Louie keeps coiling but won't EAT!!

Hi everybody!! I'm tembii and Louie is my little ball python baby. I got him from Petco almost three months ago. He was one foot long now he's almost two! He ate at the store the night I got him then with me he has eaten five more times. Two pinkies, two fuzzies, and one small mouse. All f/t. But the last two times I offered him a small mouse he struck it perfectly and coiled it but then drops it and won't eat it. I'm afraid he looks like he might be a little skinny. I read on here maybe if they do that its because the prey item is too big but he ate a small mouse before right after he shed so I assumed he was comfortable with those! Should I try him a fuzzies again? I feed him in a separate container. I feed him Arctic Mice brand mice from petsmart but I'm about to switch to a breeder to save on costs. I would just hate to buy 50 frozen small mice if he hates them all. Any thoughts of suggestions would be amazing!!

https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9 https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...5d&oe=564549EB https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9. These first two pics were taken recently and the last one was taken two weeks ago after he shed

it's possible since u are feeding f/t that the mice might not be warm or hot enough. or possibly not completely thawed?

here's a similar thread - http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ting-on-repeat. the OP in that thread just went through the same thing with her snakes.

Edit to say: cute baby BP. he looks orange-y in the last pix. :)

The night before feeding I put the frozen mouse in the fridge then when I get home the next day in the evening so almost 24hrs, I put the mouse in a glass of hot water to warm it then serve it. I'll check that post out thanks so much for a reply!! xo

I had this problem with one of my Balls, my mistake the mouse/Rat was not warm enough I warmed up the head a little warmer than the Body and it worked i used my hair dryer. My Pythons don't like the rodent to be wet Dry and warm..is what worked for me.
Hope this helps[emoji4]
Sent from my SGH-T999

I had the same issue with one of mine. Turns out using hot tap water to warm it wasn't enough, I had to put boiled water in the cup (mouse dry in bag) so that is was almost hot when I gave it to her. By the time she uncoiled she ate it using this method.

Argh, I had this problem with one of my girls. Ridiculously frustrating. First of all, I would stop feeding in a separate container. It stresses them out, and feeding in their enclosure will not make them more likely to bite. If you're absolutely certain that the food is warm enough, then it's time for other ideas. What solved the problem for me was three or four tugs on the prey after the snake coils it to mimic the rodent struggling. After that, turn off all the lights and leave the room for a solid 15-30 minutes. There's no guarantee that will work, but it's worth a try.

One other thing. Check your rodents for any signs of freezer burn, which is expressed in small white spots on the skin (usually on the ears and legs). My picky eater hates freezer burned rodents. She absolutely refuses to eat the things, no matter how little freezer burn it actually has... To be fair, I wouldn't eat it either. :rolleyes:

I was just about to suggest:

1. making sure the prey is thoroughly thawed and soft around the belly and head, reheating it in a zip lock bag in very warm water for a few minutes right before offering.

2. Ask for some dirty mouse bedding from the pet store (with mouse poop and all their heavy smells in it), and re-scenting the thawed mouse right before offering. I suggest heating it in a zip lock bag so that the mouse doesn't get wet + all the mouse bedding will stick to its fur.

And then I see Ax linked to my old thread. :P Hopefully this might work for you.

I had a large female that would do this up to four times a night before I started gently tugging on the tail while she was coiling it. Simulating the rat struggling seemed to fix the issue. She's only done this once in the past 6 months now.

I forgot to add I also have to tug a little on the rat after my baby coils around it lol I think my baby is spoiled. ... My Python is a year old.[emoji4]

Sent from my SGH-T999

I would suggest you check the husbandry. Although the reason is sometimes the food, it is more often that the husbandry isn't correct.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tembii

I read on here maybe if they do that its because the prey item is too big but he ate a small mouse before right after he shed so I assumed he was comfortable with those! Should I try him a fuzzies again?

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A small mouse is not going to be too big for your snake (unless it's an abnormally tiny hatchling). If anything, I would say your food is too small. Mice fuzzies are too small for any BP, even hatchlings right out of the egg.

If your food is properly sized, doublecheck your environment. Heat, humidity, ample hiding places, etc.