Baby BPT wont eat

[Matt T]

Just got Baby Ball Python for my 10 yr old son. He is very docile nad easy to handel. Had him 2 weeks and he wont take thawed warmed up pinkey.
Any suggestions on getting him to eat??

[Daybreaker]

Mice or rat pinky? If it's a mouse pinky that's much too small: he can easily take at least mouse hoppers/small mice.

Try leaving it in with him overnight, try prescenting the tub/tank (I use a hairdryer to warm the feeder and kinda blow the feeder smell around the tub), or try feeding live. Make sure your husbandry is spot on as well, and I would give him at least a week to settle in before your next attempt at feeding if you just got him.

[DooLittle]

Well, first let's make sure you have him set up right. What is you tank like, hides? What are temps and how are you controlling them? Also, any new bp should be left alone for a week after you bring them home. Then try to feed. No handling until they are established eaters. If you are handling him you could be stressing him out. Once you get him eating, then you can gradually start to handle him, 5 minutes at a time building up. Is the pinky thawed out completely? Is it warm enough for him to get a feed response? You can hit it with a hair dryer to warm the head. Bps can go off feed at the drop of a hat. So you need to make sure husbandry is spot on. You can also try leaving a rat pup (with eyes still shut) in his tank with him. It can't hurt him, and he may be inclined to eat if left alone with his meal. Good luck!

[dragonboy4578]

Have you been handling him since you picked him up? Baby bp's can stress out easily and I try to leave them alone until they have eaten for me once or twice.

Do you know what it was feeding on before you picked it up. Was it eating live or f/t?

What is your setup for him? Can you give use details about the cage, hides, temps, and humidity. All of this can be helpful information to help figure out if there is a problem.

[PitOnTheProwl]

All above X2?

Where did you get him and what was he being fed?

[PitOnTheProwl]

pictures can also help of his home

[Matt T]

Well, first let's make sure you have him set up right. What is you tank like, hides? What are temps and how are you controlling them? Also, any new bp should be left alone for a week after you bring them home. Then try to feed. No handling until they are established eaters. If you are handling him you could be stressing him out. Once you get him eating, then you can gradually start to handle him, 5 minutes at a time building up. Is the pinky thawed out completely? Is it warm enough for him to get a feed response? You can hit it with a hair dryer to warm the head. Bps can go off feed at the drop of a hat. So you need to make sure husbandry is spot on. You can also try leaving a rat pup (with eyes still shut) in his tank with him. It can't hurt him, and he may be inclined to eat if left alone with his meal. Good luck!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

In the majority of cases when a young animal refuses to eat for a new owner it's often husbandry related.

The more info you will give the better people will be able to guide you to help you with this issue.

How big is the BP?

How big is his enclosure?

What are the temps? and what type of thermometer do you measure them with? ( Digital or analog?)

Do you provide tight identical hides with all sides touching the BP's body?

How often as this BP been handled?

What was he previously feeding on?

A young BP should really not be house in something much larger than 6 or 15 quarts tub ideally with aspen bedding and 1 or 2 tight hides, with temps of 78/80 and 86/88 and I would also recommend not to handle this BP until he is a consistent feeder.

As far as food an appropriate size prey equal the girth size of the animal should be offered, if fed pinky mice those are TOO small (BP are generally started on hoppers and quickly move to adult mice)

Live for now is recommended at least until he feeds for you successfully a few time.

[Matt T]

All above X2?

Where did you get him and what was he being fed?

Pet Co is where we got him and I was told he was eating pinkeys(mice)
I will take the advise in the last few posts and hopefully can get him to eat.
Thanks for the input

[PitOnTheProwl]

I think petco does frozen but I would get a small live hopper.
Make sure everything else is spot on first