My ball python won't eat! Help please!

So I recently got a Pastel ball python hatchling on Thursday at around 9:30am which is about 5 days ago. On the first time I got him, I held him a little before transferring him to his tank and he peed on me then pooped. After that I left him alone I tried feeding him and he wouldn't eat. So I left him alone but today I handled him and I understand all pythons get stressed but he doesn't show any stress AT ALL. He's incredibly relaxed and he's never balled up. Very dormant in the day then gets active in the evening. He doesn't seem stressed at all so I tried feeding him and he wouldn't eat either. He pooped on Thursday so I'm sure I can wait a week but he is so relaxed and acclimated that I don't understand why he won't eat. I'm really paranoid over him so I'm absolutely terrified over this

How much does he weigh?
How big is his tank?
What are you trying to feed him?
What was he eating before you got him?

There's lots of reasons a BP won't eat. It's typically recommended you let them sit in their enclosure for a week with no handling before trying to feed him. Just because it looks calm doesn't mean it is. It's a small snake in a new place - it's definitely scared.


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I haven't weighed him yet but he's in a 20 gallon tank, I'm trying to feed him medium mice the same as the breeder feeds. His temperature is 88 in his warmest side and 66 on the cool side with hides and everything. He was eating before and the breeder was planning on switching him to large mice

An hatching that does not eat is a sign of stress, stop all handling and do this to a T https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

Your husbandry is also part of the problem.

Are the mice live or frozen/thawed?



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He's not a hatchling entirely. The breeder says he is but he's got about a few months to him and a good length. As for Aspen bedding I have eco earth coco bedding, I'm not sure if it will have the same effect

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Originally Posted by BPGator

Are the mice live or frozen/thawed?



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Theyre frozen/thawed

66 is WAY too cold and potentially dangerous for a cool side temp. You generally don't want it any lower than 75 but 78-80 is ideal.

You should take some time and read all of the DIY and Care sheets here.

20 gallon is a large space for a couple of month old snake. You should have 2 of the Reptile Basics hides, 1 on each side and then the temps should 80 on one side and 90 on the other.

That's just the starting point. Do not attempt to feed for a few days and leave it alone.

You should leave him alone for a week and do some more research. Be sure you get the cool side to 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit and the hot spot to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Let him get use to his surroundings. And after that week try feeding him be sure not to handle him. Especially before feeding him. They need time. And after feeding wait at least 24 hours for handling.


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Thankyou, I got his coolsidd to 80 degrees and I'm leaving him alone. It wouldn't be harmful to him that he didn't eat would it.