New guy hasn't eaten yet... - Page 2

**lady_bug87** · 08-08-12, 02:28 PM

I would stick with offering him f/t if it were me or what ever you intend to feed. I wouldn't muck around with offering live at first if you don't intend to feed live permanently it could be tricky to switch them later.

As long as the snake is in good health it's not going to starve itself, at least I don't imagine it would. Also, sometimes a change of environment can make them a little more nervous. When I moved houses a couple of my snakes went off feed and another had a shedding nightmare.

Good luck

**Pareeeee** · 08-13-12, 07:15 AM

Well, tried feeding him again last night. No luck. I raised temps like everyone said. I didn't use the tongs this time, just set it over the heat source in front of his hide and covered his tub with black fabric for security. Stupid snake was still sitting in the same spot this morning, and the mouse was still there. So now its been just over 3wks since he last ate. He should be approximately 6wks old now.

buffcoat · 08-13-12, 12:50 PM

I know how stressful it can be Pareeeee. I have a royal that eats every 3 weeks and will not even strike at a brown/black colored rat. Just be patient. Remember these guys can go months without eating. Just try different things every 7-10 days. When he's hungry, he will eat. I wouldn't worry until he starts losing weight.

mykee · 08-13-12, 01:36 PM

Ok, lets clear this whole deal up once and for all. If the snake has only eaten three meals and will only take live.....feed live. You don't want to mess with such a young ball python, food is important to their development.

As for colour; myth. Snakes don't care what colour their food is; heat signature and movement is all that they care about. Don't listen to anyone that tells you differently. They're wrong..
Leave the food in there for 10-15 minutes and keep an eye on it. Should be gone in no time.
I've successfully gotten probably over 2000 newborn ball pythons to eat over the last 12 years and not once has a ball python refused to eat what I offered it after it was an established eater on live mice.

**Pareeeee** · 08-16-12, 05:19 PM

Ok so I finally caved in and gave him a live fuzzy mouse, and he ate. Finally.

...and don't laugh at me but I almost cried because the baby mouse was so cute. Ok you can laugh at me.

iBaman · 08-16-12, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Ok so I finally caved in and gave him a live fuzzy mouse, and he ate. Finally.

...and don't laugh at me but I almost cried because the baby mouse was so cute. Ok you can laugh at me.

such is the life of having snakes ;D
I get to feed baby bunnies soon, and piglets too!

DavethePython · 08-16-12, 05:39 PM

My ball was about 6 months when I got him and he was impossible to feed. I tried everything. eventually I resorted to holding the prey in the tongs and mimicing live prey by wiggling it. By putting it as far away as possible from him and letting him come to it he got over his "fear" of the prey . A lot of false strikes and misses later he is a great feeder and he likes the hunt. Now he is more of a pig than anything . Best of luck to you , the young ones can be tough.