Need some good advice

Ok so here is the situation, I rescued a ball a couple weeks ago. He is a fantastic snake, easy handler. I was informed he had not eaten in about 4 weeks and weighed 596 grams. I weighed him when we got home and he was 542 grams. I know not much difference just using it as a reference. It has been 2 weeks and he has still not eaten although he has struck at FT and coiled and has struck at and killed live. He just refuses to eat. I was told some rescues will starve themselves to death and am getting worried. I have been considering force feeding but am reluctant to do it right now because I am not sure if it is to soon.

I do know that sometimes balls just go on an eating hiatus. I hope thats all it is. Hopefully someone will come along with better info for you. What was he eating at his previous owners? When was the last time he ate? How often are you offering him food?

Can you tell us more about his enclosure? that can have a lot to do with why they might not be eating.

What kind of rodent are you using and what size?

Pics are a plus :)

He was eating live hopper mice one every 2 weeks, way to little for his size, but like I said he was a rescue. He now has heat humidity substrate and water as well as a stable environment. I tried him on a live adult mouse and I tried him on a FT rat pup. He struck at both and coiled them both but would only snuggle up with them afterwards. I have tried him once a week same feeding day as the rest of my collection and leave him with the food overnight in case he is just a shy eater.

I personally don't believe in force feeding as it only further stresses the snake making a successful feeding less likely in the future. Assist feeding is a better option, but at only 2 weeks without food I don't think that it is time to consider anything that drastic. For now make sure that your husbandry is spot on, leave the snake alone, and only offer food every 7 days.

He is in a rack with belly heat.

I had the same problem with one of my girls, she refused to eat.
I tried rats, and mice. I tried heat and a small dark space...

Then I tried Gerbils, She is eating great now, and I find she only eats at night too.

A high stress level from neglect and husbandry changes can also cause this. It may take a few weeks till your new BP levels out and settles down. I agree with THESERPENTMERCHANT<--- Smart Cookie


Also, Sometimes they're shy eaters. My Shiva WILL NOT eat unless i leave the room. She's just shy like that... Like a fat kid nomming down cake in a corner yelling" Don't look at me!" lol

Hope i could be helpful in some way

What size tub? Maybe consider moving to a 15qt for a little while until he starts eating better. Also make sure he has at least one hide.

It sounds to me like he is hungry, but maybe too insecure to actually eat what he has killed. Next time you feed (one week) leave the lights off and put the rodent in with the snake and leave it there til morning. If it isn't eaten overnight then throw it out. Obviously if you are doing live you should monitor the feeding. If he doesn't kill it within 10-15 minutes then remove it and try again next week.

it sounds like its only been of feed for 1.5 months which isnt that long. i would offer a live smaller adult mouse once a week. i wouldnt try force feeding at this point as its very stressfull for the snake and unlees he is loseing alot of weight its not worth it yet.