Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i've had my python for about 3 weeks now and it should be feeding on fuzzies.... when i give it one it just goes up to it, sits for a few seconds, and goes right by it, im not sure if he's just not hungry, or if he's not used to the surrondings yet, how can i (if there is a way) help feed it.....

...... i feed my snakes in a 2 by 1 foot rubbermaid tub, and put the heating lamp over a portion i've cut into the top???

.... any info would be great thanx

I'm assuming you feed f/t by the description.

Try this.

Take him out, at night, and put him in said feeding container.
Put a hide in there for him.
Lay the food by the entrance of the hide and turn off the lights.

He may just not like an audience.

My female used to eat anything that dropped into her cage. Now she will only eat a pre-killed rat if I leave it on top of her hide and leave the room, lights off.
Funny how picky they get.
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-Man fears the beast in the Wolf because he does not understand the beast within himself.

Dont be worried about it. Three weeks is nothing. When it becomes three months then you can be concerned although that still wouldn kill your snake. Alot of your dilema could be what youre offering and/or how youre offering it.

A useful tip: I would personaly try to avoid touching the snake before offering it food. Ya people like to suggest feeding snakes in a separate enclosure but i think its hosh posh. Honestly, ball pythons are not typicaly aggressive and its not like their ever any real threat so if you can manage to leave him put then do so. All that stuff about feeding outside of the cage so the animal doesnt mistake you for food is for the birds. That all might have sommme truth to it but its not detrimental realy. Youll have better success leaving him put. (for B.Pythons anyway) Differnt snakes react differently when it comes to feeding time. Thats why boas rock because its almost impossible to waste food when feeding boas (BCI/BCC)

Give youre snake some time to chill and keep offering food but do it quietly and carefully so as not to spook it. Snakes...especialy B.Ps in new environments get spooked easily and itll kill the mood fast.
Dont let three weeks freak you out. Try differnt methods: live, fz/th, stunned (if the mouse goes straight up to the head and annoys the snake),---keep the dead stuff about 2-3inches away from the face and be patient. Let him smell it and come after it. Tease him a little by slowly pulling away as he comes nearer. This makes them want it more.

I should be writing books on intimacy..........!!!

Hope this helps.
Brendan
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Without INTEGRITY and HONESTY what else have you!
Brendan Saffron

Even though I came on strong about leaving your snake in its cage for feeding I should back up and mention that I do support some methods that require transfering to another enclosure........like what kingofspades said........hes right about balls not liking audiances. Its very true with many.

Good luck.
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Without INTEGRITY and HONESTY what else have you!
Brendan Saffron

Your enclosure seems a little small. Try a larger container. Also, if you heat up the enclosure before placing the snake in there, the feed box may actually be too warm for the snake to "see" the prey. I feed my pythons at about 70-72 degrees.

In order for their pits to sense the prey, there must be a difference in temperature between the prey and the surroundings. Otherwise, the snake may not even know there is anthing around it.

At any rate, 3 weeks is nothing. I only feed my old mail once every 2-3 weeks. I've had new snakes go over 5-6 weeks before showing interest. Try different methods. You may also want to contact the breeder and find what method they used.

Best wishes.

I meant I only feed my big male every 2-3 weeks. No US postal involved

One other thing you may want to think about if your not already doing it is.... Make sure the surface temp of the rat is around 85 and up! I thaw mine out in the sink useing hot tap water and as soon as i take it out of the sink and the bag it goes straight into the enclosure and usually its around 85 to 90 degrees!
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Mike & Wendy

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