Hi All

I'm new here and have been lurking a while before we got our python to find out more about them, so I know feeding problems are quite commo for them. I've been checking over old posts on here but one thing I can't find is how long after they arrive home should they start feeding?

We bought our baby on Monday (she's about 1 1/2 to 2 ft long and 12 weeks old). They let us hold her in the shop when we looked at her the week previously and she was (still is) all action and movement - no signs of stress or balling. When picked her up they said she was feeding OK - but of course now she won't eat. We bought a little frozen mouse at the same time and was going to wait till the next day to feed - but as it had defrosted by the time we got home we offered it that evening.

What we did next was wrong - we know that now - but as she was so fearless and wanting out we let her out for probably 1/2 hour at a time that evening (offering her the mouse which was ignored), and again the following couple days she loves being out and exploring and interacting with her humans. But I guess we shouldn't have so yesterday I decided she was to stay in and not be handled considered she hadn't fed. She now stay in until she has fed and then we'll leave her for the 24-48 hours till it's digested.

She is housed in the small plastic container recommended to us with under cage heating one end - temps are a perfect 80(cool) and 90 (warm) with humidity up at 60%. Her hide is up the hot end and her water bowl down the cool end. The cage is in my 17-year old daughter's room (it's her snake) which is quiet with no loud music and traffic going through it.

We've tried waving the mouse around, and just leaving it there with her outside her hide last night. It's still there this morning

I guess I really worry about the non-feeding and don't really like the idea of force feeding. I've heard they love and can become addicted to gerbils - but the problem in the UK is getting them I think - but are they suitable or too fatty or anything? It's not as though she's used to live food as it's apparently banned in the UK and she was brought up on frozen/thawed anyway.

So I wonder how long it should take now for her to start feeding and how long I should wait before taking her for force feeding (but I really hate that idea).

Thanks for reading my ramblings so far.

Sue

with Jap Spitz Dog Bobby, Charlie the Hormonal Black Headed Caique, Beady the Bearded Dragon and now Emily the BP