Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my neighbors bought a baby ball python at a show few weeks ago. didnt notice when they bought him, but when they brought him home this thing is so skinny you can see its back bone. It does drink water. Has urates but no dark matter to it what so ever. I would almost say it hasnt even ate one meal. few nights ago, he tried feeding it a pinkie rat, it wouldnt take it. so next night he tried a live fuzzy rat, wouldnt take that either. So tonight he tried a live mouse but didnt take that either. he tried today something about "braining" a f/t rat pinkie. sticking a pin or needle in its head to supposedly let the snake smell it better? either way snakes not eating at all. i told him maybe to back off and wait for the next litter of rats to come with in a week or so, and try some live rat pinkies. is there any one else that has had this problem? they were captive bred ball pythons. And like i said when they got it home they noticed its back bone and what not sticking up. any suggestions on what to do?
-----
0.4 Corn Snake
1.1 Apricot Pueblan
0.1 California Kingsnake
1 Albino Nelson
1 Nelson
0.1 Anery Sand Boa
1.0 Orange Sand Boa

Always, Always, Always, ask if it is feeding, for a guarantee, and a phone number! They should be willing to replace it if you aren't happy, or replace/offer refund if it dies for reasons not of your fault. There is assist feeding, sometimes that helps, and there is force feeding which i don't recommend unless it is going to starve to death. There is also tube feeding. All of these things are difficult, so a vet visit might be in order. Good luck.

or just calm down and let the hatchling snake get used to its new environment. attempting a feeding every 24 hours probably isn't helping any either. let him chill for a week or so and try again.