Ball Python Will Not Eat?

Question

Hey guy quick ball python question. I got my first ball python on June 14, 2015. The person I got him from said he will eat live or f/t. I have been trying f/t ever since I got him, but he does not want them so today I tried a live he still did not want it. I did all my research b4 getting him. I know ball pythons r not great eaters, but I thought at his age (just under 1 year old) bc he is so young it would not be as big of a problem. Any1 have any ideas as 2 y he may not being eating? How long would u let a ball python of his age go with with out eating b4 worrying? Any ideas as 2 how I can get him eating?

Answer 1

Could have a nervous eater. These are shy snakes. And eating is one of a snake's most vulnerable times, as their mouth is full and they cannot defend themselves. I had an adult male bp that I switched from live to f/t. It can take a few tries, but it sometimes can be done. What I found with him was that he was nervous about me watching him. I used what a breeder I knew suggested. The paper bag method. Get a brown paper bag, put the dead animal in it and put the bag in the snake's cage standing upright. Lower the snake into the bag and fold the top of it over. Shut the cage and leave for an hour. I recommend doing this in the evening, as they are more active and alert at that time. Sometimes this method will take a few tries, as the snake doesn't understand what the bag is the first time or two. What I like about this is that when the snake wants to get out, it can easily knock over the bag and find itself in its cage. This is also nice because then you don't have to try moving an animal that may or may not be in feed mode back to its enclosure.

Answer 2

Males can get sexually active under an a year and less than 500 grams (some have been reported) but you definitely need to check your humidity and temps, cool and hot side. Using belly heat (heating pad),. Try to feed him at dark hours since snakes usually hunt late through the night. I feed my every monday at 10pm . Some ball pythons are very picky to where they will only eat live and vice versa. One of my ball pythons will not take the dancing zombie but will eat when just thrown into her cage (f/t). Um anyway keep checking his weight normally and if he is losing a lot of weight try live. Its been reported that they can fast up to 18months. But usually in the summer they pick up there weight for next breeding season. Good luck

Answer 3

Try cracking the skull of the prey. Itl attract you snake to its feeding. Also heat the prey up(dip it into boiling water. Don't heat too much or itl explode) snakes sense heat and will assume it's prey is live. You could also try a little drop of chicken bovril on the prey(Iv never actually tried this although a lot of people say it's worked for them) you shouldn't really worry just yet, bp can survive on average 4 mice/rats a year.hope this helps!

Answer 4

Just keep trying to feed him until he eventually wants to eat it