finicky eater need help

[lanalizard]

I have an adult ball python that i got from a friend a week ago. She had him in with a female and he used to be a regular eater on hamsters but wouldn't eat when he was with the female (2.5 weeks). When i got him, i was told he should come around in eating since he was a regular eater. I've had him a week and last night he chose NOT to eat.
My question is....how long do i let him go without eating, i know some can go a year but i was wondering how long i should go without trying to force feed? he didn't seem to have any interest in the hamster whatsoever last nite and quite frankly he was scared of it. It was dead of course.

Can anyone give me suggestions? This is my first python and I have an idea what i am doing but i wanna know from other people how long i should go and some suggestions for trying to get it to eat. i have already tried the 'dipping in broth' thing.

[Lisa]

I wouldn't worry about him not eating the first couple weeks. he's just had the stress of moving, you're probably better off not handling the snake for a week or 2. And like you have heard, there have been cases where the snake goes on hunger strike for a year, you don't need to worry about a month or so.

[snakekeeper]

No need to worry. When I first got my baby ball she did'nt eat for 3 months. I was pulling my hair out, just remember it will stress you out more than the snake.

[Terrariumweb.co]

A year !? I think that is a bit too long,.............that will cause serious damage to your snake!
And try to change the hamsters to mice/rats ,..........................i know once they had hamsters they will refuse all other food sources !
And try to feed him at different times ,...............like at night. Dont force him to eat,..................if he getd real hungry,.he will eat ! Dont worry !
Jeroen

[Matt_K]

I believe she was reffering to my snake when she mentioned one year without feeding. I have had this BP now for one year. She has yet to eat for me and i have tried everything. gerbils, hamsters, chicks, mice, rats, f/t, f/k, live, chicken broth, you name and i have tried. I have tried everytime of the day and night including wee hours of the morning. No luck. She hasn't lost any weight and appears to be very healthy, have a look for yourself. <img src="http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/2327nonfeedercopy-med.JPG">

[raebug2000]

here is a trick i learned when i had rat snakes.... get some rat or gerbil pups. get a medium cardboard box and make a hole in one side so the prey cant crawl out. place the box in the snakes cage with the prey inside.

now, believe it or not snakes investigate strange things that smell like food and make little sqeaky noises....


leave the prey in there over night. the fuzzies cant crawl out or bite so its ok.

if you are lucky in the next couple of days your BP will eat whats in the box and curl up to sleep inside to digest.

it never fails, but it might take a few days.