbandry practices if your snake is experiencing chronic shedding problems. These symptoms can also be caused by genetic defects from birth. [FYI: Her last shed was late May. Am I doing something wrong? Its tough to know for sure whats going on from afar, but snakes will often explore the screened lid and lean against the glass. Ball pythons rarely bite, although if you act nervous, moving your hand quickly in his enclosure this may cause him to strike thinking you are food. A Closer Look at Their Diet and Nutrition. Activity After Feeding Due to Illness or Disease, If your snake seems to be wheezing or making strange sounds when it breathes it may have a respiratory infection. Im having a hard time with my husbands ball python. At any rate, Id recommend having your vet check him out to be sure. What size is your enclosure, you could try adding some more hides, also double check that your temperatures are correct. This will help you avoid startling him if hes sleeping (it is essentially impossible to tell if your snake is just sitting still or sleeping, as they lack eyelids). Monitor him for the next couple of days, if the behaviour persists, take him to see a vet. Im shocked hes not trying to digest it longer, he usually relaxes after a meal. It is also possible that she is having a natural period of decreased appetite due to environmental stress or hormonal changes. Noodle sometimes rubs her snoot on the glass for a few minutes or on the water dish, she isnt shedding, she just shed a month ago and there is nothing left stuck on her. Thanks for the helpful article. These optimal conditions will help your snake feel comfortable and reduce stress levels. Double check your temperatures and humidity but this doesnt sound like anything to worry about. There are a number of causes including brain trauma, bacterial or viral infections and Inclusion Body Disease. She sheds really well. On this site we share what we know and learn about reptiles to help you give your reptile the love and care it deserves. Stress will often cause ball pythons to refuse food, so make sure that you are leaving her alone for the most part until she starts to eat regularly. However, if she still refuses to eat, you could try adjusting your feeding strategy. They will be able to determine if she is ill and give you advice on how to care for her. I have to wait to bring him in since they are booked but I am at a loss. At first, I had my male ball python (pin) on one side and my female boa (hypo jungle jaguar) in the other. I tend to hold her pretty often and she likes it. Once lifted, let your snake crawl freely around your hands and arms. I hold her regularly, both for exercise and to maintain her comfort with humans. Any ideas??? This is understandable nobody wants to be bitten by a snake. There are a few reasons that cause the shedding problems: Although youll certainly need to adjust to different circumstances and individuals, the best way to handle your ball python is as follows: Try to follow the procedure outlined above, but from time to time, you may find the following tips helpful: Note that you should never handle your ball python whos recently eaten. Theres not much you can do about this besides let him breed, or just wait until his urge passes. Hey there, Leroy. I literally smiled when reading your question, as it is obvious you are clearly interested in taking great care of your pet. Thank you so much! He has also started to spend most of his time on the warm side of his enclosure. His tank temps are 94 and 75 on the cold end. My 2 y/o ball python is acting aggressive.. My BP, Lucy, is around 2 years old. This can happen due to a few different reasons such as dehydration, low temperatures, and poor husbandry practices. If your ball python regurgitates, it could lead to its death. Hi Ben, Hey Ben I gave my snake her dinner on Friday and the last time she ate was last week Friday. And it may further cause it to develop stress-related health issues. You can try by touching the mid section of his body when you enter the enclosure to let him know youre there. I got him home and his house set up and tried feeding him and he refused it so i left it there over night and he still hasnt ate is this normal for a new snake not to wanna eat. And unfortunately, they are both extremely common and extremely difficult to eradicate particularly for snake-keeping novices. If you can still detect a food bulge, do not handle your snake. Id advise you to keep them in separate enclosures if possible, or ensure the divider is completely secure if you must use the same tank. Its really hard to tell whats going on with your snake without seeing him, but if he hasnt eaten in a month, Id recommend having your vet check him out. Royal Python. The thing that really affects them though, is the vibrations which travel along the ground. I also have read that even if they dont bite or scare to easy none like their head touched or messed with and will usually atleast yank their head back quick in fear however mine seems to act like a puppy loves her head rubbed nudges me to do so even and when around my neck nudges my chin rubs her head against me and i read on here it isnt good to handle your snake for too long or too much but seems to me my snake cant wait to get out of her enclosure and to be held or handledas soon as i out her in her cage she seems tonact just like my bearded dragon i had for years did and seems to want back out enjoys the attention she gets and wants it more than to just lay there in her enclosure..she doesnt seem to stress outside or even in public like at all and i was wandering since ive heard so many different things that dont describe my snake like at all could it be a sign that something is wrong with her she seems completely healthy no mites no scale rot mouth rot or respiratory issues at all however if handling her too much can cause any of these health issues should i not handle her even though she acts like everything is more ok that way and seems. Past 2 days hes prowling more than hiding. I always fed him inside his own tank, but since he was constipated (due to ingesting substrate with a meal) I tried feeding him in a separate bin last night. They may be indicative of a respiratory infection, so itd probably be a good idea to take her in for a check up at the vet. I found out the there is something called stargazing syndrome and I have been reading in to it. I rarely if ever take him outside of the home. Never done that before. Accordingly, it is important to avoid the problem entirely. I realize that this advice probably wont help you now, but it may help someone else in the future. That is why you must avoid this situation by all means. To start off with, all your baby python needs is a pinky rat or hopper mouse of no more than 12g for the first three to five meals. 