Feeding Problems

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We put the snake in a paper bag with the mouse over night because they said that he would eat it.

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It isn't a good idea to leave live prey w/a snake unattended. The snake can get injured should the prey decide to bite or scratch. Even if you are supervising your snake w/live prey an accident can happen in an instant. That's why I prefer and suggest either p/k (pre-killed) or f/t (frozen/thawed) food.
Keep us posted on how it goes, I'm sure he'll eat for you soon. Just be patient and try not to worry too much (I know it's hard, I'm always worried about Sophie!). :smile:

You need 2 hides it sounds like you have only one. One hide on the warm side and one hide on the cool side. Make sure the hides are sized appropriately. A hide should be just big enough for the snake to fit in and completely dark letting in very little light. I have a little baby ball python and he loves those little cereal boxes the kind you get in 8 pack variety pack.

Now for the feeding the pet store said to put it in a paper bag over night. LOL. Sadly enough i can believe it.

Here is what I do. Get a small cardboard box like a shoe box one that is completely dark. Put the snake in there for about 10 minutes be sure to secure the lid with something heavy. After 10 minutes put a mouse in there that is KNOCKED OUT as in NOT ALIVE this is very important. Leave the FRESH DEAD mouse in with the snake for about 30 minutes. Chances are you will not find the mouse in there. If this doesnt work. Keep trying and be sure to put enough hides. They will not eat if they do not have a suitable place to digest thier food.

I took it to the pet store again and they said that he is healthy, but just not eating. I will try again when they get some more mice. I will also get some new hides for them.

I know it's hard to wrap our heads around, but snakes can go weeks and weeks without eating if they have to, even young ones. If I were in your shoes, what I would do is focus on getting the set-up just right first...and then worry about feeding them. Get the temperature gradient set up like Marla talked about, and good hides on both ends of the tank. If you must have two snakes in the same enclosure, make sure there is plenty of room for both of them at either end.

Once you're sure the set-up is correct and you don't have to mess with it anymore except to provide fresh water...then leave them completely alone for at least a week, preferably two. (Just make sure they always have fresh water.) Eating makes a snake very vulnerable, and they won't do it if they don't feel safe. Leaving them completely alone gives them a chance to get used to their new home and begin to realize they are safe there.

After they've had this chance to acclimate, then you can try feeding them, following the advice already given here. I would advice against listening to the folks that work at the petstore. More often than not, they don't know what they're talking about, but can sound like they do. (A dangerous combination.)

While you're getting the set-up correct, and giving the snakes time to acclimate, you can lay in a supply of frozen rodents. They can be ordered at any number of places online. Pet stores often carry them as well. Or you can look for a reptile expo/show in your area. Anything within a couple hours of where you live would be worth the trip because you get to enjoy a great day of looking at awesome animals up-close and personal, as well as buy a supply of frozen rodents that meet your needs without paying for shipping.

Finally...(Sorry for going on so long!)...when you do try feeding them....do NOT try to feed them more often than once a week. If they refuse a meal, wait a full week before trying again. Any more often than that is counter-productive because it stresses the snakes out and makes them not want to eat even more.