Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My wife and I are new to snakes. So we got a ball python. Not knowing how to choose one we just got a baby. Well we have had her for 4 months now and have had to force feed here with help from a friend. She just won't eat on her own. She has hiding boxes, heat, water, and its humid in her cage. We have tried pinky mice/rats/gerbils, along with fuzzies, nothing she just won't eat. Please any suggestions would be helpful. I really don't want a 4 foot ball that I have to force feed, but don't worry not getting rid of her ever.

Thanks
Mike

get him/her mad, take tongs and hold a smaller prey item by its tail with the tongs and gently tap the snake on the snout repeatedly usually the snake will get annoyed and strike and wrap the mouse from there it will usually start eating on its own after 1 or 2 feedings like this

In the same vein as this, however, don't pester her with it. If she turns away from the food after a couple times, leave her alone. In fact, leave her alone for a few days, don't get her out or anything, and try again. Some balls, if you start pestering them with food, they start associating it with bad vibes. Give her time... she's just a baby. Even human babies have to learn how to eat.
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1.1.1 Ball pythons (Diablo, Mercedes, and Nikita)
0.2.0 Cats (Kate and Clarice)
1.0.0 Rabbits (Milosh)

Had the same problem..mine was around 18"..she wouldn't feed no matter what we tried,for the whole month and a half.I did the last resort,the smallest live mouse I could find(3 pet stores later)I watched close 'cause she didn't seem interrested,but the mouse went and sniffed at my Balls nose(duhh) and she took it I've been doing this for about 3 feedings so far and she's getting better..drop the mouse in and she's in "hunt" mode,just watch the size of the mouse..a live fuzzy or close to it is about perfect,they really can't harm your snake,expecially if your watching.And if the first one don't work try a different color..mine seems to favor the light grey/brown mice.
And I can't stress this enough...don't worry too much,unless yours seems to be getting a little thin.she/he will eat sometime.I'd love to just keep going on but I don't want to get too winded so if I can be more help feel free to ask.
Mdietlin@nycap.rr.com