4. If your snake is mature or nearly so (somewhere north of 400 or 500 grams), then he may very well be lookin for the ladies! Avoid handling the snake during shedding, immediately after bringing it home, right after feeding, and when the snake is visibly stressed. I just got a male ball python about 4 weeks ago. This could account for the occasional blood spots youre finding. There could be a few reasons why your ball python reacted that way. It is important to pay attention to these signs and take appropriate steps to help calm down the snake. Her backwards behavior pattern is a little concerning, but it may just be that shes a little cool and trying to keep warm. Instead, just hold him in your hands and let him crawl around like he wants to. I have a question. I just bought my 1st ball python its a baby I cant tell male or female because its to small thats what the pet store said, I go to get it out of its cage and it sticks his head straight up and just stares at me but when I pick it up it doesnt bite but Ive held it in my hand and it stands straight up and looks at me is it going to end up biting me or is it normal? Everything You Need to Know, Can Hermann Tortoises Eat Cauliflower Leaves? Signs of stress in ball pythons include hissing, defensive postures, rapid breathing, refusing to eat, hiding, and attempts to escape. Hello I have had my ball python exactly a year when I first got him he was very picky and didnt eat for 6 weeks but since then he ate normal on a weekly basis fast forward to the last 3 weeks he ate one large mouse around 3 or 4 weeks ago he was eating 1 every 5 days but since his last meal he hasnt eaten and has been way more active still hides in hides and goes between hot side and cold side I have checked for mites scale rot mouth rot and respiratory illness and have seen nothing. How to Tame an Aggressive Ball Python Use optimal handling techniques and non-threatening behavior to get the snake to trust you. Then we will discuss optimal temperatures for ball pythons and what happens if. It should be fed once every 28-56 days. There are No reptile vets in my area & I am really scared Im gonna lose him if I dont get him help. Monitor your pythons weight, if he is not losing any then I wouldnt start to panic just yet. She still hasnt shed yet for us and has been acting scared of food when its been feeding time for the last two weeks. What is going on is that they naturally strike at and bite their prey before they constrict around it to get it ready to be eaten. I wouldnt be surprised if she began eating regularly and calmed down a bit when handled once she sheds. Ball pythons are normally docile creatures that very rarely attack. Do not handle the ball python after it has eaten to avoid stress and reduce the risk of being bitten. At any rate, wed recommend getting Noodle to the vet ASAP to see whats going on. Separate housing just makes it easier to care for them, and itll help prevent accidents at feeding time (which can be very dangerous). Today I took her out to meet my roommates for 10 minutes and her whole body started to vibrate. What should I do?? Should I be concerned I have not seen her do this since we have had her. Ball pythons aren't aggressive! His humidity levels are good, his temps are good, he eats well, he has regular periods of hiding and regular periods of moving around his enclosure. How Much and How Often Does My Ball Python Need to Eat? After about 5 to 10 minutes (or you are done examining him, if that was your reason for picking him up in the first place), gently return him to his habitat and close the enclosure. Is this normal? When your python weighs 1500g feed it with 4-5 adult mice that all weigh 80-250g in total. Possibly still hungry? 4) Yes if possible, I would keep them in their tank. My kids even love holding him. You should know that the amount of food your ball python consumes should increase as it grows older. She is very chill and curious when meeting people. However, if your ball python is not eating, then you should bring him in for a check-up to make sure there is not something wrong. I got my 4yr old ball python in March of this year and hes been wonderful to take care of, very sweet and eats well, sleeps through the day and roams at night. Just their nature? Also, in case this is your first snake, it is important to understand that many snakes (particularly ball pythons) arent especially active. If your ball python weighs 200g, it can eat an adult mouse of 20-30g and it should be fed with it at least once within 7-10 days. But I seriously doubt your snake cares whether the rodent you offer is brown or grey, for example. As your pet python is growing well and reaches half a kilogram in weight, you can increase the size of its meals to include a small rat or two to three adult mice, totalling between 46 79g per feed. Consider the age of your ball python: Younger ball pythons tend to be more active after eating compared to older ones. Additionally, the spine and ribs can provide clues to the snakes body condition. By prioritizing your snakes comfort and well-being, you can establish a harmonious and fulfilling relationship with your ball python. I hope youll still find this helpful. All rights reserved. He typically WILL strike when I feed him, so these past few times have been unusual. Hey, Daylin. Hey, Michelle. It will only be another 3 or 4 days until Im able to get her proper housing,Im just worried and want the best for her so any tips you can give me will be very appreciated. Increase the number of hides in the enclosure and keep the cats out of the room where your snake is. Keep up the good work! Hes also in mid shed. If the lack of appetite persists, it is advisable to seek professional help to determine the underlying cause and ensure your snakes well-being. Dont worry Victoria, it is normal for a snake to be sleeping a lot after shedding. Not sure if I should practice this during every feed so that he starts distinguishing the bin for feeding time.. and not just any random night Im walking