Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was given a male Carpet Python which is about 5 feet long. The guy I got him from claimed to have this snake since it was a baby. He told me that he only fed this snake 2 mice per month, to try and keep him smaller. He was a little thin, but I read that Carpet's were pretty good feeders and saw no problem fattening him up. He said the snake preferred brown mice over white. He talked about using tricks to get this guy to feed at times. He kept the snake in a large opaque Rubbermaid tub with some driftwood and a hide log. I moved it into a 40 gal with a screen top. I handled him some the first day, but have left him alone for the last couple of weeks in case he is stressing.
My problems is this. One, I can't get a hold of this guy who gave me the snake anymore as he moved. I have tried to give this snake 3 mice, 2 brown and a white one today. 2 were dropped into his tank, 1 in a smaller Rubbermaid tub. In all three instances, he only kills the mice, but will not eat them. I have left the mice in with him as long as a few hours to overnight and he doesn't touch them after he kills them. He is starting to get a little thinner now. I have force fed some snakes before, but I don't really want to do that as it usually over stresses the animal and they usually die anyway or you end up force feeding forever. If anybody has a good idea, I will try just about anything
Thanks

First off i'd find the guy and beat his ass....
Is the snake healthy besides not being fed?
Was the previous owner feeding live? Might try a FK rat or mouse off tongs. Also might try feeding it in somthing kinda cramped...i have heard this has worked for others
If you can get away from the mice all together you will be much better off..I'd really try to get it on rats....but if all it will eat is mice...feed that...and lots of them
Also might try chicks...i've never fed them but have been told by many that carpets cant resist them.

Good luck