Help! I think my ball Python is Blind!

[Snakeo]

I have a ball python and he is about 6 months or so old. We got him from Petco and he was on frozen. That's what we fed him ever since.

On Sunday (his feeding day) I held it by the tail in front of him. (that's the only way he will eat) And he tried to strike at it but he went 3 or 4 inches out of the way! He kept missing 2 or 3 times after this. I am worried about him! And If I set his mouse down Its like he doesn't even notice it.
Could someone help? Thanks

[alan12013]

Sometimes they just might not be interested in eating so it will seem that he can't see it. What are your temps like for him inside his enclosure? Is there any reason he would be stressed out? Does he live alone? How log have you had and and how may times has he ate without issue? When did he shed last? How do you thaw his food and do you zap it with a blow dryer? Can you post pics of his eyes? He might have shedding over his eyes. How much does he weigh? If you had access to a scale that would be helpful. For now try feeding him in the dark and make sure you warm up the food a bit with hot water or a blow dryer. I would really like to see a picture of his eyes though or if you can not load a picture describe them so we know for sure that there isn't remained shed on them.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

It would not matter if your BP was really blind which he probably isn't, he would still manage to strike.

It's not abnormal when feeding F/T, the main problem is that the prey is often not warm enough.

You are worrying over nothing

[Philip451]

We have a couple feeders who take a few tries sometimes. I also have a completely blind ball python, and he still feeds just fine, so, I think either way things will work out

[Ssprice]

Deborah got it about right in my experience. The few times my ball has missed it was always a temperature issue, where I hadn't warmed the prey enough. It almost seemed to confuse her, she knew it was there but couldn't "see" it due to it not being warm enough. I've started heating it more and the problem has not reappeared

[kylearmbar]

Hes probably not blind. Try warming up the good item with a blow dryer or something his heat pits help him lock onto pretty for more accustomed strikes.

[kylearmbar]

Hes probably not blind. Try warming up the good item with a blow dryer or something his heat pits help him lock onto pretty for more accustomed strikes.

Food item /lock onto prey. Sorry wrote that fast and on my phone.

[LLLReptile]

Like others have pointed out, it is probably due to food not being quite warm enough when offered. As Deborah pointed out, even if the snake was blind, it'd still be able to strike easily using its heat pits.

-Jen

[CORBIN911]

Feed him when its darker, if find they strike better, when they just rely on there heat sensors.