picky eater

[Benjo_08]

My baby ball python refuses to eat. I've had her two weeks now and she doesnt even look interested in the frozen fuzzies. All my temps and humidity seem right so i dunno what the deal is. I know they are known to be picky eaters but he is SO skinny it bothers me. I dont know much about the previous owner so i dunno if he has ever eaten before or not.

Should I try live food?

Also, how long should i leave the frozen fuzzy in his feeding container before i take it out? The snake doesnt look interested in it what so ever so i usually take it out after an hour.

[syvil]

Have you tried scenting the room? My guy was kind of picky at first but what I do is thaw the fuzzy in hot water in a tupperware container with a lid for 20mins. Then I set the fuzzy on a napkin on top of his cage for 30mins then run the fuzzy through hot water for a few mins and dangle it by it's tail with tongs and he usually eats it right away now. When soaking/thawing I put the fuzzy in a zip lock bag.

EDIT as mchnut450 said feed him at night. I feed mine around 8PM every Thursday

[mechnut450]

well depending on were you got it they should let you know what they had it on food wise. or if it was just out the egg if so then you may have issues gettign it o eat with all the stress. if you offer live I say give it a hopper ( just getting their eyes open. I also suggest to feed later at night so it closer ot their actual roaming time ( about 9 pm ) I often leave them over nightand just check a couple time boefer i go to bed.

I am not a pro so don't rely on my answer as stone

[Benjo_08]

I let it thaw right next to his cage today hoping it would help. I even held the things with tongs and got the blow dryer hoping it would get the scent flowin his way.

The previous owner was on craigslist (thats my first mistake) lol and he was kinda shady so i dont think he would tell me the truth about the snake not eating.

Is it okay to re-use the same f/t? If he doesnt eat it can i re-freez it?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

If it is a very young animal and as never ate for you the best thing would be to offer live and only attempt to switch once your animal is well established and has successfully ate at least 5 consecutive time.

All my temps and humidity seem right

Can you elaborate?

Size of your BP?

Size of your enclosure?

Temps? Humidity? How you measure them (Type of thermometer and hygrometer used?), Hides (Are they tight and identical?), How often you handle your BP, how often you offer food etc…

[mrshawt]

I let it thaw right next to his cage today hoping it would help. I even held the things with tongs and got the blow dryer hoping it would get the scent flowin his way.

The previous owner was on craigslist (thats my first mistake) lol and he was kinda shady so i dont think he would tell me the truth about the snake not eating.

Is it okay to re-use the same f/t? If he doesnt eat it can i re-freez it?

Don't reuse f/t mice. The freezing and defrosting causes more decomposition to occur. If he doesn't take it, chuck it.

[Benjo_08]

He maybe a foot or just a little over.
He's in a 20g encloser, identical hides. Warm side is 90 cool side is 79 humidity stays between 50-60. I measure them with acurite thermometers i got at walmart. I waited a week before i tried to handle him, but now i handle him 10minutes a day or every other day. I offer him food every 7 days

[mrshawt]

He maybe a foot or just a little over.
He's in a 20g encloser, identical hides. Warm side is 90 cool side is 79 humidity stays between 50-60. I measure them with acurite thermometers i got at walmart. I waited a week before i tried to handle him, but now i handle him 10minutes a day or every other day. I offer him food every 7 days

The size of the enclosure could be stressing him out. You may want to try moving him to a 10g tank or a small tub.

Is it male or female by the way? You said both in the first post.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

He maybe a foot or just a little over.
He's in a 20g encloser, identical hides. Warm side is 90 cool side is 79 humidity stays between 50-60. I measure them with acurite thermometers i got at walmart. I waited a week before i tried to handle him, but now i handle him 10minutes a day or every other day. I offer him food every 7 days

I would downsize and plut him in a 6 or 12 quarts tub at them most, with tight identical hides, I would also stop any handling until he start eating with consistency and I would offer live.

Sounds that you have a young hatchling whether he was started or not apparently is not something you know so for now optimum security, no handling and live feeding would be best untill he start eating for you.

[Benjo_08]

should i offer him live in his encloser? he may be more comfortable eating there