ball python not eating

[Craiga 01453]

Update:

it’s been quite a long time since the last time I tried feeding him. Yesterday morning he was out of his rock (very unusual) and just sitting there motionless. He hissed at me when I looked at him and was in strike position. I thought for sure this would be the day he would eat so that evening I went to get a rat and he didn’t eat it. He stuck his head out and got close to it and then he hid again. I tried reheating it multiple times in hot water and still nothing

Just be patient. Don't offer again for at least two weeks. And NO HANDLING the snake until he eats.

[Moose84]

Update:

it’s been quite a long time since the last time I tried feeding him. Yesterday morning he was out of his rock (very unusual) and just sitting there motionless. He hissed at me when I looked at him and was in strike position. I thought for sure this would be the day he would eat so that evening I went to get a rat and he didn’t eat it. He stuck his head out and got close to it and then he hid again. I tried reheating it multiple times in hot water and still nothing

A snake hissing at you and in strike position doesn't mean he is going to eat. He's being defensive and will more than likely mean he WON'T eat.. People all too often confuse "defensive behavior and position" with wanting to eat. In my experience all of my snakes never hiss before taking a meal... They smell it, locate it and strike it. Hatchlings will sometimes hiss and strike defensively and I know they are not ready (stressed) to eat or don't like what I am giving them. At that point there is no reason to try and fit a square peg in a round hole. Reheating a rodent multiple times and offering to a defensive snake is a waste of your time unfortunately.. Also, don't confuse "missing" with "striking.." I have an adult male who just has bad aim for whatever reason but he always locates it and pursues it. Sitting in the same position and striking and hissing at it the prey is totally different..

[Mommabear.Yoli]

We have one of ours snakes that doesn't strike at all. We leave it at the entrance of his hide and he takes it within 30 mins. He has eaten this way for over a month now. Does there "run" away if you offer to him. But leave it and then turn lights off and close door and he's fine. Takes it when he's ready. Never leave more than about an hour though. Try that and see if it works ..

[Zincubus]

Just a subtle reminder to feed evenings, low/dim lighting and give the mouse/rat a ten second hot blast with a hairdryer - then offer INSTANTLY whilst still warm .

Note - my Royals will only strike from under their hides so dangle the warm food in the hide entrance..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Kodayin]

Update:

it’s been quite a long time since the last time I tried feeding him. Yesterday morning he was out of his rock (very unusual) and just sitting there motionless. He hissed at me when I looked at him and was in strike position. I thought for sure this would be the day he would eat so that evening I went to get a rat and he didn’t eat it. He stuck his head out and got close to it and then he hid again. I tried reheating it multiple times in hot water and still nothing

I don’t know if you answered this already, but what are you feeding him? (Size, etc)
I would suggest trying a different size, and maybe even try scenting the prey before offering it to him (tuna juice works for picky hognoses so it may entice his smell too). Again wait a week as others said before trying again as to not stress him out