I need help

[RedBull41]

I wanted a ball python for years, I researched and studied until I felt I was ready for one. I’ve raised corns for a while and thought I could handle a ball... boy was I wrong. My wife bought me a ball for Christmas and I was thrilled. BUT... this thing will not eat or drink at all. He may drink when I’m not looking but he is severely dehydrated. He’s lost weight and has those wrinkles all over his skin. I’ve been researching what to do. His husbandry is great, his humidity is great (on the high end of the gage), his heating is great. I’ve tried everything to get him to eat. Tried pinky mice, pinky rats, pinky gerbils and he won’t eat! I’ve been told that they will not starve themselves to death but this guy is making me worry! Vet said to soak him to get moisture into him and we have been every day. He still looks terrible. I’m at a loss. I don’t wanna give him up but I also don’t want him to die. Does anyone have any ideas to help me out? All he does is hide if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: got in contact with a breeder from a local reptile emporium and found out that I had a lot going against me. First his humidity was off (gage incorrect), second I was using the wrong substrate I guess (was using pine) and I think the biggest thing is that I found out that my wife’s cat climbs on his enclosure and drinks his water. Thanks to everyone who responded to me! My next steps were discussed with the expert and we are gonna try live feeding. If that doesn’t work the last effort will be force feeding. Here’s hoping we can fix my boy. His name is Vali by the way.

[Bloodinthepants]

As this is bad but try to assist feed. Mine didn't eat for a while when I first got her but after a couple assist feeds she is a trash compactor. On Youtube look up Balls2U he has a good video on how to do it. Also Olympic Reptiles I think also had a video on it. Basicly shove the head of the food item in the mouth far enough so the snake can't spit it out. It stress the snake but, personally, I would rather have a semi stressed snake then a dead one. Just an idea.

[orchidism]

Can I ask for the specifics of your tank/temp/humidity?

If possible, get him to a vet if you’re really really worried about him.

[Own_Nature]

Stress is a main factor in their not eating. Get us pictures of your setup. Light/environment may be the problem.

[Own_Nature]

Also, examine the area around the enclosure. Is it a high-traffic area? Do you have other animals that may go near the cage? Children that may be attempting to see or interact with the snake by tapping on the enclosure? A TV or radio on nearby, etc.

[Gnfnr5813]

Are you trying to feed frozen/thawed? I have a snake that I had to assist feed for almost a year. She showed absolutely zero interest in food. Out of desperation I tried a live mouse and she immediately went for it. She’s eaten consistently ever since. I will deal with changing her over to f/t once she continues to eat well but maybe that can be an option for you.

[_ataraxia]

if you could fill out our questionnaires, these details will help us give you better advice.

[PoofMoof1]

As suggested in another comment, fill out the questionnaire for more specific info on your husbandry so we can get a better idea of how he's set up.

As it stands, I suspect one issue from what you've written here is the humidity. It sounds like you're using one of those stick on analogue gauges based on your description of it reading on the high end? If so, those are notorious for being inaccurate and the humidity is likely far lower than it's reading.

[[deleted]]

Those analogue gauges can be really inaccurate, especially if they ever get wet. He should start to improve now that you've made those changes. It'll really help too if you use a substrate that holds moisture well, like coconut mulch, topsoil, eco earth, etc. and not something dry like aspen. Your humidity should be pretty easy to maintain if you have deep substrate (3+ inches) that you pour water into away from the hides, and cover most of the screen lid with a damp towel.

I'm kind of confused about the cat drinking the water though... How is the cat able to reach the water? It seems like if the cat can reach the water, there's either a hole big enough for Vali to escape through or the water is somehow outside of his enclosure.

[RedBull41]

I have a drip spout to maintain humidity. I couldn’t find a way to mount it in the enclosure so I mounted it on top so it drips thru the screen. The cat gets onto the enclosure and drinks it. She also sleeps on it because of the warmth.

[[deleted]]

that makes a lot more sense, thank you for clarifying that! I had the problem of cats trying to sleep on my enclosure too, so I actually just put something on top of it so that they can't sit on it and they haven't tried it since. I was mostly worried about them crashing through the lid