Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i finaly got my blood python, the problem is he wont eat i need help i have delt with with balls in the past adn have six various snakes now that i have no problem with my blood is about 2 foot long im guessing he is about a year old he has shed since i had him im pretty sure his temps and humdity are right what size prey should i offer him mice or rats ive tried both pk or live my ball python i have now will only eat live i really need some help ive always wanted a blood he seems to be healthy any suggetions will be greatly appericated

How long have you had him? Bloods tend to take a little while to completely settle in before they feel comfortable eating. I'd wait a few weeks, during which time handling should be kept to a minimum as well. If you need to start off on live food first, then try rat pups instead of adult mice. The rat pups are much less likely to hurt your snake if a mistake is made when he strikes. Mice can do some pretty serious damage!
What size cage do you have him in? What are your temps and humidity at? Do you have hidespots for him?

ive had him about two weeks temps are 85-90 during day and 76-81 during the night i got him in a rubbermaid box not sure what size it is but its plenty of room i have a hide box with hoss in it i mist his enclosure daily

Hey,
I find that with new charges, the best way to get them feeding on a regular schedule, is to allow them the first week or so (7-14 days), to adjust and acclimate; make no attempt at feeding. (Feeding trials can begin after the adjustment period).

However, if you feel you have the confidence to begin feeding trials sooner, that of course is pretty discretionary, and can take place at any time during the acquisition of your blood. I sometimes do begin feeding trials a few days after first receiving an animal and have even fed some successfully on their first day in their new home.

My preferred method for feeding new animals, is to offer food from a pair of 12 inch forceps. The food is offered at night, when the feeding response is most likely to be at its highest. The food is warmed up in a small container using hot water, if it is a frozen thawed mouse and is then presented to the snake with the head of the animal first. Sometimes the snake will sniff around the food item first before grasping it, or it will grab it immediately. The idea is to be able to release the food as quickly as possible with little to no hesitation as this can startle the snake and can cause it to drop it. Sometimes tapping the snake with the food gently on its nose, after it has shown some interest in the food will elicit a feeding response.

Make sure that the food is always warmed up enough, as bloods and short-tails, will zero in on the heat and will target the heat source, using scent as a secondary que.
If the snake is in its hide box, you can offer it food in front of the opening of the hide box with the forceps and hold it there while you wave the food in front of the hide spot and tap the opening gently with the mouse to attract its attention. If all is well, and the snake has been made to feel secure in its new home, it should strike and redraw along with the mouse into its hide with the food.

Also, it is important that the lights in the room be dimmed as they do not like to feed (with exceptions), when the lights are too bright. Albeit, a great feeder will feed at anytime of the day with lights dimmed or off. If feeding from forceps does not work, try placing the food in front of the hide spot opening and leaving it there over night. Even placing the food half into its hide with the rear portion of the mouses body sticking out of the box will work.

Be sure to feed when the room is quiet and with as little distraction as possible. Always use fresh food!
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"Until we lose our self, there is no way of finding our self."
-Henry Miller.

Sometimes it does take a week or two to settle in with any snakes. Try asking the person that sold you the animal what the feeding habits were on your snake. Also, sometimes I find with some of my bloods that if you just place a fresh killed rodent in the pin and come back several hours later that the food will be gone. Shy ones like to eat alone Best of luck. greenman38