Fussy ball python

My son got a baby ball python just before Christmas. Tried feeding a frozen thawed rat pup at first with no luck. After 4 or 5 week we decided to try a live mouse. He ate that perfect. Tried frozen thawed mice for another couple weeks no luck! Got another live mouse. This time fed him off the tongs. Ate it fight away. Tried another couple weeks frozen thawed with no luck. Brought another live mouse home yesterday set the mouse in the box on top of the terrarium. The snake instantly went into hunt mode. I killed the mouse tried to feed him and no luck! This getting frustrating! We live two hours from any pet stores that have live mice! What should I try next?

The hairdryer trick ...


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Originally Posted by Jenniges

My son got a baby ball python just before Christmas. Tried feeding a frozen thawed rat pup at first with no luck. After 4 or 5 week we decided to try a live mouse. He ate that perfect. Tried frozen thawed mice for another couple weeks no luck! Got another live mouse. This time fed him off the tongs. Ate it fight away. Tried another couple weeks frozen thawed with no luck. Brought another live mouse home yesterday set the mouse in the box on top of the terrarium. The snake instantly went into hunt mode. I killed the mouse tried to feed him and no luck! This getting frustrating! We live two hours from any pet stores that have live mice! What should I try next?

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welcome to the forum! [emoji3]

how old is the snake and how much do they weigh? what was the snake eating before you brought it home? you say you tried a a f/t rat, then a live mouse; why did you try different prey items? also, how were you preparing the f/t feeders?

answering these questions will help us understand your situation to better help you and your lil buddy out. [emoji4]

Plus post full details of your set up and photo/s


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Not sure how old!

Snake weighs 134.6 grams

Don't know what he was eating prior....A pet store person got the snake for me. I was following his advise. He has multiple snakes himself. Started with rat pups because he said it would be way easier when the snake gets older. I changed to mice because live rat pups aren't available here.

I thawed the Frozen in warm water next to the terrarium. Then dried with a towel.

I'll try and post some pics

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jenniges

Not sure how old!

Snake weighs 134.6 grams

Don't know what he was eating prior....A pet store person got the snake for me. I was following his advise. He has multiple snakes himself. Started with rat pups because he said it would be way easier when the snake gets older. I changed to mice because live rat pups aren't available here.

I thawed the Frozen in warm water next to the terrarium. Then dried with a towel.

I'll try and post some pics

Thanks

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...74a8798437.jpg

a rat pup is a bit big right now. you can try a f/t mouse instead.

how long did you allow the feeder to thaw for? did you use the hairdryer method?

Thawed until it was soft and not cold. Then I would leave next to the heat lamp for a few minutes. He wouldn't eat a fresh killed either. Live is no problem eats them!

I have not tried a rat pup in a while only mice

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...74a8798437.jpg

a rat pup is a bit big right now. you can try a f/t mouse instead.

how long did you allow the feeder to thaw for? did you use the hairdryer method?

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I weighed the rat i have it weighs 14 grams.....must be considered a fuzzy?

Does the blow dryer method add something different besides extra heat?

or does it work the same as say holding it by the heat lamp for a few before offering ? Is it just to get the temp up.

Or is a heat lamp too hot and makes it worse where a blow drier is not as hot ?