having trouble feeding my new bp

[jbranch]

I ve only had it a week, but i cant help it. Should i worry?:confused:

[marisa]

No!!!! One week is hardly enough time for it to settle in! How many feeding attempts have you already made? If you have been bothering him all week expect him to take at least another week to get comfortable!!!! Leave him 100% totally alone for a week or even two, then try again at night time.

Marisa

[Colonel SB]

Totally it hands off for the first two weeks while the little guy settles in.

[stevesemerko]

I left my female alone for about 2 1/2 weeks and she has eaten every time no problems at all. Remeber to always give your new snakes a good adjustment period. When the 2 weeks are up (or however long you do it) if it doesn't eat try leaving the food item in its hidebox. And remember not to bug it a lot cause you will stress the snake out and that is never good.

Steve

[Pixie]

Ditto on what every one else said, you have to let your new snake settle in and be alone. He has to get to know his new home and not be worried someone's taking him out of putting something in front of his face.

It's hard to resist, I know :) But it will pay off, trust every one here! We've almost all been there before!!!

After a good 10-14 days you can try your first feeding attempt. Don't handle your snake until he's fed at least once or twice, some even recommend longer.

Find a cardboard box or paper bag, get some frozen rats of appropriate size (might as well get it started on rats, trust me on this one!!!). Thaw one out. Put the snake in the box or bag, grab the rat with some thongs and put a few inches from it's head (2-4"), you can dangle or giggle it a bit too to stimulate a feeding response.

If it doesn't go for it right away don't worry, it's very normal. I prefer not too dangle very long and honestly I don't have much patience for it! After a few minutes just leave the rat close by and close the bag or box and leave the snake alone for a few hours, even overnight. Be sure that the snake can't get out and is in a safe place, I like to place the feeding container in their own tanks when they fit so they are in a familiar place and safe if they get out.

If your snake doesn't eat it's a bit frustrating but don't worry, there are a ton of different tricks to try, i.e.: prekilled, different types of prey, braining, chicken broth, ect, ect, ect.!!! Snakes can also go a long time without food and still be very healthy.

Most ball pythons are good feeders but it is not uncommon for them to be fussy or to refuse food.

Pixie

[BallPython13]

Ive asked C python and heres what he told me to do with my python,Ive already handeled him and that is a bad mistake dont mess with him on the first few weeks,now wait two weeks dont try to feed him only change the water every other day.In 2 weeks try to feed him again,and tell us what happends...Good luck!!!Arent ball pythons great...

[ReptiZone]

well I was too late on this one but better late then never I got your E_mail I will answer it right now so I can be more personal.