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- Training & Behavior
My baby ball python won't eat by herself we have to get her force fed what can we do to help her eat my herself?
Ball pythons are notorious for their hunger strikes. Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. If you feed frozen/thawed, be sure it is at room temp (at least) before offering it. A python will not eat cold prey. Make sure it isn't too big also. You can scent it with some used gerbil bedding. Survey the area in and around the cage for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises, strong vibrations, bright lights or strong drafts. Reduce or eliminate any if found. If she won't eat, have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat any infection or injury.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
My Ball Python has not eaten in about a month and she has lost a lot of weight and refuses to drink water and she is extremely weak. She does have a vet appointment scheduled but I'm just hoping to maybe find some answers before then. Before this pas
Check the tank temps. If it is too cold, she won't eat. Aim for the mid 70s on the cool side of her enclosure up to the mid/high 80s on warmer side. Feed her at night. BPs are nocturnal and typically feed at night. Create a hide and cover it completely with her and the prey inside. Make sure whatever prey you offer is the appropriate size and not too cold (especially if you feed frozen prey). Other ways to get her to eat would be to offer different colored mice. Tap a thawed, warmed or freshly killed mouse on her nose to elicit a strike. Removing her from the enclosure, placing the prey in, then returning her about 30 minutes later may also get her to eat. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte a couple times daily to treat or prevent mild dehydration. Do not force feed her if she is dehydrated or without the advice of your veterinarian.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
I have a 13-14 year old ball python with a dry spot on his skin that he's had for almost 3 weeks now. What can I do?
Thanks for reaching out about Natas and including photos. This could be something as simple as dry skin, so application of an olive oil once every few days might help return the skin integrity to normal. Remove any substrate that could adhere the lesion. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. A fungal or bacterial dermatitis, nutritional deficiencies, and other problems are still possible. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
My ball python is 8 months old and seems to have developed a nasty looking underside. Its black and burnt orange , seems to be leaking but i dont think its scale rot or a burn for that matter
If there is discharge, this may mean infection. Have Butters examined by an experienced herp veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. It may indeed be advanced scale rot or a burn. You can request a consultation to share images. It may also be a bad shed if Butters has shed recently. Until he sees the vet, keep him on paper towels or other substrate that is easily cleaned and won't contaminate or stick to his abdomen. If you have a heat rock or UTH, check the rheostat to make sure it is still functioning.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
Titan has not been sexed yet, but has been eating. Titan has not shed yet and we have had the snake for approximately 2 months now. This happens before defecation, stools have been normal since the last time this has happened. Titan has regurgitated
This is a cloacal prolapse that you are seeing. The cloaca is the common tube where all the feces, urine and reproductive tracts meet and is just inside the opening there. This can happen in a few different cases such as stones in the urine or stool, or egg binding if Titan was mature a female. If you have not seen Titan shed and he/she has not been defecating regularly, then I would be suspicious of dehydration. If Titan came from the wild, then parasites would also be a suspicion. The humidity should be good in your area, but I would ensure the humidity is at least 60%. If you don't have a hygrometer, then this can be purchased from the pet store. The best this you can do is take Titan to a reptile vet for an exam. There may be something going on that you would not be able to correct at home. For now, I would soak Titan in warm water for 15-30 minutes a day. I've put a link to a video that shows how to soak a snake. Make sure Titan also has an area in the enclosure
Updated on August 12th, 2025
