Reptile & Amphibian Forums

2 month old ball python hatchling will not eat. I've tried hoppers, fuzzies, and pinky mice (all live) with no luck. Temperature, humidity, and habitat are all good. Other hatchlings from clutch are eating with no problem. Any ideas?

Take a small, dead pinky mouse or rat. Dip it in water. Carefully shove the head of it inside the snake's mouth. CAREFULLY! Slightly push the pinky into the throat canal. The snake will try to slip away and push the pinky out. Don't let it release it. Hold the snake gently behind the head with one hand and keep the pinky in the mouth with the other. Set the snake down in his cage and hold this position until the snake stops fighting you. He will then "bite down" on the pinky. Once you recognize the bite down, slowly remove your hands and the snake will finish off the meal. If you're lucky, it'll start eating on its own the next time. However, I have to sometimes repeat this procedure several times before a picky hatchling will eat on its own. I've been doing this for years. It has always worked for me. I get asked to help other herpers around here and I do the exact same thing every time. Once you've done it a few times it will become relatively easy to do. Good luck.

~np! I agree.

Thank you soooo much! It worked perfectly... I was a little leary to try it earlier but I'm glad I did... Thanks again!

"Temperature, humidity, and habitat are all good"
Define: "all good".
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www.strictlyballs.ca

How big is it?
Try a just weaned adult mouse. All of my hatchlings...and I do mean ALL of them, have been started on small adult mice. It's the only thing that catches their attention.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)