New BP hasn't accepted a meal in 3 weeks.

I aquired a baby female ball python from a local breeder and haven't had any success attempting to feed her a frozen/thawed fuzzy yet. I try once a week on the same day. Put her in a feeding tub and do not feed her in her enclosure. The humidity and temperature are normal in her encloser and she seems active and doesn't act defensive or stressed. I have tried to handle her as little as possible to keep any possible stress down yet she hasn't eaten in 3 weeks. Should I be concerned?

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Originally Posted by LavenderNoodle

I aquired a baby female ball python from a local breeder and haven't had any success attempting to feed her a frozen/thawed fuzzy yet. I try once a week on the same day. Put her in a feeding tub and do not feed her in her enclosure. The humidity and temperature are normal in her encloser and she seems active and doesn't act defensive or stressed. I have tried to handle her as little as possible to keep any possible stress down yet she hasn't eaten in 3 weeks. Should I be concerned?

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Try feeding her in her enclosure. The handling right before feeding might be putting her off.

Also check that they were feeding her FT prey. I have a female that refuses anything but live mice.


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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Try feeding her in her enclosure. The handling right before feeding might be putting her off.

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Right there. I've never heard a good reason to feed a BP in a separate feeding enclosure.

I handle BP feedings as almost religious ceremonies. Only at night, total silence in the house, dim lighting, nobody but myself, minimal distractions. Once the snake bites and coils, all lights go out and I leave the room. BPs need to feel secure to eat.

When feeding outside the enclosure it's only a matter of time before it stresses the animal enough to lead to refusals, not to mention other issues you will experience if you keep feeding outside the enclosure.

I'll try feeding her inside of her enclosure then. Thanks.

Try feeding in enclosure l, in wild they hide in rodent burrows and ambush moving to a tub isn’t natural to them. I feed close to entrance to hide to simulate a rodent coming along please see pics https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ed7aae1f86.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f466512c31.jpg

They like to poke there head out of hide when ready. Also use snake tongues to wiggle the rodent.


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Originally Posted by Jamiekerk

...Also use snake tongues to wiggle the rodent....

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I'd recommend using "tongs" actually...:D

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'd recommend using "tongs" actually...:D

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I second that [emoji38]


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Oops. Commented under the wrong thing


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Originally Posted by JRLongton

Right there. I've never heard a good reason to feed a BP in a separate feeding enclosure.

I handle BP feedings as almost religious ceremonies. Only at night, total silence in the house, dim lighting, nobody but myself, minimal distractions. Once the snake bites and coils, all lights go out and I leave the room. BPs need to feel secure to eat.

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I do the same thing lol.

Also try to make the prey warm when you're offering it as they can be uninterested if they don't detect enough heat. I blast my thawed mice with a hairdryer on hot for about 10-20 seconds before offering and if the snake refuses I re-warm the mouse with the hairdryer and try again. Some people have also recommended just leaving the mouse outside the hide for a few hours and coming back later since some BPs are too nervous to eat when you're there.

All great advise

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