OK. You've only had him for a week. It's not unusual for Royals to turn their noses up at food to start with. Leave him alone for a couple of weeks, only going near him to change his water or substrate. He needs time to settle in to his new home. He may well be defensive because he's young and thinks everything bigger than him is going to eat him. My Byron (who I've had since a hatchling) bit me once. Very quickly learnt I did not fancy putting snake on my menu and has never even hissed at me since. They can bite but it is not malice, only that they are scared.
What are you feeding him on? Rat pups or mice?
My Royal, Byron as a baby wouldn't even look at rat pups. He would only eat mice. I started him off with fuzzies, then when he ate that for a while, put him onto small mice, then as his appetite increased, larger mice. He went off feed for about 3 months during the winter months which is quite common with Royals and provided the snake doesn't lose weight, or appears ill is nothing to worry about. It's got something to do with a hibernation instinct. When he decided it was time to start eating again, he turned his nose up at mice, but will whack back a weaner rat or two and positively lick his lips
I warm his dinner up with my hairdryer, which works fine if the rodents are small. Heat them up in a watertight freezer bag in hot water if the rodents are bigger, then finish them off with the hairdryer. I've found my Royals won't look at the rodents if they are wet. They definitely prefer blow-dried rodent!!!
I handle my Royals quite a lot. Bobby (who was a rescue) is quite shy but is getting less jumpy when being handled now. Sadly, he'd a very bad start to life and due to neglect and ignorance, he nearly died
Happily, he was rescued by caring people who nursed him back to health, then we gave him a permanent home and he's gone from strength to strength and is beautiful now.
Byron (the one I've had since a hatchling) seems to like being handled. He is an exception to the rule. If I don't handle him, he doesn't eat. If I handle him he eats like there's no tomorrow, but he is the exception to the rule.
I'd give your Royal time to get accustomed to his new home. If he won't eat rat, try him on mouse but make sure it is warmed up thoroughly. Royals tend to turn their noses up at food items that are not at the right temperature.
If you want to talk more off forum, then please do not hesitate to PM me.
As an afterthought, make sure your temps are set right. I have my Royals at 92 deg F warm end, no less than 84 deg F cool end. Humidity is usually about 50% except when they're shedding and I bump it up to 55% - 60% by using a fine spray several times a day. No problems with shedding.
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Originally Posted by Lady Python
I handle my Royals quite a lot. Bobby (who was a rescue) is quite shy but is getting less jumpy when being handled now. Sadly, he'd a very bad start to life and due to neglect and ignorance, he nearly died
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