Ball Python Cannot hold down rodent

[guambomb832]

My ball python Allah has not eaten in about a month because of this. Whenever he strikes at the mouse he just pulls back. One time he did get his coils around him but my brother scared him and he let go. He is about 390 grams and about 2 to 2 and a half feet long. He seems hungry but he just can't hold the prey item long enough for him to start constricting it. Any positive advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

[Wh00h0069]

It sounds like he is defensive striking as opposed to trying to constrict. They do this when they are stressed out. What type of enclosure do you have him in? How big? Are there any hides? What are your temps and humidity like? What are you using to heat the enclosure? What size prey item are you trying to feed him?

[rabernet]

It sounds like he is defensive striking as opposed to trying to constrict. They do this when they are stressed out. What type of enclosure do you have him in? How big? Are there any hides? What are your temps and humidity like? What are you using to heat the enclosure? What size prey item are you trying to feed him?

Agreed - even the tiniest baby is pretty well equipped to kill their prey. Sounds like strikes from stress (defensive) rather than hunger. And being stressed will prevent them from eating - because if you're stressed, you aren't going to put yourself in a vulnerable position (when they are eating, they are completely defenseless - can't strike and can't flee).

[guambomb832]

This is to Whooh0069 he is in like a 20-29 gallon tank aquarium. He has two hides and ambient temps are usually 77-80 degrees all around with a hot spot of like 90-95 with a heat pad. Humidity all around is like 55-65% and I have been trying to feed him small adult mice.

[PythonBreeder]

Is this the same person from youtube who was poking the snake with a pool cue so it would hiss?

[guambomb832]

Yes but that was I recall 4 months ago and I have an actual snake hook if I cannot pick him up. And about the Allah thing, I am sorry for offending you but get over it, do you want me to put up an annotation saying "Disregard that last comment?". I wasn't poking it with a pool cue at all he was striking at it then he pulled back then I touched him with the pool cue again and he balled up. I am way more knowledgeable now and I don't use it anymore. But this isn't about us fighting, it is about the snakes well being. Thanks

[likebull1]

No, im pretty sure you were poking it with a pool stick.
Its pretty amazing how small the internet is, isnt it?

[Spaniard]

Try not to hover excessively over the tank when it is eating. If your brother "scared" it when it did coil I'm pretty sure you guys were a little to close. It is fascinating watching a snake swallow its prey but be respectful and do it from a distant and give your snake the privacy it needs to feel secure enough to eat.

[PythonBreeder]

Yes but that was I recall 4 months ago and I have an actual snake hook if I cannot pick him up. And about the Allah thing, I am sorry for offending you but get over it, do you want me to put up an annotation saying "Disregard that last comment?". I wasn't poking it with a pool cue at all he was striking at it then he pulled back then I touched him with the pool cue again and he balled up. I am way more knowledgeable now and I don't use it anymore. But this isn't about us fighting, it is about the snakes well being. Thanks

Alright well I forgive you just think before you speak next time. And It's good that you getting more knowledgeable about this fantastic hobby.

[JeffJ]

YouTube - Wild Ball Python Alah

So yah you say your snake wont eat. you should stress it out poke at it more with your pool cue..... i mean "snake hook"