Any ideas why snake won't eat?

So it's been about 4 weeks and the snake won't eat, I've tried feeding him inside his cage as well as outside his cage and he will smell it, but then hides his head. I have left it in there as well up to 4 hours and nothing. I also do it at night, and nothing, so what do you think?
I know for a couple of weeks we were dealing with mites, but he has been mite free for a couple or more weeks now. Is he sick? He looks healthy. He had a great shed last week, nothing left on him, even the eye caps even came off.

Aw, because he's a ball python. And they like to stress out new owners in particular.

How old is he? Do you happen to know his weight? (If not you might want to invest in a digital kitchen scale that can do metric units (grams) and weights from 100-3000 grams.)

My rule of thumb is, I won't freak out unless they lose 30% of their starting body weight. ESPECIALLY if the snake is a male between 400 and 800 grams. All of my juvies have hit a fast at that weight, and some of the males kept it up for several months.

I had a girl eat on Saturday for the first time in over 6 months, thats just what they do.

Triple check all your husbandry, and triple check for mites. If there are no issues on either then it's just a ball python being picky.

Wow, well that's alot of wasted mice every week. Are there other ball pythons that always eat when offered?

What type of substrate are you using?

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Originally Posted by ocean girl

Wow, well that's alot of wasted mice every week. Are there other ball pythons that always eat when offered?

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Other ball pythons? I think it's very rare for every ball python to eat every single time it's offered, it's just part of the species. I only have one our of five that has never refused....

You can refreeze one more time after thawing once...I do and haven't had any issues.

The snake just got over mites, its not a surprise their not eating

Fortunately, I have a hungry bp. I have had him since the end of April and he eats every 6-7 days on the dot. (knock on wood) I feed at night in the comforts of his cage. He prefers to hunt while he is in his hide. The mouse never lasts more than a few minutes when it's dangled outside of his hide. Otherwise, he is a little hesitant with the mouse. Maybe try that? So he feels super secure when he hunts.

I'm just using plain paper for substrate.

Well, always offer the snakes that you have more confidence in eating and accepting the meal last. I offer my picky ones first, if they dont eat I'll just use the same mouse and offer the other guys. Does take time since I give them 15minutes alone with the mouse. I don't waste many.

do you have 2 hides, do you have a warm side and a cold side? What are the temperatures on each side and what is humidity level? I just went through a snake that was on hunger strike for about 6 months, and when I changed out her bedding to a blend of "forest floor" and reptile moss soaked in water, she ate almost immediately and has continued to eat weekly since.

I'll agree with the other responses, check your husbandry. I've had my original BP since the beginning of November and she has never missed a meal. In addition, I have a new pickup that I've had for about a month now and he was on a 7 month feeding strike with his previous owner and I managed to get him to eat in 3 weeks.

Mine also like to strike from inside their hides. FYI

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Originally Posted by lasweetswan

Mine also like to strike from inside their hides. FYI

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Most of mine do too, I have to dangle the rat in the doorway, it's funny how they think they're being stealthy, but you can see the nose slowly start to poke out before they strike lol.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Most of mine do too, I have to dangle the rat in the doorway, it's funny how they think they're being stealthy, but you can see the nose slowly start to poke out before they strike lol.

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Ha, this made me smile. Mine does the same, thinking he is super sneaky.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Most of mine do too, I have to dangle the rat in the doorway, it's funny how they think they're being stealthy, but you can see the nose slowly start to poke out before they strike lol.

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Lol good laugh! It's so cute when their little noses poke out.