New ball python owner

I purchased my first ball python about 3 weeks ago from Petco. They said that it was a baby ball but I spoke with the reptile associate and she said he is probably close to a year. They were feeding it f/t hopper mice every week. Now I've had it for almost 3 weeks and I can't get it to eat. The temp throughout the enclosure is high 70s with a hallowed out log that he sits on top of and the temperature on top of that is high 80s. The humidity is between 50 and 60 all day. I not handle him for at least 24 hours before I feed him. I have tried to feed him at night and in complete darkness and it didn't work. I don't have a scale at home so that I can take his weight so I don't know if he has lost any weight but I'm worried. Can someone give me any pointers?

Give this a read

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-Hatchling-101

Okay I will give this a try! I tried to give him the exact same set up he had at the pet store but I have been handling him quite a bit except for on days I plan to feed him. So I'll try leaving him alone for a week and seeing if that helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ashleibby613

I tried to give him the exact same set up he had at the pet store

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How are you regulating your under tank heater? I assume you are using one from this statement in your post...

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psp2koldrd.jpg

I don't have an under tank heater. He had an overhead light heat source at the pet store. Should the tank have an under tank heater?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ashleibby613

I don't have an under tank heater. He had an overhead light heat source at the pet store. Should the tank have an under tank heater?

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You don't need a UTH but Petcos reptiles racks do have them and use them.
You shouldn't handle it at all until you get it feeding regular.

Oh okay the lady told me it was overhead thats why I went with overhead. Would it be better to have uth? Also I've been looking around online for tips and I've tried almost everything; most places state that you should try live rodents after a certain time. Would you suggest getting a live rodent?

Most chain pet store employees are for the lack of a better term, ignorant........
If you want to feed f/t then keep with that BUT you need a scale to monitor weight.
I personally only feed live and when I sell my snakes I let the buyer know that even though I also sell f/t I DO NOT feed f/t.
I you do decide to feed live you are probably going to start with a live hopper mouse. :gj:

Okay thank you so much! I'll try leaving him alone for a week then feeding him again to see if that helps.