ballpython didnt eat for 2 monts...

So i played around with the thermostat a bit. The bottom of the tank (I measure it with my new temp gun from the side between tank and UTH) shows 86 now. the in tank air temp is 83. We will buy the mouse tomorrow (hopefully we'll find a store that sells them right away) and try feeding him after sundown.
Thank you for all your help!

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Okay new update...
We tried to feed him a live hopper yesterday. He striked once but (we think of insufficient space in the spot at the bix where he striked) the mouse got away. After that he tried striking a couple of more times but he never got him again. The mouse had a head wound though. We took it out and ended it's suffering. Pep was kind of defensive after that and curled up tightly in his hide. The temp is pretty good now we have 84 directly in the box and 86 between box and uth. No more drops during the night thankfully either :) Sooo much easier with thermostat and temp gun!
Should we try to give him a hopper again next week or would it be better trying something smaller like a live fuzzy? I know that wouldn't be sufficient food but our thought was that small food is better then nothing... We now also have a towel on his box permanently so he doesn't get bothered by us.

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I'd almost try a fresh killed. Sounds like he's hungry. That or a small feed tub just to help get him going.

Hello overyone,
Our snake just died last night. :(
We tried feeding live twice over the last 2 weeks. Shortly after the second time we found him with his front side up side down and his he was not moving his lower side at all. He didn't look super thin or anything at all. He must have had some kind of sickness. He had mites when we got him, he was star gazing a lot from the beginning on. Also he striked the first live mouse but missed several times. Not sure if that was just defensive or part of the sickness. We wanted to bring him to a reptile specialist to do assistant feeding today but he didn't make it :(
Thank you very much for all your help!

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Sorry to hear that sad news :(

I think that you should get another snake asap but from someone on thus forum or at least a recommended breeder ....certainly not a pet store ....

i agree with zinc: reputable breeders are highly recommended here, and come with WAY less issues and stress regarding the animal.

i'm so sorry for the outcome, but hope you've come out of this more knowledgeable than before. keep your chin up knowing you did your best for your baby. (:

ifWill,

should you choose to get another snake:

1. Buy from a reputable breeder. Visit the classifieds on this site.
2. Since you appear to be disinclined to feed live, buy one that’s already on f/t. Snakes hatched out in 2016 are well established now and you should be able to find one that has made the switch. Again, dealing with a reputable dealer is important, un-reputable dealers (and big box stores) will tell you what you want to hear with total disregard for the truth.
3. Should you acquire another very young snake, follow the advice in the link previously provided on hatchling 101.
4. Get the enclosure set up in advance of purchasing the snake. Get the temps and humidity dialed in before purchasing the snake.
5. leave the snake alone for a week or so before attempting to feed.