ball python striking, but not taking food

Hey guys,

I have a new albino ball python. She is striking at the mice I'm offering, but just releasing instead of constricting and eating it. I've tried both live and fresh killed, she is very interested and strikes over and over, but just wont take it. She is about 8 months and 200 grams.

Thanks for your help!

-Tommy

Has she actually hit the mouse or is she missing everytime she strikes?

How long have you had her ? How do you house her ? How long after getting her did you offer food ?

To me it sounds more like a stressed out snake. It sounds like "defensive" striking, not the hungry kind...

Also, 200 gr. seems kind of small for 8 month ? But perhaps mine are just little piggies.

Please give us a lot more info !! Esp. the time frames, housing, temps, etc ! Also , how long after getting her did you handle her? Are you handling her now or since getting her ?

Most important thing to the snake now is to feel SAFE. Meaning NO handling until she is an accomplished eater. Meaning safe housing, hides, proper temps, etc.

I've only had her for about 5 days. All the others ate fine so thats why I am a bit worried. I have her in a 6 qt sterilite bin, but I'm feeding in a larger one. She is connecting when she bites and seems interested in the food, just not going for it. Also, she only seems interested when I dangle it from the tongs.

Have you given her time to settle in to her new home?
I would recommend feeding her in her tub other than a separate one.

She seems the least stressed out of the others I ordered. I did feed them in their own tubs, I will try the same for her too. I'm probably just a little paranoid.

Wait off for feeding til the next scheduled feeding for her. She sounds a little too stressed out

I will do that. Thank you for your wisdom!

I agree with the other posters, if she is striking and not clamping/constricting, could simply be that the food item is scaring her in her stressed condition. Put your hand in, get the same response? She's stressed :P.

Cheers!
fatal

That happened to me yesterday. :(

I am just going to make sure she isn't stressed and try something younger and slower moving like a rat weanling.

Also if your feeding mice, I assume at 200g it's at least a medium it maybe be too "fast". Mine did this for a while. Try a rat pup they are much slower and generally don't stress out the snake as much. I would also say wait off till next feeding. She'll be ok.

Yeah, she did take a shot at me too. I'll give her another week. I'm so glad there is such a great ball python community! I'm really grateful for all the helpful responses I've recieved from everyone!

I let her chill for a week, and she ate champ today! It is funny how different their personalities are. My bumblebee was kinda snappy, but has the most insane feeding response I've ever seen, my albino on the other hand is very slow and cautious. Thanks for the advice guys!