ok since in the wild balls feed on several species of african rodents including rats gerbils and gerboas. the do not redily feed on mice and the species of rats that we have in pet stores. they thus have to be converted to new prey. another thing to consider is that in the wild balls stop feeding if the temps drop into the low 70s. it is very important to be patient and do not panic. any wild caught balls imported inbewtween NOV and APR will not feed until JUN. Allow the ball to settle in for two weeks with no handling.the best thing to do is make sure the cage is not to hot. high temps stress them out. another thing is to make sure they have hiding place and DO NOT handle him for a few weeks. use a empty flower pot for a shelter. turn it upright so he can get in but the prey can not, allowing you to be able to put prey in the cage with out any threat to the ball. make sure the temp is around 85. also make sure the ball is not going into shed. at NIGHT introduce two fuzzy rats if this fails then repeat once a week for two weeks. if this fails use the same method using a adult mouse. if this fails then offer a orekilled gerbil (not avoiding us live adult gerbils theses animals can be aggressive and have been knonw to inflict great damage toa a snanke).if this fails try a unweaned gerbil. if none of theses work then take a brown paper bag pucnh two samll holes. put the ball in with a baby rat and staple it shut then place in the inclosure. leave overnight. if this fails then try with a unweaned gerbil. next method. put a small playground bucket in the inclosure at night and put a unweaned rat or gerbil or mouse put a sheet of paper ovetr the top so the ball can get in. leave overt night. if this fails then repeat the procedure using a prekilled rodent. next method is to place some dry grass or leaf litter in the cage (the substrate is for the smell) repepat the aove steps. if he starts feeding then you can then slowly take away the leaf litter or grass over a period of a few weeks. after he has fed 4 times you may begin handeling him for 15 mins once a week. if all these fail then force feed or take to a vet.