need a little help

[acd]

I aquired a ball python from a friend. Its been pretty much ignored and neglected for several months. It hasn't eaten in 8 months and pretty much has just been hiding in its cave on top of a heat rock. I have gotten it a heat light and a small rat but it does not seem at all interested in eating. I do not kno the sex or age but it is just over 4ft long. It seems fairly healthy and has been moving around today which they say it hasn't done in months. It is however starting to lose a little weight though. Any suggestions on getting it to eat???

[llovelace]

to BP.net

Well since you just got him, I suggest you read through our BP care sheet, to make sure your husbandy is correct. Let the snake settle in for a few days, then offer it a prey item that's 10% of the snakes weight, or no bigger than the widest part of the snake. Lose the heat rock.

[CoolioTiffany]

^^^First post is spot on.

If, however, even after you've gotten the correct husbandry down and the snake still won't eat, trying live might stimulate a better feeding response. This should be done if the snake is ignoring F/T rodents. Perhaps trying one adult mouse would be best. Rats can do quite the damage when there's a chance to bite even if the snake is already constricting it.

[acd]

Thanks for the advise, I have been reading the caresheet and will be working on that. They did feed it live prey and thats what I got it but I will try to get all the other issues worked out before feeding again. Thanks again!!