Snake refuses to strike?

[RR - Mackenzie]

I've noticed that a lot of ball pythons strike and coil their food. This usually happens when people do a 'zombie dance', so I figured they do this in the wild, and that it is completely normal, and that every ball python does this.

Well, my ball python certianly isn't normal. He is afraid of the tongs, and the dangling mouse. He will hide in his hide, then I just lay the mouse down a few inches in front of his hide, and he eats them within five minutes, so I think he is intimidated by the dangling mouse.

Is this normal? Or is my ball python just a wuss? I think it would be amazing to see him strike and coil, but as long as he eats, I am fine.

By the way, I got him all new equipment, and he is moving to a nice and secure tub! And feeding day is today, I hope everything goes well.

[RR - Mackenzie]

Any help?

[Kaorte]

I have a couple ball pythons that will only eat if you dangle it and some that will only eat if you lay it in the cage. It varies from snake to snake. Nothing to be worried about.

I have noticed that the more secure they feel, the more likely they are to eat. I know your snake just went back on feed so perhaps he is still getting used to the idea of eating off tongs.

[Vypyrz]

Once you move him to a tub, leave him alone for the week to re-acclimatize to the new enclosure. After I moved my guys from tanks to tubs, I saw a big change in feeding responses.
One thing you may try, instead of dangling the prey, use the tongs to hold it by the skin on its back, set it in front of the hide and just wiggle it a little. Kind of like a rat just sitting there sniffing around. If that doesn't work, just leave it laying there since you know that does work...

[iCandiBallPythons]

I have a few that do this this, I just leave the thawed rat in the bin and its gone within a short amount of time

[tonyaltn]

Mine is that way and will actualy run scared if I dangle the Rat from tongs, and if it touches him he takes off, he really acts scared to death of it. I have to lay it in the cage for him wich I dont mind, as long as he eats I dont care how he does it...its just not as fun, lol.
The 13th was feeding day, and the first time he has ever ate without having to cover the tank with a towel. Normaly if I dont cover the side of the tank he wont eat and if he sees me watching he wont go anywhere near it, I have a shy Python, hahaha. But on the 13th he finally took the Rat, and even with the lights on, although 10 minutes after I fed him the lights shut off and it made him jump a little but he still ate, I didnt notice what time it was, next time I will feed sooner or wait till the lights go out, he jumped so much I thought he thought he was going to stop eating, Im glad he didnt.

[Oxylepy]

One of my snakes refuses to eat frozen and only eats enough to stay alive. She just recently started eating frozen for me and my only guess is that it's because I started handling her instead of leaving her alone.

Also, if you want to feed frozen and the snake has had live before, try grabbing a live mouse/rat with the tongs and offering it that way, so they get used to seeing the rodent at the end of tongs.

[kane_abel]

The last time I fed mine, I put them in there and the snake just started eating, no strike or constricting. I was sad, I love the suspense. Maybe next time. She could've still been exhausted from shedding.

[snakesRkewl]

Well, my ball python certianly isn't normal. He is afraid of the tongs, and the dangling mouse. He will hide in his hide, then I just lay the mouse down a few inches in front of his hide, and he eats them within five minutes, so I think he is intimidated by the dangling mouse.

Is this normal? Or is my ball python just a wuss? I think it would be amazing to see him strike and coil, but as long as he eats, I am fine.

I'd say if he will only eat when you lay it down and leave it

that you have a problem that almost all f/t feeders WISH they had.

[Oxylepy]

I'd say if he will only eat when you lay it down and leave it

that you have a problem that almost all f/t feeders WISH they had.

I have 1 that does it. Has for ages. Back when he was in a tank I would leave the food under the heat lamp. I use him as my garbage disposal now, every time one of the other snakes wont eat, he gets their food, then I feed him last, based on how much he ate otherwise. Its pretty awesome, I have a feeling if I left food in there frozen he's eat it.