So frustrated with hatchlings that won't eat!

I am at the point of total frustration with some of my bp's hatchlings. They hatched mid-July and shed end of July and they still won't eat. I have assist fed the non-eaters one fuzzy, one time since it's now the end of September and they're starting to look skinny, but I've only been able to do it once. They fight me SO BAD that after a while trying, I just give up because I don't want to hurt them and I feel like I'm traumatizing them to hate food and people for life. What do you guys do at this point? Keep offering once a week? Keep attempting to assist feed once a week? I have not yet tried live because the only pet store in my area with live mice only has them sporadically and one litter at a time so they are hard to get a hold of.

Get live mice by any means necessary! I feed all my snakes frozen /thawed, however I would start hatchlings off with small live rodents, to make sure they eat!

Ball python hatchlings typically start on live. Other species will readily take f/t as their first meals but not ball pythons. If you can't find a reliable source for live hopper mice don't breed them any more.

If you're having problems assist feeding I would suggest trying the technique in this video; I've used it with great success and it's fairly easy to do. Basically you start with the hind leg bone or leg quarter from a larger f/t feeder to get the snake started eating. I usually chain feed a whole prey item right after it as the snake swallows the leg. It's much easier than trying to push a pinky or fuzzy mouse down your snake's throat if you start with a hind leg first, as the long bones can go back far enough that your snake can't spit it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HT2npbERKY

As much as I favor feeding f/t, most snakes just do better when started on their natural live diet...their instincts need to "kick in"....ball pythons especially.

Tila, it's a long shot, but you might try calling any local vets that treat exotics/herps...some on staff might be keeping herps & breeding rodents, or know of
someone who does. It never hurts to ask...the worst they can say is that "sorry, they don't know of anyone". Same thing if there's any Herpetological clubs
around you. And try putting in a free "wanted" ad in local papers. Too bad you're so far away from me, I'd be happy to help.

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I have not yet tried live

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Well here is your problem right there.

DO this to a T and they will eat on their own https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

When getting a snake/breeding snakes having a source of live feeder is something to think about even if you have to start breeding your own.

The animals are not the problem here. failure to provide proper prey is and you don't assist or force feed an animal unless you have exhausted all other options which you have not, by assisting you are not doing them any service.

In the UK it is illegal to sell an un-weaned mammal so we typically either have to breed our own live feeders for hatchlings or persist with assist feeding. :oops:

The process of assist feeding long term is slightly complicated in that I have never seen them get as much growth from it compared to stress free voluntary feeding. :(

Every time we assist we try and reduce the amount of the prey item we have to insert to (hopefully ) get them acclimated to the process of swallowing and, eventually, striking.

If live is possible where you are it would definitely be my fist choice.


dr del