question about rats "traumatizing" snakes

[Artemisace]

So I picked up a male pinstripe from a guy about a month ago. He hadn't eaten in a month and the guy said he had been scratched by a rat which made him go off food. He's been feeding on live just in case anyone was curious. I've been able to get him to eat a large mouse and a juvenile rat, but he will not touch adult rats. Is it possible to get him taking full size rats again? Or should I just double up on mice? Thanks in advance for any help

[OsirisRa32]

Stick with what he will eat...eventually when he gets bigger he might go for larger rats....BPs can be picky eaters...just remember to go slow, be patient and realize it might take weeks, months or a year or two for him to be comfortable again with larger rats.

[Artemisace]

Thank you I honestly figured it was that simple, but I wanted a second more experienced opinion.

[satomi325]

How big is the snake?
Some adult size rats are inappropriate to feed ball pythons anyway. All of my adult snakes feed and maintain a good body condition on small rats. A medium would be max for a live feed in my opinion.

I would feed what it would take.

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[Artemisace]

He's about 3 and a half feet long and weighs about 700 grams, he's thin for his size the guy I got him from didn't know what he was doing. Hope the size info helps.

[OsirisRa32]

How big is the snake?
Some adult size rats are inappropriate to feed ball pythons anyway. All of my adult snakes feed and maintain a good body condition on small rats. A medium would be max for a live feed in my opinion.

I would feed what it would take.

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I have 2 female BPs that are 2800-3000 grams that munch the snot out of large rats on a regular basis.