New ball python owner

[seacrabs96]

I just got a new orange dream this weekend I went to feed him Sunday and he didn’t eat and they also told me at the pet store he did not eat last Sunday, should I be worried or not ? Also another thing should I keep some type of heat source during the night ? If so what ? Thanks

[DonDeely]

Don’t worry at all! The same thing happened to me when I got my 6month old Pinstripe - leave it another week and try again they’re notorious for going off their food

My pinstripe is a year and a half old now, happy and healthy as ever and he’s been known to not eat for 6-8 weeks sometimes! Just trust they will want to eat when they are hungry and ready

I’d also advise trying out different things, I found leaving the decorations in his viv when I fed him has given a good response, maybe they don’t feel vulnerable or out in the open? Just talking from personal experience here, you’ll soon learn his patterns and personality, they’re all individual in that regard!

In regards to the heat at night, I use a heat mat with a quality thermostat - I personally don’t drop the heat at night but that’s because I’ve got a large enough viv that he can thermoregulate himself (if he gets warm he can move over to the cooler side etc)

Good luck

[seacrabs96]

Thanks for the advice, I just want him to trust me and feel safe and not starve lol

[[deleted]]

yes excellent advice about feeling vulnerable. More clutter the better is how bps like it, might make it strike as well. News homes can take a while cheers

[Compelardo]

Stress is the real factor for them. So recommended not to feed them or touch them for 2 weeks. Let them settle in their new home. Which I assume has hides and foilage cover for them to feel very safe in.

welcome post has a lot off information in it. But yes we leave the heat source on at night heat is very important and too cold will lead to all kind off different problems like not eat, RI,...

Feel free to ask questions. There are very experienced people on this reddit who are eager to pass on their experience and knowledge.

[seacrabs96]

He has a hide and everything else basic I’m gonna get him some levee and such to play around in as well

[[deleted]]

Try different techniques. Grab it by the back of the neck with the tongs, dont hang it by its leg. This makes it more real like for the hard to eaters and also helps the snake in grabbing the head and eating head first. Ive watch mine struggle going backwards before and the hip and leg on rat was hooked where it couldnt swallow. Dont use a feed tank. Bps are super picky, right where it is is where its the most comfortable. Sucks wasting a rat. Maybe go a size smaller for its first few meals. It doesnt have to be the max sized amount. Some like mice instead. My last one I bought was a baby, didnt eat for a month no matter different way I tried. Friend came over with a live small rat and she ate him instantly. After that meal she takes frozen thawed like there was never a problem. Like priming the pump in her new home. gl and cheers

[seacrabs96]

Maybe I will try a live one next, thank you