Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thank you for taking the time to read about my BP, this is my first venture outside of the corn world.

My BP has been in his new home for about a month now and I can't get him to eat. I was told that he has ate 2 times before I got him (live fuzzies) and I have been trying to get him to eat f/t. he are the things I have tried so far:

-First I put him in a feeding container (so he wouldn't be on the aspen) and put a f/t mouse in with him that was heated in warm to hot water. He smelled it in the air, went over to it and smelled it a bit, flicked and hit it about 4 times, then turned and went away. At this point I thought he might be shy because this was in a lighted room and their was a TV on and people watching, so I moved him with the mouse to a dark room with no noise and left him their for 3-4 hours. Still nothing so I put him back and fed the mouse to my corn (who will eat anything at any time)

-The next week I tried again with the feeding container but this time I moved the mouse with a pair of tweezers to try to make it look alive, that seemed to get more attention but still no luck, after about a minute he turned away again. After that I placed the warm mouse in a deli cup and put it alone with the BP in to his enclosure, and the next morning nothing.

I’m at a loss on what to try next, I would like to get him on F/T but not sure what to do to get him to like it. Please give any advice or ideas you might have, and feel free to point out anything I might be doing wrong, this is my first BP.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give

Eric

How old is the snake and how big. Is it wc or cb. If its young you may need to feed it live a couple times and slowly switch to f/t. If its older and wc it may be very difficult to do. However if its old and in good health it could go for a year without eating so have patience. Good luck. EP

He was born mid May and has ate 2 live 2 times before I got him.

as far as health, he is active alert and all the temps in his cage are good

they are visual feeders, and they have heat pits, so the animal has to has to give off body heat. There have been alot of people with CB bp's and the animal never ate f/t food, just live.

You can try to heat the mouse up to 100 degrees (on the top of a lampy shade) and then use tongs and make it wiggle like a real mouse to get the snake to be interested in it.

Good Luck!!

Just that they're harder to switch than most...

http://www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answers_Why_do_you_suggest_feeding_thawed.html has some more suggestions on how to switch...
Just keep at it, maybe skip a few feedings so the snake is more hungry?

My baby ball python I got 2 weeks ago is eating f/t like crazy...which is good, all the live mice around here are overpriced.
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-audri
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How are you offering it - same enclosure as he's/she's in or feeding tank of some sort?

heated (im assuming) how? I am heating in hot water think a basking lamp would be better?

feed the BP a small live fuzzy mouse and right when he gets done pounding down that one, quickly put in a f/t fuzzy. BP's have an excellent feeding response, when they get done eating one, they look for more.

I currently have two ball pythons, and had a 3rd in the past. I have always tried this and it has never failed (for me)...I have not had any problems getting them to feed this way, but thats not to say it will always work for everyone...just a suggestion.

Thaw out your frozen mice in warm-to-hot water. After a half hour, empty out the now semi cold water (since the mice act like ice cubes) and add more warm water.
Make sure your ball python is in a hide box. I am not sure about in the wild, but my ball pythons act like ambush predators...they ONLY strike out at a mouse when they think they are hidden by their dark hide box. Maybe that is why if you move them into a feeding box/container...they don't eat.
Next, get some tongs and wiggle the warm mouse in front of the hide box opening...my BP's usually stick their heads out and shake as if in anticipation of a certain kill. After about 10 seconds they usually strike and constrict.
Once again, just a suggestion...I had a friend that had 2 healthy ball pythons...one ate FT mice well, and stopped eating for 6 months for no reason at all...the other went 3 months...eventually they ate again...but odd since no changes or anything were made to their environment. let us know how you make out. and good luck

Most young balls will be able to take a small adult mouse. I currently have 7 balls and all but one will take f/t. You just have to have patience in switching them. If i were you I would feed him live mice for a couple of times and then offer a live mouse followed by a f/t at the same feeding. Its not guaranteed to work but has done well for me. Patience is the key. They can be very picky and go off feed for several months so be prepared for anything. Good luck. EP

I ask the same thing in the ball forum and got only one reply.

I will let you all know what worked after I get a mouse in him.

Eric