In July, I got two baby ball pythons from a breeder in Florida. The male, doesn't miss a feeding, really great feeder. Not exactly the friendliest, but to be expected. The female, I can't seem to get her to eat anything. She goes an average of every two weeks and this past feeding this is the third week she's refused to this time. I've tried feeding her in her cage, I have tried taking her out and putting her in the feeding tank I have for the male, I tried leaving a small hopper in their pre killed in her tank overnight, and no matter what I do it seems like she has no prey drive almost. It's like she doesn't care whether she eats or not. I put a live Jumper in her tank and she comes out and investigates a little and smells but she doesn't actually try to strike it or anything. I'm slightly concerned about the situation, especially being that the male has gained 150g since the end of July (this is normal I assume?), and she's barely gained 50.
I got them both at just shy of 200g. The humidity is correct, between 50 and 70, the temperature's fine gradient from 75 / 80 to 85 / 90 depending on the temperature in the house. I've also been trying to hand tame her and I don't seem to be getting far. She is very jerky and skiddish at every movement and touch. I try to hold her about 15-20 minutes a day two days a week. Because of her I have only been able to hold my male about 4 times for short periods since I got them, and he it's still more relaxed then her. Please help. I need advice about earning their trust, I've tried Google and the only thing I get is hold them, not how or what to do when they do whatever and when to stop etc, and what to do about her feeding issues. I've tried both rats and mice and I was informed they we're feeding on frozen thawed rat pups.
Thank you.