by his tank. Hello Ben! Ball pythons are friendly creatures, if you handle them properly you will enjoy keeping them as pets. My spider ball does it too. If youre able to, try offering him both live and frozen/thawed mice and see if hell eat either one. Hi, Diana. We offer him the rat every 3-4 days and are going on month 2 of not eating but overly active. I only take him out when he does this and he is also pretty chill but likes to explore a lot. Its somewhat like what snakes often do immediately before shedding their skin (its a way to cut the skin on their lips so they can start to crawl out of it). Im just concerned he might be sick, as he is also refusing food (Ive gotten him to eat twice since Ive had him). I got her when she was just over 1 foot long. ), then he may just be entering a shed cycle (which would also explain the food refusal). The strange situation of her striking and hissing makes me think that something spooked her. A Google search should turn up some options in your area, but if that doesnt work, consider calling around to local reptile-oriented pet stores and ask for some recommendations. Leave her alone as much as you can, stay on top of your husbandry (as you have been doing), keep a good eye on her, and offer food once every three or four days until she starts eating again. Whats funny is that whenever I check her she has no marks or scabs anywhere, like it never happened. Hi Someone Anyone Everyone Please Help! 2) I always advocate for large enclosures, but a 75-gallon tank is actually pretty spacious. It is common for adult snakes to eat less regularly than juveniles, winter can also cause snakes not to eat for a number of months, the changes in air pressure likely affect their habits. You should not handle your ball more than 4 times a week and more than once a day. This is mainly when eating, shedding or when protecting their eggs. When weve tried live feeding, she seems to avoid the mouse altogether and shies away from it. If youre worried about it, Id recommend contacting the breeder ASAP. So if its still moving around after eating, it is possible that the meal was not fully satisfying. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask . Birds chirping, cats and dogs looking for mates so I naturally thought maybe he is too, but some opinions on this would be most hopeful. Blowing bubbles from the nostrils or mouth, Staying near the heat source more often than usual. If Ive learned one thing in my time as a snake keeper its that sometimes theyre just being weird without a reason, so I just wanted a second opinion if any of this sounds concerning, or if I should just not worry too much until I see more alarming signs, and what to look out for. During that time she seems to be exhibiting happy behavior. It means he has a good appetite and isnt likely to be feeling stressed. Since then Ive tried hopper mice, pinky rats, other brands of mice and nothing. 1) Color doesnt really matter, as ball pythons see largely in shades of grey. Ive tried multiple times to offer food and he just refuses it. Oftentimes, theyre not. [Explained], Bearded Dragon Glass Surfing Every Morning [Should I Be Concerned? Try to feed him a little more, perhaps 2 food items at a time rather than one or feed more regularly (one a week max). Thanks! Ive also given him 2 warm 15 minute soaks too. Ball pythons are often quite docile. Nothing else seems to be wrong except for she sometimes breathes quite heavy but I think that might just be from stress. But, as always, if youre concerned, reach out to your vet. Thanks! My Ball Python is acting oddly aggressive. This could include things like mites, bacteria or parasites. Obesity takes a long time to treat in snakes they dont need very many calories in the first place. 2) It sounds to me like your ball pythons food refusal is more closely related to stress than food size. The last few months however he has been SUPER active in his tank almost non stop, culminating last night when he BROKE OUT OF HIS TANK (it was locked and secure, although I will admit the lid isnt in the best shape due to years of wear and tear). But you have to understand that snakes occasionally do things we dont understand thats OK. As long as hes acting healthy and eating normally, theres probably no cause for concern. Now that you are aware that you should only handle your python only once a day. Thank you. That usually means hes interested in eating you just have to get him to pull the trigger. Snakes suffering from respiratory infections often exhibit strange postures (it can help them breathe more easily), but it could also be associated with reproductive events like ovulation. Theyre not a problem at all. We remove him from his viv to manage some basic husbandry, 10 minutes at most because hes in a bioactive set up, so its just to move things about and remove anything the clean up crew missed. Based on what youve described, it sounds like the blood spots could be from feeding. Discover the Surprising Truth! As for the heat mat issue, Its possible that your ball python is just more comfortable on the cool side hide, or that he likes the hide on that side better. 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! I was shocked when I saw this and would like to find out a reason maybe. If the ball python shows signs of stress or aggression after eating, give it some space and avoid handling it until it has had time to digest its meal. Just bought my first BP, seems mostly healthy for a 3 month old, maybe a little under fed, but other wise healthy. Her last fed was October and shes been refusing ever since. Sorry it took us so long to respond! I cant really reply but Ive heard of head wobble. Hes pretty docile and happy and were getting to know him better over the last few months. Its also important that we dont misinterpret our pets behaviors I doubt your snake wants to be handled, although he may very well tolerate it. By all means you would want to avoid this unpleasant and odorous occurrence! I worry that he may hurt himself due to witnessing him slip and bump his head on the side of the glass, will he be alright? I would recommend that you get her to begin eating regularly before handling her. Id recommend trying to move any branches or cage furniture out of the way in case he does fall, and I may consider switching to a fluffier substrate, but I wouldnt lose sleep over it.
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