picky eater

[geckogirls]

okay I know most ball pythons, are somewhat "picky" eaters, but I have had my male ball python for about 6 months, and I can't get him to eat more then one rat per week, I want him to get bigger, but he doesn't eat the bigger size ones, so I want him to eat two smaller ones, I try feeding him sooner then every 7 days, and he refuses to eat, he even refuses to eat sometimes except once every 2 weeks?!? He isn't skinny, he just isn't growing very quicky, nor is he fat, I can take some pics of him tonight, but do you have any suggestions?!? I feed F/T ever since I got him, and he used to eat them fine every 5 days, and recently it is hard to get him to eat every 7 days.

Thanks for the help in advance guys!!

 

[Zbiz]

I wouldn't say he is a picky eater... he just not hungry. As long as he eats regularly once a week and he keeps a decent weight I dont see a problem. Some people try to power feed but if the animals are content with the amount of food they get I say leave him be. GL!

 

[goReptiles]

By power feeding you can cause health issues. I would stick with the one a week.

You may want to up his enclosure size. When I upped my male's tank, he took a growing spurt. But not much. Remember males are smaller than females. My male has toped at a tad over 3 feet. Now, he's just growing in girth.

 

[BalloonzForU]

Power feeding is when you place another prey item in their mouth right behind one they are currently eating. When you do that they have no choice but to eat the second one. Trying to get them to eat more often or two small rats vs one large rat is no big deal as they grow.

As already said, males do not get at big as females in general. What does your male weigh and how old is he? If you're trying to get him up to size for breeding, I can understand your concern, but if he's not ready all the weight in the world is not going to help.

Something you may want to check is your setup. Has he out grown his hide and no longer uses it? If so he may need a new one to feel more secure. When was the last time you checked your temps on the hot side and what are the temps?

 

[geckogirls]

Power feeding is when you place another prey item in their mouth right behind one they are currently eating. When you do that they have no choice but to eat the second one. Trying to get them to eat more often or two small rats vs one large rat is no big deal as they grow.

As already said, males do not get at big as females in general. What does your male weigh and how old is he? If you're trying to get him up to size for breeding, I can understand your concern, but if he's not ready all the weight in the world is not going to help.

Something you may want to check is your setup. Has he out grown his hide and no longer uses it? If so he may need a new one to feel more secure. When was the last time you checked your temps on the hot side and what are the temps?

Okay well I didn't mean I was going to be power feeding or anything, I just meant that he doesn't seem to be eating too much, he eats once a week, sometimes only once every two weeks, I feed F/T small rats He weighs about 500 grams he is about a year old, I am not trying to get him up for breeding or anything, I am just worried about his health since he isn't eating very much. He has not out grown either of his hides, he switches back and forth all the time to both hides, the one on the cooler end and the one on the warmer end. He is in a 30 gallon tank (just today switched to a 40 gallon breeder) with paper towel substrate, a hide on each side of the tank, and a large water bowl, which the water is changed out everyday. I just now checked the temps, I layed a thermometer right on the UTH, and it read about 90-92 and then I layed it down on the cool side and it was about 78-80. That is normaly what his temps are at. Is there anything wrong with him only eating once a week, sometimes once every 2 weeks, I also have a dumerils boa that is a monster eater compared to him, And then I have a brooks king that is a total crazy eater!! LOL She LOVES to eat! Maybe I am just used to those two eating the way they do.

Thanks

 

[geckogirls]

Here are a few pics I took of him a few mins ago, I can take more too, he is a reduced pattern right? He was sold to me as a reduced...

Let me know what you guys think of him..

 

[BalloonzForU]

Oh he looks SICK, you must send him to me right away!


He's one handsome looking reduced and looks like he's proportioned pretty well. I wouldn't worry about him cutting down on eating. He may just be feeling the change in the seasons and looking for a female. :main_yes:

 

[geckogirls]

Oh he looks SICK, you must send him to me right away!


He's one handsome looking reduced and looks like he's proportioned pretty well. I wouldn't worry about him cutting down on eating. He may just be feeling the change in the seasons and looking for a female. :main_yes:

You scared me there for a second! I saw sick, and was like oh no!! lol I wouldn't give him up for anything!!
Thank you, I love him to death, I would like to get a female for him in a year or so. Most like an Albino, I love albino ball pythons!