Ball Python Won't Strike At Food

[cheosamad]

Sorry that I keep making so many threads, noobir here. I'm currently having issues feeding my male ball python. He is the only one who won't eat (my female just took down her second meal right on schedule.

My male absolutely refused to show interest in the f/t rats and the fresh killed. The last 2 weeks he has been offered live and both times he same situation. He smells at it, and S's up at it but he never strikes. I've included a picture. Eventually the rat will smell at him and he runs away.

He even stretches out his jaw or 'yawns' as some people call it.

Is he just not interested? I haven't been handling him except when he peed this week. I'm trying to let him get comfortable. I know he was eating on a weekly basis before I got him so idk what the issue is.

Husbandry seems alright. Hot spot at exactly 90. Good snug hide for him ect ect. Everyone else seems to be thriving thus far.

Maybe he is just on a hunger strike? Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated.

Again, I apologize for posting so much, I just have so many questions and it seems like as soon as one gets answered, two more rise up.

Also before it comes up, I'm only offering once a week. I know offering too much can stress him out.

[StillBP]

I wouldn't worry about it till he starts loosing weight
if you just got him a few weeks ago he will eat sooner or later
I have a male right now going on 6 months with out eating driving me nuts but he is still healthy
let him calm down don't handle him and he will eat as long as the temps and hides and humidity are right

[cheosamad]

I wouldn't worry about it till he starts loosing weight
if you just got him a few weeks ago he will eat sooner or later
I have a male right now going on 6 months with out eating driving me nuts but he is still healthy
let him calm down don't handle him and he will eat as long as the temps and hides and humidity are right

Ill weigh him again in the middle of the week. Last I checked he was at 946 grams. I'll see if he holds that weight. What would be considered significant weight loss?

[cheosamad]

Nevermind. He just killed it lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hannahshissyfix]

Oh good, I was going to suggest trying to feed him a little boy named Georgie.

[cheosamad]

Oh good, I was going to suggest trying to feed him a little boy named Georgie.

Yeah. I had to help but he finally took it. It sounds sorta cruel (trust me it made me feel really bad but I had a hunch and it worked) I had to hold the rat by its tail in his face. He was always shying away when the rat smelled him back so by dangling it and offering it straight to his face he wasted no time. Slammed it. Maybe this was the trick all along?

Now if I'm lucky this trick can be used to switch him to F/T in a few weeks.