Newbie That just needs some advice about how to progress with a stubborn eater

[skreetboy]

So I recently purchased a 1-month-old pie/banana ball python (male) on 8/7/2021. Talked to the breeder he said he had eaten live mouse hoppers consistently 3 times. I took him home the same day and waited till Thursday of that week to feed him for the first time. I tried f/t and he struck but wasn't interested, tried again on Saturday and left him alone with it after he didn't take and I took him out and weighed him he's about 60 grams and is looking a little skinny now on his top side. tried tonight to feed him a live small hopper removed his 2 hides and left the mouse in for 20 mins still didn't take it. he is currently in a 15 q tub with a hide on the hot side and a water bowl hide on the cold side. adv temps on cold are 77F and 85f ambient and an 89-degree basking spot and using paper towels for sub. I have been monitoring temps since I have got him and his behavior is normal he sleeps all day and comes around at night. I have been reading as much as a can but just wanna get some input. today marks 11 days since i got him but 60 grams is skinny and I'm a little bit worried. what do you guys think is the best course of action?

[DatBoiAJ_]

depends...you usually leave them alone for about a week before doing anything with them. Feed them the exact same as when you bought. Wait another day and try again, i don't have much experience with this but that's what i'd do.

[skreetboy]

Do u think I should leave him alone again for a week and then try? I'm a little nervous about his weight.

[DatBoiAJ_]

a week wouldn't be good, not saying anything is "bad" but be watching the weight, that's good that you're doing that. Just saying when/if you get a new snake leave them alone for a week. Just wait a day to feed but make sure it's the exact same food as when you bought him.

[EL-Ziggy]

Sometimes it can take new arrivals a while to get on track with eating. It sounds like your temps are good so just let the snake settle in and get hungry. Since it’s a BP the most important thing is to get him eating. You can transition to f/t later. If you have good access to live prey I’d offer a small feeder every 7-14 days. Offering food too often will sometimes stress them out even more and cause more refusals. If he doesn’t eat live you can also try fresh killed. He’ll eat eventually. The hunger always wins in the end. Best wishes with your new critter and please keep us posted on your progress.

[DatBoiAJ_]

everything ziggy said was good. Yea temps are good, i don't know about my snake not eating, she'll eat mice, rats, live fresh killed, she's really good. Hope your snake gets to be like mine, could i see pics of yours, i have a thing for pieds, especially banana pieds

[skreetboy]

so I shouldn't worry about him not eating and just wait another 7 days from today? I can post pictures of him tom afternoon. i just kinda wanna get an idea of when i really need to be worried

[DatBoiAJ_]

with your situation, i'd try every day or every two days. When your snake is eating you just feed every week. the pics will help tell what the urgency is. Don't be worried yet, just be cautious/observant but the pics will help to tell what you need to do

[Snow Balls]

with your situation, i'd try every day or every two days. When your snake is eating you just feed every week. the pics will help tell what the urgency is. Don't be worried yet, just be cautious/observant but the pics will help to tell what you need to do

DO NOT try to feed your new hatchling every day or two if he/she is refusing. You are just going to stress the snake out more. Wait a week since you last tried to feed, leave him or her alone and try again with a live mouse hopper


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[DatBoiAJ_]

like i said don't have much experience.. listen to this guy

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only reason i said 1-2 days is because its a 60 gram snake