Newbie That just needs some advice about how to progress with a stubborn eater

so the best course of action would be to just another 7 days without bothering him and then try again ? will post pictures soon waiting on a friend to send them over from when i weighed him.

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Originally Posted by skreetboy

so the best course of action would be to just another 7 days without bothering him and then try again ? will post pictures soon waiting on a friend to send them over from when i weighed him.

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Correct. Your little guy will come around eventually, he just needs some time to adjust and destress.

sounds good to me i’ll be sure to post the pictures and keep everyone updated on what’s going on but i’m not gonna mess with him at all and try to offer him a live hopper next Wednesday. i appreciate everyone helping me out and replying it means a lot:).

Also forgot to mention this but I noticed in your initial post that you mentioned removing the hides for one of the feeding attempts. Do not do this. Ball pythons are ambush hunters and prefer to strike from a hiding place, and I know with mine he also tends to drag his meals into a hide to eat in privacy. Your snake is already skittish and nervous enough to not eat, so it's important that he has that security at all times.

No handling the snake until it's settled in & feeding reliably (at least 3+ times for a hatchling- more is better, safer). Weighing a snake IS "handling"...don't do it! The time to weigh was right when you got him home & had to handle anyway. After that, not until he's settled in & feeding, or you can put him off eating at all. Eating is "job #1". Do NOT handle. Same goes for taking pictures- that can wait until your new snake is feeding reliably, not just after one meal.

Many new snakes (of any age) won't eat right away, in the first week or more. They need time, & LOTS of privacy. New homes are very scary for them.

Feed EXACTLY what the snake was eating before you got them- make no changes until they're feeding reliably. If live, then feed live. If mouse, feed mouse. If rat, feed rat, as rodents all smell & (presumably) taste different.

Hatchlings are still learning & need to focus on just being a snake- feeling safe & secure, & learning to deal with prey- NOT with humans. So try to stay out of their way- keep their enclosure in a quiet place, block their "view" if needed. Avoid making adjustments to their home unless essential- the time to do that was before the snake arrived. Make sure the hides are the right size ("snug") so the snake feels safely hidden.

If food is refused, don't keep offering right away- that adds to their stress & almost guarantees a failure. For a thin hatchling, wait at least 4-5 days before a retry; otherwise, wait a week or more before you try to feed again. Feed only at night, in dim light. Try not to be noticeable.

BPs are ambush-predators (as noted above)- they won't likely accept food when out in the "open" moving around in their home. The best time to offer prey is when they're peeking out of their hide in the evening/night hours, because this is their version of "hunting". They have their own predators to worry about too.

Above all be patient- & remember that eating is job #1 for a baby snake. :welcome:

thanks for the great advice both hides fit him well and he uses both. I'm gonna try again next week to feed him a live hopper.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...NR?usp=sharing here's a link to a photo of him.

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Originally Posted by skreetboy

https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...NR?usp=sharing here's a link to a photo of him.

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He's a handsome little guy. :love: And just be patient with him- you'll get there, & have many years to enjoy handling him & getting to know him better. ;)

Thanks so much!! yeah, I got worried after a week and wanted to get his weight, rookie mistake:tears: but I'm leaving him be till next Wednesday then at night ill feed live hopper. should I take out his water bowl or just leave everything the way it is?

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Originally Posted by skreetboy

Thanks so much!! yeah, I got worried after a week and wanted to get his weight, rookie mistake:tears: but I'm leaving him be till next Wednesday then at night ill feed live hopper. should I take out his water bowl or just leave everything the way it is?

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Leave his water bowl. You’ll also have higher success if you feed in a room with little to no light. Also sitting there watching them doesn’t help either lol


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