first time trying to feed

[SteveFrench]

to start i am well aware of the notoriety of ball python eating habits, and am prepared to have to try a bunch of times before i get success, but today i tried feeding my ball python for the first time (since i got him) and have a couple questions.

i'm feeding him (trying to at least) F/T rats, the from the same place that the breeder got them from, and he is very curious about the rat, he is flicking his tongue, smelling the rat (from what i can tell) and even poking it with his nose but wont strike. I'm thinking of just leaving the rat outside of his hide for a while seeing if he will eat eventually, or will he not try to eat a motionless rat?

[Cendalla]

That is what I had to do with mine the first time. I dried it off, warmed its head with a blow dryer, wiggled it (with tongs) in front of him, and set it down. I left him completely alone. When I came back five hours later he ate it. Now, after a few months, he'll strike at it while I wiggle it. He still won't swallow it if I'm in the room though. Good luck.

Edit: I let the snakes smell the rat in the room for a while before I feed too. The get excited and know whats coming. :Edit

[iHAZreptiles]

That should work. I just fed my BP for the first time yesterday evening and I tired wiggling it in front of him he looked at it hissed and went away. I tried one more time but didn't wiggle it and he took it after just a few secs.

[SteveFrench]

well it has been about 4 hours since i first tried, then i left it out for a while, and tried feeding again, and still nothing, he is still very curious about the rat but wont eat. i heard of putting tuna juice on it to help feeding, any other tricks out there to try and get him to eat?

[iHAZreptiles]

He probably isn't hungry right now. I'm not sure of your timezone but try feeding it at night or late evening.

[SteveFrench]

SUCCESS!

I turned the lights off for about 10 minutes before trying one last time (it's getting dark here anyways) and warmed the rat a bit more than usual, and then just held him there and after about a minute of watching he finally struck and ate. so today marks his first meal with me and only 2 days after his first shed with me also.