Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok my ball python is like a week and 3 days old... he hasnt eaten... and i think it might be cuz ive handled him since the first day i bought him... ive read everywhere that it might be because i handled him, and i should leave him alone for a few weeks.... he looks healthy.. hes always lookin for a way to escape.. haha... hes da coolest.... so i left him alone for 2 days and threw a thawed mouse their for overnight, we will see what happens.... If he doesnt eat it should i be worried???? Please respond....

Jay

I mean day.. not weeks, that would be kinda mean to deprive him of food for weeks...

When you say its a week and three days old, do you mean this literally, or do you mean that you've had it for this duration??
I would ask the breeder(store) where you got him/her what it was eating for them(ft,live,fk,mice,rats). If it was eating at all.
I would leave it alone totally for a week and then try to feed it. If it doesn't eat, wait another week and try again. I personally do not handle any new snakes until they have eaten for me 4 different times, but I have other snakes that are established that I handle to get me through the wait.
TomChambers

Don't panic. As long as your snake isn't skinny he'll be ok for a few weeks or even months - I can't say for sure without seeing or knowing the history of your snake. Make sure you have fresh water for him and a good hiding place so that he feels secure. Don't handle him for more than a few mintutes each week at the moment. Make sure you have his vivarium temperature correct - if it's too cold he won't want to eat. He may not eat thawed mice, but I suggest trying thawed mice of different colours (on separate occassions) in and around his hiding place. You could try 'braining' the mice a bit or offering them with tongs.

My ball python will only eat live mice or mice that are killed within the last few minutes.

I bought a baby BP on June 28 that was four days old. Had not shed or eaten yet. He shed on July 4, and finally decided to eat on July 17. I handled him a few times in between, but not a lot. I have kept in contact with the breeder I got him from. With one exception, the entire clutch wasn't hungry until the week of the 17th. Some clutches' yolks just last them longer than others. Don't stress about it. They will eat when they get hungry. I wouldn't start to worry till a couple of months have passed, or he is losing a lot of weight.

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"I am a cop, and you will respect my authoritae!"-Cartman

Dude, I was kinda drunk when i wrote that message.. lol sorry... Ive had him for like a week and 3 days... The temperature is right.. im thinkin bout doin that braining thing.. cuz hes still not eating... thnx for feedback