eating problem

[BPTexas_Pete84]

I bought a bp three weeks ago. Last week i feed my bp 2 small mice and he ate perfect. Everything is the same and she has been acting very well, but this week i fed her tried to do the same and she only ate one she acted like she wanted the second one but never did jus moved around alot. i was told that she should be about to start shedding within a week or two. Is this the reason she didn't eat as much and when should i try to re feed the mouse. or is she ok for this week?

[CoolioTiffany]

If she is going into shed then most likely she would refuse. I have some snakes that refuse meals when they are going into shed and refuse during the shed. So, she could be going into shed within a few days. If she doesn't show any signs of going into shed (pinkish belly, milky/cloudy blue eyes, wrinkled skin, dull skin) then something else could be up. Keep an eye on her for now and if she refuses food the next time then there could be a possibility of something wrong. Just monitor over her for now.

[RichsBallPythons]

Dont see it as a problem. One mouse is better than none. As long as she eats thats fine. Try bumping up to breeder sized mice to feed just one or try a wean rat.

[BPTexas_Pete84]

well when i got her the mouse they fed her was about 3 times the size of a hopper and they fed every 10 days she is about 5 months old and i started giving her 2 hoppers every 5 days. Well today i bout 2 weined mice is that the reason the size didn't look like it was that different. i have kept the mouse and i was wondering when do i try again or do i not and should i just go up one size and get one or stay with what i did today or go back to the 2 hoppers

[Kaorte]

If the snake is 5 months old it can eat way more than two hoppers. A hopper is what you give a hatchling for the first few feedings and then you move to small mice.

I would start feeding the snake 10-15% of its body weight once every 5-7 days.

As for refusing the second mouse, I really don't think it has anything to do with the snake shedding. Most ball pythons that aren't shy feeders will eat all the way through shed. I think she just didn't feel like eating a second mouse that was too small anyway.

Move her up to one appropriately sized meal.

[BPTexas_Pete84]

well thats the thing. she ate the big one fist before i got her. When i did the first feeding i gave her one mouse then 5 days later i gave her 2. This time i went up one size and she only ate one so is that whats she wants then. she is very thick and healthy the vet said for her age so im just confused
please help

[Kaorte]

I don't understand what you need help with.

The snake is eating, just not as much as YOU want her too.

If you went up one size with this most recent feeding and tried to feed her two of the bigger size, that was probably why. She was full.

Just feed her the other next week.