Won't eat :(

[balactm@jmu.edu]

We've had our ball python, Kaa, for a little over a month now, and he hasn't eaten since August 1, 2009. I've tried everything I can think of in terms of feeding him. I've left him alone for a week, then tried feeding him, I've tried blow drying the fuzzy to make it dry, I've tried heating up the fuzzy in chicken broth, I've tried dragging the fuzzy around the cage, I've tried leaving it there for hours, I've tried feeding him out of his cage, in the dark, everything I can think of. Any time I've tried feeding him lately, he smells the fuzzy, then starts slithering up towards my hand, like he wants me to hold him. Maybe he's just not interested in eating?? Any suggestions would be great.

[Jared]

Have you tried feeding LIVE? I guess I am assuming you are attempting F/T, but IDK.

My suggestion would be no contact whatsoever (making sure the enclosure is in a no traffic area of your home) for about 5 days, then in the night, with all the lights off, gently drop a live fuzzy or hopper in with your Ball, and walk away for a few hours.

[NorthernRegius]

Temps/RH type of housing... these are things we need to know along with if it's frozen thawed or pre-killed prey. How EXACTLY are you offering it... more details please.

[reixox]

i know this sounds like a stupid question.. but you are wiggling it around like its live right?
some balls wont go for the whole dead mouse thing. so as the post above says live would be an option.

[Kaorte]

Can you describe, in detail, your setup? A picture would also be very helpful.
temps? Humidity? how are you measuring the two? Heating source? Heating control? Substrate? type of hides and how many? Tank/tub size?

Usually snakes go off feed when their husbandry is off.

Sounds like you have tried everything in terms of offering prey, but not in terms of husbandry.

[balactm@jmu.edu]

husbandry:
he has two hideaway's one on the cold side, the other on the warm side. the temperature is b/n 90-95 on the warm side using a red heat lamp and a heating pad under the tank to keep the bottom warm, the cool side just has a heating pad on low under the tank. i'm using the fake grass stuff they sell at pet stores that can be washed again, there are a couple of rocks, a log with some covering, and a water dish that is constantly filled.

yes i've tried wiggling it, i've also tried cutting up the skull and exposing the brain, it's a frozen fuzzy that i thaw. don't know if that helps. i've heard that using live prey can really scare the snake since they're used to eating thawed frozen prey. he's captive bred. i pick up the fuzzy with pliers, put it in the cage near the snake and then move it around, dragging it along the ground, up onto his log, around him, everything i can think of.

I guess if no one else can think of anything, live will be the last option...

[Hulihzack]

Your set up sounds decent, but I would definitely offer live if he won't take a brained fuzzy. That's usually a good indicator that the f/t isn't cutting it for them.

[j_kszb]

When i bought my Bp they said it was on a F/T diet, but i couldn't seem to get etnie to eat f/t. So i was suggested to try live and he ate it with no problems at all.

[balactm@jmu.edu]

ok, so then dumb question, what kind of live prey should i get? he's a baby so i don't know in terms of size. and also, where's the best place to get live prey?

[Kaorte]

What kind of thermometers are you using to measure the temps? Are you controlling your heat sources with anything? What KIND of hides are you using? Yes it makes a difference.

Can you maybe describe your ball pythons normal day to day behavior?