Feeding Problem?

Hi everyone,

I am currently trying to feed my python.
The mouse is in his tank on top of a rock currently.
My python has lashed out at him twice but did not get him.
Now he gets close to him like he will, but then moves away.
Or sometimes the mice will move and he will jump back like he is scared.
I don't know what to do.
I really would like for him to eat because he hasn't for weeks.

Any advice? Theories?
Please help...

Thank you,
~ Lady

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Originally Posted by Lady

Hi everyone,

I am currently trying to feed my python.
The mouse is in his tank on top of a rock currently.
My python has lashed out at him twice but did not get him.
Now he gets close to him like he will, but then moves away.
Or sometimes the mice will move and he will jump back like he is scared.
I don't know what to do.
I really would like for him to eat because he hasn't for weeks.

Any advice? Theories?
Please help...

Thank you,
~ Lady

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Does he normally eat live mice? How big is he and how big is the mouse? And how long has the mouse been in with him? Sounds like he's interested since he's striking. Do you have something to keep the mouse in, in case he doesn't eat? If so, maybe keep him and try again tomorrow night?

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Originally Posted by sho220

Does he normally eat live mice? How big is he and how big is the mouse? And how long has the mouse been in with him? Sounds like he's interested since he's striking. Do you have something to keep the mouse in, in case he doesn't eat? If so, maybe keep him and try again tomorrow night?

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I would say it's been at least 20 minutes.
I recent got him so this is his first design attempt with me.
I don't know what he has eaten before.
He's about a foot and a half and the mouse is about 3 or 4 inches long.
I do have something to keep the mouse in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lady

I would say it's been at least 20 minutes.
I recent got him so this is his first design attempt with me.
I don't know what he has eaten before.
He's about a foot and a half and the mouse is about 3 or 4 inches long.
I do have something to keep the mouse in.

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Can you contact the breeder and ask what he was feeding on?

Is there a way to contact who you got him from? I would ask. Be careful not to let the mouse get the snake I had one die at the hands of his food. Sometimes what helps is making the mouse bleed a little.

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Originally Posted by sin2001

Is there a way to contact who you got him from? I would ask. Be careful not to let the mouse get the snake I had one die at the hands of his food. Sometimes what helps is making the mouse bleed a little.

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Say what???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sin2001

Is there a way to contact who you got him from? I would ask. Be careful not to let the mouse get the snake I had one die at the hands of his food. Sometimes what helps is making the mouse bleed a little.

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I can't believe I have to say this - Do NOT injure a live mouse to make it "bleed a little". An injured/frightened rodent is much more dangerous to your snake.

Striking and "missing" usually indicates that the BP is being defensive, not trying to eat. Can you upload a pic or describe your setup (tank size, hides, temps, etc.)? How long have you had him and how often are you offering food?

Edit: I see you've only had him since the 8th, so disregard that particular question, and welcome to the site. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sho220

Can you contact the breeder and ask what he was feeding on?

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I got him from a girl that goes to my school.
She also got him from a friend so I would have to add that to the list of questions she has to ask him.
She gave me mice with him so I assumed she would know.
Then again she didn't seem to know much about him really which is a pain for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sin2001

Is there a way to contact who you got him from? I would ask. Be careful not to let the mouse get the snake I had one die at the hands of his food. Sometimes what helps is making the mouse bleed a little.

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It's making the mouse bleed a little cruel?
I mean it sounds like an interesting way, but still, I'm not about to do that.
Plus, I still need to get the hang or grabbing onto mice let alone gripping to be able to make them bleed... a little

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

I can't believe I have to say this - Do NOT injure a live mouse to make it "bleed a little". An injured/frightened rodent is much more dangerous to your snake.

Striking and "missing" usually indicates that the BP is being defensive, not trying to eat. Can you upload a pic or describe your setup (tank size, hides, temps, etc.)? How long have you had him and how often are you offering food?

Edit: I see you've only had him since the 8th, so disregard that particular question, and welcome to the site. :)

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Thank you for the welcoming! :)
Yeah this is my first time trying to feed him.
I don't know about being defensive because the mouse wasn't even doing anything to him when he lashed out at him.
And like I said if the mouse did move he seemed to jerk back as if he were afraid of it.
When you say "missing" are you indicating that it is unusual that a python would miss on striking at it's prey?

P.S. I will upload a picture of his set up soon. A lot of people have been asking me that question haha