I have tried everything...

Okay, I purchased a ball python around two to three weeks ago and the personn who sold her to me told me that the ball is not off feed meaning that she should feed for me once she acclimates. Well it has been a while since I got her and she hasn't eaten for me. I left her alone for two weeks. I offered her what he was feeding her and she refused (I offered a live small rat). I waited a week and offered the same thing again. Then I left a pre killed rat in the tub overnight. No luck. I am thinking about sending the ball back because he guaranteed she would be feeding. What do you think?

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Originally Posted by lesserlover

he guaranteed she would be feeding. What do you think?

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I dont think u can guarantee a bp will eat. If your husbandry is off it would not eat.

Have you tried mice? Not sure what the breeder fed it. But iv read some wont touch rats if its only eaten mice or whatnot.

Whats ur temps, humidity, cage setup, size of cage/tub?

Maybe try somthing alittle bit smaller and let her ease back into things?

Barring issues with husbandry, another option that I just used for my recently purchased fire was to use a live mouse that I let sit in some tuna fish for alittle while before I offered it. She snatched that right up and Ive had her for about a month refusing everything else.

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

I dont think u can guarantee a bp will eat. If your husbandry is off it would not eat.

Have you tried mice? Not sure what the breeder fed it. But iv read some wont touch rats if its only eaten mice or whatnot.

Whats ur temps, humidity, cage setup, size of cage/tub?

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I have not tried mice. My husbandry is on point. I have a lot of balls and they all are on feed. This ball is the only ball in the rack that is not feeding. She is in stike mode 24/7. It seems like she has not settled in. She strikes the prey but she is not attempting to eat the prey. She does not coil.


Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Sariel

Maybe try somthing alittle bit smaller and let her ease back into things?

Barring issues with husbandry, another option that I just used for my recently purchased fire was to use a live mouse that I let sit in some tuna fish for alittle while before I offered it. She snatched that right up and Ive had her for about a month refusing everything else.

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If the ball does not feed the next time offered, I will get creative.

Thanks.

please list everything about your set up.

what type of cage, exact temps, what you're using to measure the temps, etc, ALL THINGS TRIED SO FAR (give that its been 2-3 weeks, you can't have tried everything). You may be stressing the snake more by trying so many different things at once.

If i were in that situation. I'd leave the snake alone for 2 weeks with no contact except to change the water and do any necessary cleaning and then at night, offer the preferred prey item, turn off the lights and walk away. If its a live item i'd leave a small light on and come back and check every 30 mins or so.

I would try a small mouse. From what i hear starting on small seems to work?

Okay... I have this female inside of my Animal Plastics rack with the hot side of her tub being at 92 degrees and the cold side at 81 degrees. I am using a helix controller and I have a tempgun to measure temps. She has a water bowl and a hide inside of her tub. she is on news paper. I have not made contact with her as it is more important for me to get her to feed than to have a nice looking snake to hold.

Thanks for your advice. keep it coming.

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

I would try a small mouse. From what i hear starting on small seems to work?

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She is 800grams. I am not sure a small mouse would do her any good. I know I should not be worried about her loosing any weight but the sooner she feeds the less of a headache I will have.

Have you spoken with the seller about the issue? Was he feeding her in a particular manner? I know I have a female that simply will NOT touch her rat unless she's in a covered tub with lights out. It took a while to figure out that she prefers it this way. I'm working on getting her to start accepting food readily w/o all the extra prep work but for now it's what works for her. You might try offering food in a way that excludes all possible distractions. Have you tried closed paper bag or cardboard box?

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Originally Posted by lesserlover

She is 800grams. I am not sure a small mouse would do her any good. I know I should not be worried about her loosing any weight but the sooner she feeds the less of a headache I will have.

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Think of the smaller feeder animal not as a real meal and more as an appetizer (literally) - something to get her back into the swing of things. You mention that she was taking live small rats from her previous owner. If she has had any incidents with live feeders, a poorly placed strike and resulting bite or scratch for instance, then she may be more reluctant to take another live rat. Taking a step back and offering smaller (less threatening) prey animals can help rebuild confidence and feeding response.