Question about feeding

Hey all. My ball python is about 3 months old. He seems healthy; has shed twice already. The reptile breeder/store I bought him from feeds all their snakes live mice, but after 2 weeks of feeding him live, I switched to f/t. He switched no problem, but about a month ago it suddenly became really difficult to feed him. He tends to stare at the mouse, lay on it, or just circle the tank instead of eating it. I'll usually get tired of it half an hour in and I'll grab some tongs and dangle it. That worked the first time, but this week and last he just stared at it. Dangling didn't help at all so I just put it back in the freezer. I've tried to read a bit into off-feeding to see if that may be happening but I still find the topic confusing. Do baby snakes do that? Is there anything I can do to make the mouse more appealing to him, or am I just stressing over nothing? It is probably a coincidence, but I've only had a problem feeding him this new brand of mice. Thanks.

How are you heating up his mice? It's possible that it's not warm enough for him to think it's food.

Also, have you read this thread: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!? It will help you ensure your own husbandry isn't contributing to his disinterest in eating.

Baby ball pythons are typically good eaters when they're in an environment they're comfortable in.

I microwave a large cup of water for about a minute and submerge a ziplock bag with the mouse inside. I wait a while for it to completely thaw, but it's definitely not hot when I put the mouse in the cage. Thanks for that link. I started him out in a tub that the store put together for me, and moved him into a glass tank recently. He has eaten mice in that tank but I was told a heat lamp wasn't necessary with a UTH.

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Originally Posted by Aurora

I microwave a large cup of water for about a minute and submerge a ziplock bag with the mouse inside. I wait a while for it to completely thaw, but it's definitely not hot when I put the mouse in the cage.

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The hot water/baggie method works well when used appropriately. I'd also add that once thawed, heating up the head of the mouse with a hair dryer can help put them in feed mode and gives him a target to strike at when you're "zombie dancing" for him.

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Originally Posted by Aurora

Thanks for that link. I started him out in a tub that the store put together for me, and moved him into a glass tank recently. He has eaten mice in that tank but I was told a heat lamp wasn't necessary with a UTH.

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You're welcome! A heat lamp may not be necessary - it just depends on the ambient temperature of your room. If it stays at 78+, you don't need the lamp.

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Originally Posted by Aurora

Hey all. My ball python is about 3 months old.

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Hey :) can I just ask you how much he weighs ? Just to compare with mine :P
And also, what's the size of the rodents you give him?

I haven't actually weighed mine yet, though I planned to pick up a scale tomorrow. I'll let you know. I'm giving him hoppers generally, but they snuck in a smaller fuzzy in the most recent bag. Update: He just ate! He's just kinda picky sometimes I guess; the mouse was warmer than usual this time so that may have helped as well.