Ball python

[bigchickenman]

I was wondering if someone could help me with my snake.She hasn't eat anything in about four months and was eating every month or so.I noticed yesterday that she is keeping her mouth open part of the way and looks like her lips I guess you call them are dry and scabby looking.If someone could help me I would greatly appreciate it.Thanks

 

[gritsar]

Is there any swelling around her mouth? They can get an abcess in the mouth (sorry can't remember the name of it right now).
Do you feed live or dead?

 

[bigchickenman]

no swelling that I can tell and I feed her live.Thanks for your reply

 

[gritsar]

Lots of people don't feed live, because the prey can bite the snake and cause an infection.
When I had a ball, she wouldn't accept anything but live.
I can tell you what I did when my ball went on a hunger strike (and hope it doesn't get me in hot water with the rodent lovers here

). I got her the closest thing I could to her natural prey - a gerbil. She took it right down.
Good luck.

 

[bigchickenman]

Thanks a lot. I've tried giving her mice,rats,and baby rabbits and she has eaten all three in the past but she won't eat none of these for me.Thanks I'll try a gerbil and see what happens.

 

[Epona142]

I would recommend a more specialized forum.

I've been on ball-pythons.net for a long time and there are some GREAT people on there.

Sounds like you might have an issue, or maybe none at all. Royals are notorious for hunger strikes.

The mouth thing is what has me slightly concerned. Could be mouth rot.

Try to get some good pictures, or a really detailed description, and visit ball-pythons.net

Good luck

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
That's the phrase I was reaching for earlier, but my brain just couldn't get ahold of it!