Baby ball python won't eat.

[Cleo-Patra]

Hi, my name is Laurel and I just bought my first baby ball python about two weeks ago. My problem is that my ball won't eat. We feed her pre-packaged and pre-frozen pinkies that have been thawed. I've tried dangling it in front of her and even just laying in the cage, but she just won't go after it. Any advise or help would be much appreciated.

[MsMissy]

You may need to put her on live prey if she's that young then switch her to f/t later.

[bandicoot4]

Hi, my name is Laurel and I just bought my first baby ball python about two weeks ago. My problem is that my ball won't eat. We feed her pre-packaged and pre-frozen pinkies that have been thawed. I've tried dangling it in front of her and even just laying in the cage, but she just won't go after it. Any advise or help would be much appreciated.

I had the same issue, get her feeding live and after she has been on a regular feeding schedule try moving to freshly killed then try f/t, good luck

[clisenbee121]

has your baby shed if so then maybe her eye caps are still in place, and if they are and she cannot see her prey she won't feed, the only problem with live prey is that they may bite your snake and injure her.

[Marrissa]

I'd stick with F/T. You might not be getting it to the right temp. I usually have my rats heated to around 90F. If its too cool they won't strike. I also hold the rat with the tongs on the scruff of the neck. When I first got him I tried by the tail and he didnt go for it.

I would stick to your guns with the F/T.

[don15681]

call the breeder who you got your hatchling from.

[Cleo-Patra]

Thank you everybody, I just got back from getting a live fuzzy and she went for it right away.

[MsMissy]

I'd stick with F/T. You might not be getting it to the right temp. I usually have my rats heated to around 90F. If its too cool they won't strike. I also hold the rat with the tongs on the scruff of the neck. When I first got him I tried by the tail and he didnt go for it.

I would stick to your guns with the F/T.

I disagree with this strategy if its a hatchling. I think it's too important to get it eating and work on getting its weight up. Once that is established then move to pre killed then f/t. Rat fuzzies really can't do any damage anyway. Once you move up in size then of course it gets more dangerous, done responsibly there is nothing wrong with live prey.

[Huntster]

Good to hear your little guy is eating. I have a hatchling that won't eat a hopper or fuzzy mouse and I am getting worried.

[satomi325]

Mouse pinkies or rat pinkies?
If its mice, it's way too small of a prey item to offer. Try mouse hoppers.
And what temperature are you heating the prey to? Blast them with a hair dryer before offering to around 100 degrees.

But if that doesn't work, I suggest trying a live mouse hopper.

And what is your husbandry like? If your enclosure is too open or spacious, it can make a hatchling very very insecure. Insecurity often leads to going off feed.

EDIT: Never mind. I just say your update post. Congrats on getting your snake to eat!