>i have a captive bred and hatched yearling ball python, i just bought on saturday, (snip) right now i think it is to soon for me to worry about the snake eating, hes only been here for 3 days, i know he needs time.... secondly i would think to start a snake off force feeding would stress it out ?? she also claimed to me that a yearling ball python could not live past a month with out eating, i dont believe that either i was under the impression a snake could go well over a month without eating.....

You are right. Your yearling needs some time to settle in, especially if he's in the early stages of shedding. And he's more likely to eat a few days after shedding than any other time.

Force feeding is a last resort. A yearling ball python in good shape could survive six months without eating, in my opinion, though I'd not like to see it go that long. Force feeding should not be necessary, even with a wild caught ball python, and especially not for a captive born and bred snake.

I'd not let those pet shop people lay a finger on any snake of mine.

Paul Hollander

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