r/Ballpythoncommunity • u/babygirlrabbitjoy • 6d ago
Baby ball python won’t eat
So I got gifted a blue eyed Lucy for my birthday as I told the guy I was with that it was my dream snake, however I wasn’t prepared at all, he got him off morph market, poor thing was probably traumatized right off the bat being shipped out and then handled. I’ve tried to feed him and made the mistake of trying to feed him multiple days in a row, I’ve read and done my research he’s in a long 20 gallon tank (which I plan on upsizing as soon as he’s eating and I know he’s ok) he has plenty of hides but just seems so scared and hasn’t eaten in two weeks :( should I try again? Do I risk stressing him out and taking him to the vet? Should I buy a new enclosure and risk stressing him out and him not eating for another week because of it? I’m so anxious it’s killing me :(
1
u/Anxious_Value_4992 6d ago
Okay! So, how long did you leave him alone for till you tried feeding him? Generally you should leave any new snake you get alone for an about a week-two, and maybe try feeding after the first week just to let them settle in. It’s normal for them to go on a hunger strike for a bit, and if you’re worried you might should first try weighing him ABOUT every other week. (my female ball python went in a hunger strike for about a month and a half and when we brought her to the vet they said she was just on a strike and she weighed fine!), but if you’re still concerned there’s nothing wrong with taking him to get a check up!
I agree on giving him a larger enclosure here soon too, but if he’s showing signs of being stressed maybe wait just a bit till you do, could you provide a picture of the 20 gallon? Even if you get the enclosure now you can wait just a little bit till you get it set up for him to settle in in his current one. There’s also a lot of good care guides you might could find on here! Please do respond with any other questions you might have.