I posted a thread recently about having a stubborn little baby that just wouldn't eat for me. Over the weeks I was growing more concerned that she just wouldn't get the hang of it and need to be either assist fed or force fed which was the last resort. Over that time I had tried live Rats, Mice and even ASF's of varying sizes but she just seemed to want to flee whenever the prey was introduced. Today something different happened and the hopper started harassing the snake by walking all over her and stepping on her head. I was just about to call this attempt a fail when all of a sudden she started pushing the hopper up against the side of the tub. The hopper tried to wiggle itself out and with her head across the tub she wrapped her body around the hopper and started the big squeeze. All through this I held completely still fearing that if I started moving the vibration would get her to release so I just watched. At this point I was getting hopeful but with her head across the tub I still had doubt. After a minute or two the little one released and started to frantically look for the head and start swallowing!!
Just wanted to share this little episode in the life of a ball python keeper for all of the others out there with beautiful little babies that just don't want to eat. Never give up on them some are just better predators than others!![]()