ball python baby wont eat

now i'm not too concerned, i know they are famous for fasting and not eating under pressure, i'm just looking for future tips.
my bp is a few months old but i just purchased him from a breeder one week ago, i'm supposed to feed him on sundays (today) and he either gets 2 pinkies and a hopper or 2 hoppers. i bought 2 hoppers today. he was raised on f/t so that's what i tried. when i went to feed him i spent an hour dangling that mouse in front of him just for him to cower next to it. he did strike once, but it looked more like he was trying to strike my hand rather than the mouse itself. needless to say i gave up and discarded the rodents. wont try again for another few days but can i get some tips for better feeding?

also, at one point i just lied the mouse next to him to see if he would eat it without my assistance.

If they were f/t try live next time

A week is not unusual for a new ball python not to eat. It may still be getting used to its surroundings. Some questions - How big of an enclosure do you have him in? A small ball python can get stressed if the enclosure is too big. Also, what are your temps and how are you heating, and what are you using to measure temps? Lastly, if you are not already, try warming up the rodent in hot tap water before presenting it.

I wonder if it has ever been really proven that BP's stress in large enclosures? I agree with warming it up a bit, but I use a blow dryer instead of water. Just a personal preference I guess, instead of water...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BiggBaddWolf

I wonder if it has ever been really proven that BP's stress in large enclosures?

---

I'm not sure about stress being proven specifically, but many do have a tendency to go off feed when they are moved to larger enclosures and go right back to feeding when moved back to the smaller enclosure. I'd correlate a feeding ball python to a less stressed ball python sooner than I'd correlate a non-feeding ball python to a less stressed ball python.

If you tried dangling a mouse in front of him for an hour that was way too long. That will just stress him out. Let him settle in without messing with him or his cage and make sure your temps are ok. Offer and if he doesn't eat try again in a week.

If he is a few months old and well established, he can not eat for a while and be ok

he's in a 10 gal and his temps and humidity are fine. checked twice a day. I'm going back to the breeder today to get some tips from him since he's the one who's been feeding him. thank you for all of the advice though. I really wasn't worried about him not eating. I just knew that an hour was too long and wanted some more experienced advice. thank you all!

When I feed, I just take the snake put them in a small "tank/container". Drop in a appropriate sized feeder. Close/secure container, place in dark closet. Come back 15-20 minutes later. And presto, no more feeder. I agree that you probably stressed him out, give him a couple days. And give this a try. :)