Ball python wont eat

[Bpmike1208]

well 4 weeks ago now ,i fed my ball python a live rat ( ik some say its bad to do so for this very reason but it wont take prekilled or frozen). well anyway i fed it a live rat and it struck at it ,but the rat bit back i tried to help but it got the snake, n on top of that the Bp Lost a tooth and now after 4 weeks i still can not get her to eat what should i do? shes scared of rats

[sho220]

well 4 weeks ago now ,i fed my ball python a live rat ( ik some say its bad to do so for this very reason but it wont take prekilled or frozen). well anyway i fed it a live rat and it struck at it ,but the rat bit back i tried to help but it got the snake, n on top of that the Bp Lost a tooth and now after 4 weeks i still can not get her to eat what should i do? shes scared of rats

How big is the ball and how big was the rat?

[Bpmike1208]

How big is the ball and how big was the rat?

the ball is 3 1/2 feet long not sure of weight and the rat wasnt any larger then the thickest part of her, i have fed rats that size to her b4 but this one put up a fight when she struck it jumped and the way she grabed it tore a tooth out, i also fed the same sized rat to the male ( her partner they are both het axanthics) and hes doing fine still eating and hes slightly smaller at 3 feet long

[JLC]

You could try offering her a mouse. If she takes it, then offer a 2nd after she finishes completely swallowing the first and settles back into "hunt mode". She could probably eat three if you wanted her to.

However, it's not uncommon for females of that size to suddenly lose interest in food. It could very well be a seasonal/hormonal thing that has nothing to do with the last feeding.

[Clint Bundy]

She might be going off feed. If you are really worried about her try a soft furred rat. I have a female spider that went off feed for almost 2 months. She is fine and putting on weight like a champ now.

[Bpmike1208]

She might be going off feed. If you are really worried about her try a soft furred rat. I have a female spider that went off feed for almost 2 months. She is fine and putting on weight like a champ now.

just went to the pet store and picked up a very very small rat took her a while but she finnaly took it and is eating it as i speak, thanks guys