Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

How to care for a new baby ball python and ensure she's healthy?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I just bought a Female Ball Python who is aprox 1 month old. How can i be sure she is healthy and great care/feeding tips? Thanks.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on November 13th, 2017

She is stunning. The best way to confirm good health is to have her examined by an experienced herp veterinarian. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites.
In the meantime, make sure she is active and alert. Look for missing scales or injury along the length of her body. Check in and around her mouth for discharge, redness or swelling.
Offer appropriately sized prey. At her age, she is probably eating hopper or weanling mice depending on her weight. When feeding any reptile, it is important that the temperature is species appropriate. A cold snake will not eat. If you feed pre killed, be sure to completely thaw it and allow it to warm to at least room temp. Some owners choose to feed in a container other than the enclosure. A snake should not be handled after feeding to prevent regurgitation. Follow the link below for more information regarding care.
http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on October 10th, 2018
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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on November 17th, 2017
Check enclosure temperatures. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. A cold snake will not eat. Once that is done, survey the area around the cage for any negative stimuli. This could be bright lights, loud noises or vibrations or lots of traffic. Eliminate or reduce any negative stimuli if possible.
Offer prey at dusk or early evening. Cover the cage afterwards for added privacy and security. If you feed frozen prey, be sure it is thoroughly thawed and warmed before offering.
If he still won't eat, carefully check in and around his mouth for signs of injury or infection. This includes swelling, redness, bleeding or discharge. See your veterinarian if any of these signs are observed.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Buying your first ball python? What are the signs of a healthy one?

A healthy ball python will have smooth skin, clear eyes, no discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth, have a clean vent and be active and we'll muscled. If you buy from a shop, be sure the snake has been kept in an appropriate, clean enclosure. This is a great article about what to look for before purchasing a python: http://royalpython1.tripod.com/id13.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why isn't my new ball python eating? Is she stressed in her new home?

It may be a combination of being in a small cage and a new environment. Ball pythons are notorious for not eating if stressed. Make sure the temperature is correct also. A cold snake will not eat. Wait a few days, then offer a pinkie at dusk of in the evening. Gently tap her nose to elicit a strike. Cover the cage for more privacy/security. You can also try scenting the pinkie with some used gerbil bedding. Ask the local pet store if you can have some from the gerbil cages.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My ball python won't eat or shed. Why is this happening and what to do?

Thank you for reaching out about your ball python - she is really cute! There are a few things you can try/check for the appetite. Often times, when we are seeing issues with appetite, the first thing we try to do is check the husbandry and ensure that it is as perfect as it can be. Sometimes in between seasons the temperatures can get off in the enclosure, and I would recommend checking that first. Also, the humidity can affect the shedding intervals, in addition to the temperature. I would recommend evaluating the temperatures in the enclosure with digital thermometers to ensure that they are appropriate. Also, based on how she looks in the photos, she appears to be in fair body condition, so she may also be regulating herself as far as her weight/appetite goes. This would be a bit of an exception for a ball python, as most of them will overeat and become overweight. But, there are exceptions to the rule and maybe she is one of them! For the prey items - I like that you are using a separate container, and that you are warming the prey items in warm water. Please ensure that the water gets them to body temperature for rodents, which is around 100-102F. Often snakes will eat prey items that are cooler than that, but if a snake is being picky I try to encourage owners to get them measure the temperature to ensure it is warm enough. I hope that this gives you a place to start, and if she doesn't eat despite all of these changes, I would recommend a veterinary visit for her!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My new ball python won't eat its frozen-thawed mice. What's wrong?

Thanks for reaching out about your ball python. Seems like your husbandry is good. Intestinal parasites are common in snakes, more prominent in recent acquisitions. A fecal examination by a veterinarian is probably the first idea. Metabolic disorders or systemic infections are other possibilities. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My Ball Python is weak, not eating, and won't drink. What can I do?

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 September 23rd, 2025

Why is my ball python breathing visibly and struggling to shed?

Any new pet should be examined by a veterinarian within 72 hours of arriving home to confirm good health or to treat any preexisting conditions. If she is having difficulty breathing, she should be seen sooner rather than later in case she has or is developing a respiratory infection. Monitor for lethargy or discharge from the nose or mouth. Increase humidity or soak in warm water to facilitate shedding. You can also use commercial shed sprays that can be purchased online or in most pet stores. Follow this link for more information regarding care of ball pythons: http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Help! My ball python hasn't eaten in 6 months and is losing weight.

Ball pythons are notorious for their "hunger strikes". All parameters seem to be within species ranges. Survey the area around the cage for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises or vibrations, bright lights, cold drafts or high traffic. Reduce or eliminate any if found. Go to the local Petco and ask for a small amount of used (but not dirty) gerbil bedding. Use it to scent prey for your snakes. Gerbils are what pythons eat in the wild, so the scent may trigger their appetites. Soak them both in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to treat or prevent minor dehydration. An exam with your veterinarian would be recommended to diagnose any underlying illness or injury.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share