MY SNAKE WONT EAT. please help!!!!?

[Clint Bundy]

You can always try a force feed. Get the hopper into the mouth and see if it starts to swallow the mouse automatically. Not really for the novice snake keeper but it works.

[AkHerps]

He ate!!!!! Holy crap am I happy!!!!! Okay to help you out, this is what I did. I divided my 20 long into an approx. 10in x 10in square. Smaller than a 10 gallon. I just put him on aspen a couple days ago. Barely giving any floor space, I gave him two hides on the right, a humid hide, a cold hide, and a water dish. He has a UTH but I had a red bulb on to heat up the air on the warm side.

I had basically lost all hope he showed zero interest in live, frozen, in his tank, in a feeding tub, braining, tuna juice, blowdryer.... Last resort, I just decided well, I'm going to leave a small mouse in his house over night, whatever, if he's hungry maybe he'll eat it. It's a little too big for him, but you know what, I can't try anything else and I can't find live hoppers or fuzzies, or anything and nothing is working for almost 2 months.

I stuck a small live mouse in his tank, and laid down. I look up 20 minutes later, and it's dead and he's eating it!!! He has a big lump in his tummy but he freaking ate.

I would suggest trying something similar to my method, since it worked, and I'm sure we got snakes from the same clutch!
Good luck!!!

[Kaorte]

When people say their snake isn't eating, the first thing I look at is husbandry and security. If the snake doesn't feel safe and isn't being kept at the right temperatures, it won't eat. Baby snakes are very small and very scared of everything. Putting them in a large enclosure is not always the best decision. A small shy baby in a larger enclosure will generally give you a problem feeder.

Move to a 10g or even better, a 6 or 15qt tub. Tubs are nice for a couple of reasons. They are easy to clean, easy to regulate humidity, easy to heat, and provide a nice tight space that will make your snake feel safe.

Hides are also VERY important with a single setup (not in a rack). You want two identical tight fitting hides. This means touching the snake on all sides with one small entrance. I prefer plastic bowls from the dollar store. Cheap, effective, and easy to clean.

Contrary to what you might think, your snake does not really need any floor space. The floor space under the hides is plenty as they will spend nearly all of their time in hiding if they had the choice.

Also, you need to make sure your temps are in a good range. Those round gauges or tape thermometers are not accurate enough. You want something digital. If you have a UTH (which you should) you absolutely need a probed thermometer under the substrate right where the UTH is. You also absolutely need some way to control this heating device as it gets much to hot when just plugged into a wall. A thermostat is the best choice although a rheostat can work (and is cheaper).

Downsize your enclosure, check your temps, wait a week and then offer a live small mouse.

[reggi-BP]

Okay, I'm having the same problem with mine that I got from lllreptile about 8weeks ago.......I've tried EVERYTHING, and he will not eat....I made his tank half the size, it's now a little smaller than a 10 gallon, maybe like a 10x10 square. His temps are absolutely perfect, I don't handle him at all, etc...and I've still had zero luck.

we most have got a snake from the same clutch im goining to try live this week have you tried live email me ill put it on your page

[hunter94]

He ate!!!!! Holy crap am I happy!!!!! Okay to help you out, this is what I did. I divided my 20 long into an approx. 10in x 10in square. Smaller than a 10 gallon. I just put him on aspen a couple days ago. Barely giving any floor space, I gave him two hides on the right, a humid hide, a cold hide, and a water dish. He has a UTH but I had a red bulb on to heat up the air on the warm side.

I had basically lost all hope he showed zero interest in live, frozen, in his tank, in a feeding tub, braining, tuna juice, blowdryer.... Last resort, I just decided well, I'm going to leave a small mouse in his house over night, whatever, if he's hungry maybe he'll eat it. It's a little too big for him, but you know what, I can't try anything else and I can't find live hoppers or fuzzies, or anything and nothing is working for almost 2 months.

I stuck a small live mouse in his tank, and laid down. I look up 20 minutes later, and it's dead and he's eating it!!! He has a big lump in his tummy but he freaking ate.

I would suggest trying something similar to my method, since it worked, and I'm sure we got snakes from the same clutch!
Good luck!!!

Ah, congratz! I see you took my advice on using Aspen to. Do you like using it?

[Lolo76]

Glad he finally ate for you!! Ball Pythons are notoriously picky, so this is something most of us deal with at some point... I had an adult who didn't eat for 9 months, but a frozen ASF finally did the trick for her. I usually feed live mice/rats to my BPs, but even those weren't doing it - so I guess she just wanted a taste of home (Africa). Anyway, congrats again, and I hope he continues feeding now that he's comfortable.

P.S. For future reference, I wouldn't recommend leaving a live mouse in overnight... luckily he took it in 20 minutes, but anything larger than a fuzzy mouse should be supervised when feeding live. Don't wanna get your snake all bitten up!

[AkHerps]

Ah, congratz! I see you took my advice on using Aspen to. Do you like using it?

I only worry about how messy it's going to be when he goes to the bathroom...

P.S. For future reference, I wouldn't recommend leaving a live mouse in overnight... Luckily he took it in 20 minutes, but anything larger than a fuzzy mouse should be supervised when feeding live. Don't wanna get your snake all bitten up!

Sorry my version of overnight is a little different than most. I'm an insomniac, so Petrie(thats my baby ball) was fed at like 4am. If I were to leave it in "overnight" it'd probably be if I was able to nap for an hour or so.

[Josh Emmons]

hi i have a ball python i've had him for 8 weeks he hasn't ate yet an now im starting to get worried
he's a baby snake about 17in
he has a 20gallon long tank with
repti-bark
2 hides, large water bowl
undertank heater
basking light or heat lamp what ever you call it
60 watt bulb plants trees everything it about 96 on hot side 83 on cool
he's a very active snake at night an a great pet but he just will not eat

i try to feed him a fuzzy ever Friday once a week but he just does nothing i wiggle it ive took him out of his enclosure to feed him ive even tried inside of his tank he just doesnt want it what doe i do pls

an i got it from lllreptile they tried to help bu no luck

i had this problem a year ago with my first snake artemis, took 2 months to get her to feed... your conditions are fine, and are at the moment nearly the same as mine. the best advice i can give you is that your snake WILL eat when it is ready to eat. for me, i got her to feed when i came back from a week and a half long vacation. if i where you, try to minimize the holding of your snake, and live feed. if you (like me) are nervous about the live feeds, you can pre kill the mice before you send it to your snake. i use a spoon and hit it hard, (that way it is still twitching) AAAAAAAANNNNNYYYYY way, to get your snake to feed will take time, and really not tooo much else. all my snakes have been on at least 2 hunger strikes. (except for my spider ball apollo. who has NEVER refused a meal) i hope this helps to you! P.S. to feed the pre killed mice dangle the mice above the snake about 3 inches away..

[Sandii Lee]

lm having same problem... My girl hasnt eaten for 8wks.. Do l need to be concerned.. She's about 6 yrs old. Stimson python...

[Kat1204]

ASF's or multimammates as they're known as over here got my 2yo girl eating again.

I also now feed her at night and if she doesn't strike and constrict I just drop feed and turn out the light.

She hasn't lost weight while fasting though, so wasn't worried. Notorious for fasting these BPs!!