Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased a wild caught ball in feb. The only problem i have with it is getting it to eat. I know wild balls are one of the trikiest things to get eating, but ive tried many different things. Ive tried just a live mouse,a small live rat, ive tried a fresh killed mouse that was bleeding, ive tried a frozen one, and ive even tried a gerbil. If anyone has any suggestions let me know. This is my first problematic feeder that i have, and i know balls can go while with out eating, but a friend of mine purchased one ass well and has gotten it to eat. If there is any way to get ti to eat let me know.
Thanks

Hi.

You can try a mice with an open skull.So your snake can smell the brain fluits from the mice.

Good luck.

You may consider putting alittle chicken broth on one of the pre-killed mice sometimes that works. Also it may not be feeding because you are trying to watch leave him in a small rubbermaid with a freshly prekilled mouse overnight in the dark and see what happens..
Jbugg

Some WC adapt better than others. Some never adapt. Here is a good link with some excellent help on getting those WC to feed:

Red Dragons Den WC

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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

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A major requirement when trying to get 'wild caughts' to eat, is a HIDE! The snake won't feel secure without one.
Put a hide (or two) in with the snake, and partially cover it with substrate. Leave alone for a couple of days and then introduce live prey. This method works more times than not.
Eric Davies

Gerbils are supposed to be good to get a WC to eat. I have known WC that didn't eat the first year they were in captivity, CBB BP's can be problematic eaters, WC are notoriously worse.
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Nita Hamilton
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Ball Pythons

Thanks all i will try each of these to see what works. i appreciate it!