Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found 2 reticulated python hatchlings, one is about 17 in and the other about 12 in in my own home. I used to take care of the same but it was bigger then about 6 ft when I got it from a pet store so there was no difficulty feeding it, until it got out of its cage and was never found. I tried feeding these hatchlings with pup mice but they didn't eat it. (They're in separate plpastic boxes by the way.) I said maybe they weren't hungry then but after a few more days I tried feeding them again this time with still small mice but not pups since none were available. Again they would not eat them. Could it be that the mice were still too big for them and can't swallow them or they're just not hungry just yet? The thing is, when I held them, they also opened their jaws and wanted to like swallow me but not never in "striking fashion". So that led me to think they were hungry. What can I feed it with in case its the size of the feed that's the problem? I was told lizards could be fed to them but they're just too difficult to catch. A guy from a supposed exotic pet store told me I could offer fresh meat cut in a tiny cube (tried it but that didn't work and wonder now whether that's at all possible).
I would appreciate it if anyone with experience in caring for hatchlings could help. I'm beginning to worry, wondering how long they can last without food. Its almost a month now since I found them. Thank you.

How is it that you just found them? Did you have eggs that hatched?

I think what he meant was they escaped and he recently recovered them.
If it were me I think I would have left that part of the story out.