Baby Ball Python Losing weight Quick and still off feed

I Purchased 2 Normal Ball Pythons a little over a month ago, Male and female. During about the first week my Male escaped and was found 4 weeks Later.Since than he has lost lots of weight and looks super skinny. I thought that he would be eating like a beast after all this. I gave him about 3 Days to Settle and relax and i then Offered him a Live Mouse he refused and seemed almost afraid of it. I then left a F/T Mouse in his Enclosure over night and still nothing. He shows no Interest. How long should i wait till i offer him food again? I Know ball pythons are known for going off feed at times but i have never heard of babys going off feed. Assist Feeding?? Should i ever try it down the road if he still does not eat? I know this can cause stress and i can't imagine how stressed he already is after being escaped for so Long. The Temps in their tubs are all good. My Female is Thriving and eating everything i offer her and shes almost Double his size now.

Thanks Guys/Ladies and please let me know what steps i should take from here

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Theartisticgemini

I Purchased 2 Normal Ball Pythons a little over a month ago, Male and female. During about the first week my Male escaped and was found 4 weeks Later.Since than he has lost lots of weight and looks super skinny. I thought that he would be eating like a beast after all this. I gave him about 3 Days to Settle and relax and i then Offered him a Live Mouse he refused and seemed almost afraid of it. I then left a F/T Mouse in his Enclosure over night and still nothing. He shows no Interest. How long should i wait till i offer him food again? I Know ball pythons are known for going off feed at times but i have never heard of babys going off feed. Assist Feeding?? Should i ever try it down the road if he still does not eat? I know this can cause stress and i can't imagine how stressed he already is after being escaped for so Long. The Temps in their tubs are all good. My Female is Thriving and eating everything i offer her and shes almost Double his size now.

Thanks Guys/Ladies and please let me know what steps i should take from here

---

Can you describe the husbandry and set up? What size prey are you offering?
How large is he? Can you post a picture of his body condition?
I would give him a week to settle down again. I know that sounds bad, but to him, the tub is a new place all over again.
He he keeps refusing, I would definitely assist feed.

Basic Setup with A Hide and water Bowl Aspen Bedding . Im Offering Adult Mice. And i will post up some Pics in a few.

Maybe move to a smaller tub? Maybe an extra hide? Fill the tub with crumpled newspaper?

:/ What was his weight before he escaped and then when you found him 4 weeks later?

How big is his enclosure? Is it a tub, or an aquarium? I second the suggestion of leaving him completely alone for a week, and offering him food again at that point. How big is he? I'd probably offer a live hopper, at night, in a week, turn of the lights and leave the room for a bit to give him the best shot at eating.

Is he a baby, sub adult, adult? Adults can lose some weight and still be ok, babies not so much.

I am guessing he is a hatchling, from the title.

Yes Guys hes a Hatchling. And hes in a Tub not a rack. Not sure how much Grams he was Before his escape or after we found him.

Then I would say leave him completely alone and offer him a live hopper in a week. He is probably just stressed, but I would give him one more chance to eat before assist feeding. You might want to get a scale and start weighing your snakes periodically. It can be hard to know when to be concerned about weight loss if you don't.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Theartisticgemini

Yes Guys hes a Hatchling. And hes in a Tub not a rack. Not sure how much Grams he was Before his escape or after we found him.

---

Start tracking his weight. If he is loosing weight fast and still refuses to eat, you might need to see a vet.

Clutter up his tub. You can use fake plants or crumpled paper. Anything to give him cover and make him feel safe. 4 weeks out there in the world could have been a little traumatic for him!