Wanting a ball python, but having a bad experiences

[Minkness]

I only have 2 BPs. I was also aftaid of the horror stories of their terrible feeding issues. My 1st one did not disapoint in that either since he went over a month, almost 2, before FINALLY taking a large mouse. He was off and on for another 2 months, but once he was established in a routine, he's not turned a meal down yet! Even while in blue! My personal experience (since I refused to feed live) was to wait him out, leave him alone, and at the same time get more interactive while feeding. I thaw the rodent out well first, let it get warm to the touch, then I blast the hot water so hot it burns me, and run it over the rat's head and shoulders. From there I take it directly to him and make it dance to get his interest. He likes to play woth his food though and mock kill it....so I may have to rehear his rat 2-3 times using the same super hot water. By the 2nd time usually he takes it. I don't consider it a refusal because he does take it in the end.

My other BP, Amara, has not refused a meal since the day I got her and acrually ate the same day I got her home. I like to at least offer them a meal on their new home in the 1st or 2nd day just to see if they will take it, and she did, and has been slamming them back ever since!

I can't speak for your last BP, and I'm sorry to hear he didn't work out for you....but I thinka second try couldn't hurt.

I keep my guys in a simple set up of a hot hide, something to climb over, and a large water dish on the cool side. This has given me fairly active, comfortable, and easy feeding BPs so far. =)

Also, while I am a serious advocate for hoggies as well, they can be even more unpredictable in their feeding habbit. Had 1 female eat great for one month, then refused EVERYTHING for 2 months...she's now comfortably on a 2 week feeding schedule, even though I want her on a 7 day routine. She just won't donit and if I over offer, she refuses for longer periods of time. Also, all of my hoggies go though a very hissy 'teenage' phase where all they want to dobis make you think they are the deadliest thing this side of the sun! I find it adorable since they are small, but many people (including the people I got 4 of my rescues from) were terribly intimidated and became completely hands off with one as she had also developed striking the glass if they passed her tank....since I have had her there has been NO glass strikes, and 2 months of some of the loudest hissing I could imagine! But now...she's easy, if a bit more squirmy than my others.

Every snake has its pros and cons, it's embrasing them both that makes for an awesome experience. =)