Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 balls a male and female. I was feeding them that I later found out was too small for them so I started feeding them bigger. They both ate the first new mouse fine, but after the first mouse the female will not eat. She will strike at the mouse and sometimes try to kill it but well then let it go, or kill it and not swallow it. I know the food is not to big because she has ate as big or bigger before. What should I do to get my snake to eat. And can you not tell me to feed pre-killed it dosent work with my snakes I have tried.
Brandon

if you dont feed them pre killed what will happen when they get 4feet and need large mice that can kill them if they aren't hungry? but to answer your question....balls go on hunger strikes and dont eat for a while sometimes, keep trying to feed it for a couple days and if it doesnt then wait 5 days and try again until it does. dont offer it every day though.

also switch ur bp to f/t or p/k as soon as possible

if your snake goes longer then a couple month i would go to a vet.....even though thats unlikely to happen

First off...your snake WILL eat pre-killed. But its something YOU have to work on...not your snake. Try over and over again until it works if you really want to switch over. Maiden_canada is right in that feeding live can become a problem when you're dealing with rats that are big enough to kill your snake.

Second...if you are worried that one prey item is not enough for your ball python and it consistantly refuses a second item (like my bp) I would suggest stepping up the size of prey so that only one item is needed.

Third...If you are going to feed live (as I sometimes do) then know the rules (I'm sure you already do)...Never leave your snake unattended with live prey...never leave live prey with your snake for more than 5-10 minutes...be prepared to intervene between a biting and pissed of rat and a biting and pissed off snake.

1. Unless they are wild-caught, they WILL eat f/t. Try harder.
2. Get them on rats ASAP, mice SUCK.
3. Snakes go off feed for as long as year. Don't stress it.
4. Sounds like you may keep the two snakes together, if that's the case, seperate them immediately.