feeding (n00b question)

[totall]

Right so I bought a male and female ball python about 4 weeks ago same age same breeder.
The male has fed (defrosted adult mice) every week since I got him even eating shortly before shedding. (I didn't realise he was about to ahead first snakes) it was a perfect shed.
The female has eaten once two weeks after I got her she has refused to feed again tonight, the male is really motivated by food, the female seems to get hyperactive and uninterested.
Any help?

[Skittles1101]

Sadly, ball pythons are known to be picky eaters, and often skip meals. As with all animals every one is different. Your male sounds like a strong feeder, whereas your female may just be a little pickier. What are your set ups like?

[PitOnTheProwl]

Some tent to be pickier than others.
Are they in tubs or tanks?

[totall]

They are in identical tubs.
Aspen substrate, a hide, water bowl.
90-80°F heat gradient.
Humidity between 50-60%
Is the female just shyer or more finicky. is there anything I can do to increase her feeding frequency?

[PitOnTheProwl]

just wait it out and hope for the best.
I have siblings that are going on almost 3 years old and one is around 450g now while the other is about 1500ish g

[totall]

So if she eats occasionally and seems otherwise okay I should chill out?
Her behaviour is similar to the males just a little more active and a little more placid when handled, just worried that I might be doing something wrong.

[BlueMoonExotics]

I have a few that are picky in the way their meal is presented to them. Some will only eat it if I leave it in their tub, some will only eat if the rat is grabbed at the scruff of the neck with the tongs (I guess this makes their rat look more alive?) and some absolutely insist that their meal be moving when they strike it. For awhile my baby yellowbelly would only take his rat if it was drug backwards by the tail . Try different things but you could also try different types of prey or different sizes. I have a few that will only eat mice but most of mine won't touch a mouse and prefer rats. They can be a real pain trying to figure out what they want but once you know, it gets easier. Also, you didn't say how you're heating the mice for feeding but I use a hairdryer to heat them up after they're thawed. Some people use hot water. The heat signature helps to get a feeding response. Heating them up near their tubs also helps get the scent going so they know it's feeding time. My caramel glow girl comes out of her hide in full blown feeding mode when she smells the rodents heating up. Just a few suggestions, hope it helps .

[bcr229]

Have you tried feeding them rats? If they're old enough to be eating adult mice then the breeder may have been feeding rat weanlings.

[totall]

Breeder had been feeding them on adult mice

[totall]

Update: so I heated a defrosted mouse up in some very hot water 45-50°C (113-122°F) so that it was giving a reading of nearer body temperature without risking denaturing and proteins. Grasped it by the scruff with the forceps and presented it to my female (Eva BTW) she seemed extremely interested. Placed the mouse on its back. She came right up and took it head first.

Previously I had been heating them using sort of tempid water (30°C 85°F)and dangling them, worked for the male (Joe). Really quite pleased that it worked. Thanks for the help.