Refused first meal

[Seru1]

I defrosted an f/t hopper mouse on a table only a foot from the cage, heated it to 102 and tried to dance it around the cage abit...she didn't come out so I...probably foolishly uncovered her.


She seemed interested but nervous. I could tell by her breathing she was tense. A little scared of the mouse when it touched her. A few times I thought she was about to take it but she didn't.


I left it at an entrance to one of her hides. The temps are much better today since I picked up a zoo med rheostat as a temporary fix.


I was really hoping she'd have a healthy feeding response. I wonder If I messed with her to much.

[Vilenica]

In my opinion (if your speaking of a hatchling ball python) touching the snake with the hopper might have messed you up. In my experience (i feed all live prey) first time feeders rarely let a hopper mouse come in contact with them before they attempt a feeding strike. If they do get touched by a hopper mouse they feel like they have been ambushed, remain timid and wont feed that attempt. If you insist on feeding f/t i would not unhide the snake at all cost and never force the hopper closer than 2-3 inches of the snake. Let the snake come to the prey. Good luck and happy herping. P.S. I dont find it difficult to switch live eaters (as neonates) to f/t using hemostats to feed with. That live factor might help your b/p kick off with a good feeding response. happy herping.

[Seru1]

I did use a set of rubber tipped forceps.


From now on though I won't unhide her or touch her with it. Poor thing I wanted to do something right for her for once.



Think she might eat it if I leave it overnight? Or should I just refreeze it?


Thanks for your help!

[Elise.m]

I would leave it in over night. Once a f/t has been thawed, most people throw it away, something about it continuing to decay (I can't remember since I mostly feed live).

You're gonna have to find out how she wants to eat. My female won't take p/k or f/t unless I uncover her, drop it in there and cover her cage. She used to not be so picky, but recently she has been.

Good luck!

[Seru1]

I was always told Ball's were picky, but I was hoping since she was young I could talk her in to f/t.


I just hate the thought of feeding live, if it comes to it I will. I don't even know where to get them though. Should I wait a whole nother week to offer again if she doesn't eat?

[Elise.m]

That's what I would do. You'll probly be able to convert her to f/t, sometimes it just takes a little more elbow grease than we expected.

Feeding live really isn't that bad, yeah, you'll feel bad for the mouse. But, you will feel so good about your snake eating it will overcome it. If it makes it any easier, my BF has made me say thank you to the mouse/rat before I offer it off.

[Seru1]

I would feel very bad for the mouse, especially if she didn't take it and I was stuck looking at a future meal wondering what to do with it.


But yes right now I'd be happy just to have her eat. I hope I can get her to enjoy f/t. Maybe I should try splitting the head or putting a little tunafish on it.

[Kaorte]

Sorry if you have already told me before but when did you get this snake?

Don't be disappointed if she didn't eat her first meal with you. It is common. Don't think that f/t is out of the question now. Wait one week and try again.

Did you pre-scent before offering the food to her? I usually just blow dry the head of the feeder in the same room as the snake. The heat from the blow dryer makes the smell very strongly.

Next time, wait for her to poke out of her hide a little bit before putting the mouse in front of her so you know she is ready. Keep the lights off in the room.

[Seru1]

Oooh the lights were on. I keep forgetting they are nocturnal!

I got her yesterday but the breeder fed her every sunday and suggested trying today might not hurt.


I blow dryed it over the vents and on the table next to it until it was 102*

I'll wait for her to emerge next time. I hate uncovering her as I know it makes her tense.

This was the first time I did it on purpose. In hopes she'd be enticed.


Fingers crossed she will eat it overnight. If not I suppose I will let her alone all week,(Aside from temp checks), and see if she will take a prescented hopper next week.

[Kaorte]

Oooh the lights were on. I keep forgetting they are nocturnal!

I got her yesterday but the breeder fed her every sunday and suggested trying today might not hurt.


I blow dryed it over the vents and on the table next to it until it was 102*

I'll wait for her to emerge next time. I hate uncovering her as I know it makes her tense.

This was the first time I did it on purpose. In hopes she'd be enticed.


Fingers crossed she will eat it overnight. If not I suppose I will let her alone all week,(Aside from temp checks), and see if she will take a prescented hopper next week.

ok well generally we tell people to leave their snake completely alone for a week before handling or feeding.

She isn't adjusted to her environment yet, don't sweat it. Offer again next week and she will probably take it just fine.