Only had him a few weeks :-(

[Georgethrn]

Hi guys.

So I bought a 3 year old python (male), this was about 3 weeks ago. And he has not eaten one rat since. I've offered him about 5 over the 3 week period tho. And last Friday he shed his skin, so I thought he might eat the next day. And still no joy..

Please can anyone help me out. I'm really worried about him, am I doing something wrong? I've tried wiggling the rat using tongs in front of him. And also left in his hide.. nothing seems to work..

Thanks guys, I hope your all having a good day

[Kira]

Have you been handling him a lot? It's possible that he could be stressed out. A live rodent might entice him to eat. Try not to worry too much yet since adult ball pythons can go a few months without eating. Also, it is common for them to go off feed during the winter.

[Georgethrn]

Thanks for your reply.. yes Ive been handling him every 2-3 days so that he could get used to me.

[Kira]

Personally I think it would be best to try to not handle him until he has successfully eaten. You probably know this already but don't handle him for 48 hours after eating. He might be stressed due to all these new changes in his life. Don't handle him for a week and then try to offer him food again. I hope it works out and congrats on your new snake!

[PitOnTheProwl]

How much weight has he lost?
Leave him alone for a week or two and allow him to relax.

[Georgethrn]

I don't think he has lost any weight. Also is it true that if I stop handling him he might not be used to me? And what else should I do? He has a hide on the heat mat side and cold side. Also water and a couple of fake greenery things.. should I fill his viv with more places to hide? I also thought I could put more aspen in. Maybe 3-5 inches, my thinking was that he could then play about and bury himself under the aspen..

Thank you all for this, to be honest I only got him because I was terrified of snakes.lol I'm not any more. Even when he is stressed he hasn't bit me or anything. I think they are amazing animals and so cute.lol

[Kira]

He will get used to you. Pit and I are just saying not to handle him for a week or two so he can adjust. After he settles in you can handle him a few times each week. Two hides are perfect! Most care sheets will say to have one hide on the cool side and one on the warm side- just like what you're doing! I think no more than 2" of aspen is plenty. It sounds like your snake has a wonderful personality! Ball pythons are typically very docile.

[PitOnTheProwl]

They don't get use to us, they tolerate us.
How are you regulating your heat mat?
What are your actual temperatures? Surface of the glass on the mat?

[Georgethrn]

Just an update, I haven't bothered him since the last time I posted. And I tried to feed him last night. Still no joy :-/ skits been a month now without eating, I hope he will be okay

[Monty44]

I've had my 4-5-month-old ball python for three weeks now. He finally ate during week two, and not from tongs or by hand. I had to leave the thawed fuzzy on the floor of the tank and turn of the lights so it was dark. When I came back five minutes later I found him starting to eat the fuzzy on his own. It was the first time I've seen a python eat so I thought it was pretty cool. Maybe give this a shot? Good luck!