I have had this ball for five years now. The first few years he ate without problem, I got him at 2. His fifth year he started getting picky. It went from not eating darker mice or rats to not eating mice... then not eating rats and literally fasting for 6 months the first time and almost 8 months the last time. I became so desperate I started feeding him gerbils, it was the only thing he would eat and people said I was stupid for feeding him that as its like crack and now he wont eat anything else. Well he stopped eating gerbils. I got more rats, nope, mice, nope. I was at the pet store one day complaining about my snake and the employee that was working that day asked me if I ever fed him an African Spiny Mouse. I said I hadn't and she said they were overrun with them and would sell me some for small rat prices so I bought two. Well my god, my snake has never reacted to food like he did this time, he was so excited he literally grabbed the bum of one and hung on, I thought he was going to get bit but the he finally wrapped. He ate that one in no time, I put another one in and like lightning he took it. So, it would appear he is all about these mice. The store has a lot at the moment so I should be good for a few months but I am worried about what is going to happen in the future. I have tried everything, scenting, laying out fresh killed, not handing anything and using tongs, rats, mice, gerbils, dagus ... this guy is stubborn, he will go a long time without eating! Has anyone had such a finicky snake and if so, what did you do?