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advice on baby ball

J

jayefbe

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Ok, I just got (as a present from my amazing gf) a baby male albino ball python. He's exquisite. He was born on 8/24, and has been fed 4 times (according to the breeder), but he's only 41 grams. He was not a twin either. So...at this point, I'm treating him as though he may be straight out of the egg. He hasn't eaten for me yet, something that would not stress me out if he wasn't so small. He's very active, seems to be interested in food, but will ignore the actual prey item. I've learned to deal with ball pythons going off feed for months at a time (in one instance), but have never had any direct experience with one this small.

Is he unusually small given his age and feeding history? Could he actually be younger than the breeder said? Is there any advice on getting a ball to eat what may possibly be his first meal? Or best yet, just tell me to quit the stressing as he'll eventually come around!

Thanks!
 
WOW That seems really small

I have an albino that hatched on 9/9. I think it's a female, not that that is such a big deal. She hatched at 66+ grams and has eaten 6 times as of last Sat. I just put her on the scale and she comes in at 125 gr.

SOmething does not seem right. Can you verify the information that you posted. If what you posted is correct. I think yu need to do something, and soon.

Please if others out there think I am over reacting, please say so and let me know where. I'm not saying I can't be mistaken here, but it sure seems to me that something is really not right here.
 
Yeah, I agree. The information I have is second-hand since it is coming from my girlfriend, not the actual breeder. He did tell her that all of the balls in the clutch were rather small. If he was a size that I would've expected for a ball of that age (80+ grams) I would not have even posted this thread. I have to say that the little guy is quite active and does not seem unhealthy in the way he acts or looks. He just does not look like a 2-month old ball.

If he doesn't start feeding in the next few days, I may have my girlfriend give the guy a call.
 
That DOES seem awful small for a BP that has supposedly had 4 meals under his belt....does he seem filled out and healthy otherwise?? Not thin, or dehydrated? 8/24 was two months ago, he MAY have been a slow starter that did just take off eating. Otherwise, I would have thought he'd have had more than 4 meals in two months.

I'd say to just follow the standard protocol that you would with any new baby, leave him completely alone for 5 days to a week, make sure he's good and de-stressed, and only then try to feed him. He'll probably be just fine.
 
He does look a little thin, he's just not as "filled out" as the other young balls. Other than that he appears to be perfectly healthy, and for a baby ball python, is incredibly bold and active.

My plan is to just leave him alone other than to check on him once a day, then try feeding him again on Friday.
 
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