I haven’t been able to find much information online so if anyone has any advice it’s very appreciated. I want to start by saying Im pretty sure my husbandry is correct, I’ve been through my care guides so my temps/ humidity and hides are okay.

my baby ball python (not sure of exact age but when I got her in feb she was 178 grams) has not eaten in two months. She’s very defensive towards her food and defensively strikes at it instead of eating it. She has gone from 229 grams to 190 grams in these 2 months. I never handle her unless it’s to weigh her and her enclosure it very filled out to make her feel safe plus I have blocked off all of the sides of her terrarium so she can’t see out.

I have only tried to feed F/T rat pups and mice hoppers but she has the same reaction to both. When I first got her she managed to eat but only after striking defensively for at least 10 minutes and then coiling. But now she just buries her head after being defensive. I have not tried live mice or rats because I figure she will be more scared of something live. It is possible that she does not recognize the F/T rats as food? Do you think she may go for a live rat/ mouse despite her defensive behaviour? Thank you so much to anyone who helps, I am very stressed at the moment that she will starve herself to death.