I'm at a loss here. Purchased a new ball python at the end of March.
I kept him in a quarantine situation until last month and then moved him to a rack. High temps. are 88 - 91 F. Cool end is 75 - 78 F. Humidity is aprox. 60 %.
Previous owner said he fed on live only and sent him home with a small live rat. She said he was due to eat on day of purchase but she didn't want to feed him just before he traveled. I agreed and offered it to him about a week after purchase, he never did eat it. He's actually never eaten since purchase.
I've offered live, both regular rats and a.s.f. rats. I've offered f/t. I've offered fresh killed,, I've offered everything from weanlings to small med. rats, all to no avail. There have been a couple of times in which he seems slightly interested, but he's never even gone so far as striking at them and actually seems afraid of them.
I was told he was about 2 years old and he came to me at a weight of 1140 grms. He now weighs 1022 grams. There is nothing visually wrong with him, but I thought he was a bit thin when I got him and am starting to get concerned.. He does spend most of his time in his hide, but is active, and alert when I take him out. Is time to force feed, and if not, when? I have numerous other Ball pythons and have never had to force feed. I've had a few that have gone longer without food than this boy, but they were in better body condition when they started. Any suggestions would be welcome. :-)