Hello!

I have recently gotten my first ball python, Noodle who's a red stripe ball python. Besides being my first snake, he is also my first reptile, first herp I bought, and my first captive bred herp. I have multiple frogs also along with a snail and a cat. I've been having trouble feeding him; he gets scared easily and its difficult to get him to let me look at him and feed him without him hiding. Plus he only lunged at a frozen thawed mouse the 2nd time I tried to feed him. But I have a lot of options and I know he'll eat eventually.

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping!!

In order to help you we'll need more information.

Let's start with the snake.
-Is it a juvenile? Adult?

Now tell us about your setup:
-what type and size enclosure are you using?
-how are you heating the enclosure?
-ARE YOUR HEAT SOURCES REGULATED BY A THERMOSTAT??
-how are you measuring temps and humidity?
-do you have hides? water bowl? fake plants?

Now, how about feeding:
-what size prey are you offering?
-how often are you offering?
-how are you heating the prey?
-what time of day are you offering?

And lastly:
-how long have you had the snake?
-are you handling the snake?
-is the snake's enclosure in a high traffic area in the house?


I know it's a lot, but the more we know the more we can help you out.

Welcome to the forum!

What is your setup for him like? When young BPs refuse food it's usually husbandry related. And what did the breeder you got him from feed him before you got him? Don't move to feed and refrain from handling him until he takes a couple meals with you.