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My Ball python

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  • 17-06-2008 3:42pm
    #1
    gversey
    Registered Users Posts: 262 ✭✭


    Hi, I bought a ball python two weeks and i will not feed for me, its a baby, " this years young" i was told,and was wondering is the terrarium too big or is there not enough heat, i got a heat mat and the temp inside is 20o celcius, there is fresh water and aspen bedding. the tank size is 60x45x45.If i need more heat, what do you recommend.


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    #2
    SCI
    Closed Accounts Posts: 266 ✭✭SCI


    Sorry but that tanks not suitable for a baby royal python,its
    way to exposed in that,too hard to keep heat in and to
    vented at the top. You are best starting a royal in
    a small tub and then once on the say weaner rats working
    your way over to a 3 ft-ish wooden vivarium not a terrarium.
    I'm sorry but the shop that sold you that snake in that set-up
    hasn't a clue what there doing. If it were me I'd take the hole
    lot back and go to a decent reptile specialist shop.


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    #3
    dbrock
    Registered Users Posts: 333 ✭✭dbrock


    id give the shop a shout and see if it was feeding for them well, or was been assist fed as a lot of royles at the mo will be assist fed,,,, babies like this come around every year,,,, the viv as sci said is to big,,, maybe bring it back and change it for a simple exo terra flat faunarium,,, find them great for baby royles,,,,,and you should even get some change back,,,

    oh oh make sure you get the guys to show you how to assist feed to


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    #4
    gversey
    Registered Users Posts: 262 ✭✭gversey


    Is ther not too much heat being lost through them faunariums, thougth they were only used as a temporary housing, feeding, quarintine etc.


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    #5
    SCI
    Closed Accounts Posts: 266 ✭✭SCI


    gversey wrote: »
    Is ther not too much heat being lost through them faunariums, thougth they were only used as a temporary housing, feeding, quarintine etc.


    A faunarium should be fine if heated with a heat mat
    on a thermostat.I would get some back round though
    and cover up the back and 2 sides,royal hate being exposed
    like that.


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    #6
    SCI
    Closed Accounts Posts: 266 ✭✭SCI


    Did you look at changing your set-up mate.


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    #7
    gversey
    Registered Users Posts: 262 ✭✭gversey


    Yeah, i put him in the faunarium, havent tried feeding him again though, i have had to throw out three pinkies already, ill have to drop out to reptile haven to see how ben feeds young uns, he told me over the phone but id better try get out to have a look.


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    #8
    Caroline B
    Closed Accounts Posts: 83 ✭✭Caroline B


    Royals are fussy little things at the best of times, babies definitely are. I found that if you heat the food up and give it a good wiggle, the snake will be happier to take it. You must make sure the faunarium is a secure place for him - block the sides up with dark card or paper so he can't see out, and fill the faunarium up with scrunched up newspaper and lots of hides. It's really important that he feels secure, or every time you go in he'll get more scared.

    There are reptile specific forums in ireland too, so log onto one of those and ask the members advice - you won't be the first person to experience difficulties, and you are right to ask for help.

    Do you have a book on Royal pythons? Do you know anyone who keeps snakes?


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    #9
    SCI
    Closed Accounts Posts: 266 ✭✭SCI


    Another wee pointer mate,a mouse pinkie is far to small to feed to a royal,you
    will need a rat pup or small adult mouse.Only try to feed him once a week,don't handle him at all and offer food at night,warmed and on
    long tongs. Some of this stuff in his water will help him settle and help
    with stress too.
    http://www.repdirect.reptile-community.com/cubecart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=20


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    #10
    nhughes100
    Closed Accounts Posts: 845 ✭✭✭nhughes100


    Yeah agreed with most of the above, but your temps are way too low - Keep it under the hotspot at around 28C. Glass all around aint great for snakes, block off at least two more sides. consider putting something in place to half the size of the tank until he gets bigger. Balls won't move too much(hence the name) so he won't mind the limited space, in fact he'll feel more secure. If that doesn't work you might have to brain a mouse to see if that perks his interest.


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    #11
    SCI
    Closed Accounts Posts: 266 ✭✭SCI


    nhughes100 wrote: »
    Yeah agreed with most of the above, but your temps are way too low - Keep it under the hotspot at around 28C. Glass all around aint great for snakes, block off at least two more sides. consider putting something in place to half the size of the tank until he gets bigger. Balls won't move too much(hence the name) so he won't mind the limited space, in fact he'll feel more secure. If that doesn't work you might have to brain a mouse to see if that perks his interest.



    28c's a little cool for a royal mate.I'd be looking for 32-35c in the
    warm end.


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