Now What's Wrong?

[rabernet]

How large is your tank? The cool side needs to be 80-82 degrees, the lower end of the 70's is far too cool. At 150 grams, he doesn't need to be in an enclosure any larger than 10 gallons at this point.

All his behaviors sound like stress related behaviors, including the refusal of food. A hatchling ball python, up to at least a year generally doesn't refuse food when not stressed, as it's in their best interest to grow as quickly as possible so as not to be prey themselves.

Have you reviewed the "Why won't my snake eat" portion of our ball python care sheet to rule out each reason one by one yet?

In order to settle him for now, I would recommend filling his tank with loosely crumpled newspaper, all the way to the brim. Not pretty, but it helps to settle a stressed out snake, especially a baby, by allowing him to feel something touching him on all sides. Don't handle for at least a week, and after a week, drop in a live small mouse (in his enclosure, with the newspaper still in there). Walk away, check back in 30 minutes. The mouse should be gone.

At that point, you can begin to "wean" him of the newspaper, by removing a piece or two, every 5th day or so.