Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My '03 female BP is super-shy while feeding; I place the f/t mouse in there, and she recoils into her hide. Then after a few minutes, she MAY come out and eat it. But at the slightest vibration, like from me walking by (even w/a towel over her cage) she flies back into the hide. Anyone ever have this type of little shrinking-violet snake?
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"One man's pet is another man's feeder."

In my experience that's pretty common for ball pythons. Sure I've had a few that would eat in shed while you watch them but in general ball pythons are very shy animals – not as easy to feed as say a cornsnake or a boa.

I believe it is while they eat they are vulnerable to being attacked. Their only protection is them biting to defend them selves.
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

that's right; I can't really blame them, then. I would feel the same way too. I was just so used to my first male BP who will keep eating if you were running a marathon through the room
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"One man's pet is another man's feeder."

My ball, Damien is very picky about eating however, I would try purchasing something like a rubbermaid container to put your ball into when feeding this just decreases the potential for accidents this has helped mine and I do this with all my snakes. That way they know they are safe and when it is feeding time and when I am just checking something in there tank

welcome to the world of ball pythons.. people too often call balls docile when they are really just shy.... especially head shy... come times my ball won't eat without his hide and sometimes he will... I do not recomend balls to beginners because of this reason. they are very finicky eaters and can be so shy that when handled inapropriately they can be very stressed out.. I beleive a spotted python is a much better canadate for a begginer!!