Feeding problems

Try feeding a prekilled rat real late at night when they're awake.

Like right before you go to bed or even a little later.

Your setup sounds fine.

Where did you get the animal?

Sometimes sick or unhealthy animals won't eat, especially in real bad cases.

I got him from Ben siegels reptiles prolly 2 months ago, i dont think hes sick or anything, if its a live meal he eats it in a matter of seconds. ill be sure to try the pre-killed, thanks for all your help man

No problem.

Sometimes all it takes is a little time and a little patience.

Get him to eat the pre-killed

Then switch over to F/T.

It really helps if you offer pre-killed and F/T off of tongs, shaking the rat around to entice a strike.

I had a similar situation, and this is how I solved it. First make sure the enclosure is warm enough and has high humidity. Offer the food only at night. Your python senses the heat of the prey animal, so try wrapping the thawed rodent in a paper towel and then microwave it for several seconds. It should not be hot, just warm. Experiment a few seconds at a time— you don't want the rat exploding on you! This heating method worked better for me than a blow dryer, but there is a bit of a learning curve— that's why wrapping in a paper towel or something similar is essential. If the snake doesn't strike at the offered food immediately just leave it for a while. Make sure the room is quiet and the lights are lowered. The food will usually be gone before it has time to cool.

Any update? :)

I have read that one should not use the microwave for any part of rodent thawing or warming. Part of the trouble is that the innerds can get too hot. And as suggested, they can explode... then its not a usable meal. I don't do it, similar to using hot water... too easy to overcook. Overcook = stinky kitchen and a rodent that a snake won't eat.

I do it similarly to 2kdime. I leave my rodents to thaw in ziploc bags in the fridge in the evening and the next evening/afternoon pull 'em out. I let them get to room temp for an hour or so. Then I blow dry the head/chest of the rodent so that it is warm to the touch, dangle with tongs, and if no strike, just drop it in the container and cover with a dark towel. Best to feed the animal in a small-ish container.

I'm stoked to say that my otherwise f/t-reluctant [ball] python hatchlings were easily switched over to f/t this way. Made me very happy. Each snake will have different results. ;) Good luck!

Also note, reptiles can't digest any part of that rat that might have gotten cooked in the microwave.

Just lay em out all day and feed when you get home from work.

Leave the microwave for the hot pockets