Not eating

[Seak]

This is a normal problem with BPs, they are picky eaters and they can go a long time without eating. I highly doubt that yours "doesn't know how to eat." It sounds like your BP is not comfortable in it's enclosure and is probably stressed. You still haven't mentioned a single thing about your temps/set up, so I really think that is where the problem is. After it gets comfortable in its new home, he'll eat. I've never in my life heard of one that doesn't know how.

[Reptile King]

As the other members have mentioned........the temperatures are critical for maintaining a healthy ball python. The hot side should be somewhere around 90 degrees. A degree or two either way won't hurt. The cool side should be upper 70's to low 80's. Also, you want your humidity to be around 50 to 60%. A little higher when they are in shed.

Once this environment is achieved then you should have a successful feeding. I would recommend to start with a live fuzzy or hopper mouse. Once you have had 3 successful feedings with live prey then you can switch to frozen thawed. When feeding here is what I recommend. Place the fuzzy or hopper in with your snake at nighttime as ball pythons are nocturnal. Turn off all your lights in your bedroom. You will know when your ball python has got their food as you will hear the mouse sqeak. Once this happens your good to turn on your room lights to watch the feeding if you like as they are in feeding mode.

This is all my $0.02. Good Luck and keep us updated!!

[Seak]

Once this environment is achieved then you should have a successful feeding. I would recommend to start with a live fuzzy or hopper mouse. Once you have had 3 successful feedings with live prey then you can switch to frozen thawed. When feeding here is what I recommend. Place the fuzzy or hopper in with your snake at nighttime as ball pythons are nocturnal. Turn off all your lights in your bedroom. You will know when your ball python has got their food as you will hear the mouse sqeak. Once this happens your good to turn on your room lights to watch the feeding if you like as they are in feeding mode.

I'm pretty sure Petco only feeds f/t, so they might have a better chance using that instead of live.

[Reptile King]

That's a good point Seak. I've never purchased a ball python from Petco so I'm not real familiar with how they feed. I've always bought mine from a breeder. Also, mine have never eaten when I bought them. That's why I recommended to start with live prey.

[thsoccer3]

i actually got Pypes to eat last night. only a few hours after i posted saying he won't eat! i had him for 3 weeks, and he was obviously nice and comfortable...

i took him out of the cage, put him in a large rubbermaid container with tall enough sides so i could watch without a lid, and dropped a live hopper about 4 inches from his nose...

i then went inside to get the camera, and when i came back outside about litterally 30 seconds later, Pypes was constricting the mouse.... and it took a total of about 20 minutes for it to disappear. i was soooo happy! i have some amazing pictures of my new normal baby ball Pypes. as soon as i learn how to post them, i will...

[Reptile King]

i actually got Pypes to eat last night. only a few hours after i posted saying he won't eat! i had him for 3 weeks, and he was obviously nice and comfortable...

i took him out of the cage, put him in a large rubbermaid container with tall enough sides so i could watch without a lid, and dropped a live hopper about 4 inches from his nose...

i then went inside to get the camera, and when i came back outside about litterally 30 seconds later, Pypes was constricting the mouse.... and it took a total of about 20 minutes for it to disappear. i was soooo happy! i have some amazing pictures of my new normal baby ball Pypes. as soon as i learn how to post them, i will...

That's AWESOME! Can't wait for pics!

[thsoccer3]

[thsoccer3]

[thsoccer3]

[thsoccer3]