ball python troubles.

[heathkno89]

I have two ball pythons about 4 months old. One is a great eater and is growing steadily. The other refuses to eat. They are kept in the same tank and have been since hatchlings. I offer him f/t pinkies and fuzzys no luck. Live pinkies and fuzzys.. no luck. I end up force feeding him yes I knw how stressful it is. I went three weeks without feeding him and still no luck. I'm hoping its something he will grow out of.. anyone have similiar problems? In my 10 years of snakes I've never had one this difficult.

[Annarose15]

Separate them, period. Ball pythons are stressed by cohabitation. If he's already a picky eater (or just simply a Ball python), this could lead to him refusing to eat. Put him in a small tub (6qt or so) with aspen bedding, leave him alone for a few days, and try a live fuzzy rat or mouse hopper.

[Animals As Leaders]

I'm going through the same thing with two of my hatchling's right now. I can tell you what others have told me, which I'm in the process of doing also.

1. Put the snake with a small hopper mouse in a brown paper bag. The dark space will make the snake feel more secure, and creates a smaller enviroment. This is thought to entice the snake more.

2. Live HOPPER mice are what you want to be feeding in the first place. Pinks, and fuzzies are good to assist feed with, but don't make a lot of movement. They might be looking for a more feisty meal.

Like I said I'm still in the process of trying these myself, but its good advice from knowledgeable people on here. Good luck and don't give up!

EDIT! Separate them ASAP! That is most likely your culprit right there!

[CoolioTiffany]

First post is spot on. Some Ball pythons will become stressed if there's another present in the enclosure. This is also one of many reasons why people choose to not house their snakes together.

[heathkno89]

He acted scared of the hoppers I offered him. So I thought maybe a lil smaller and he would take them.

[RestlessRobie]

X3 on seperate enclosures Sounds like a stressed out snake

[Annarose15]

He acted scared of the hoppers I offered him. So I thought maybe a lil smaller and he would take them.

Rat fuzzies don't move around as much, and are a more appropriately-sized meal than mouse pinkies. When he gets older, you'll most likely want him on rats anyway for convenience at feeding time.

But the first thing is to get him his own, private enclosure, and not just for feeding.

[meowmeowkazoo]

x4 on moving them to separate enclosures. Not just for feeding reasons, but for general health.