Snake refuse F/T and live, what can I do?

[hunter94]

I have to disagree with all the post so far.

1) You should handle your python at least once every 2-3 days after purchasing him.

2) Try feeding in a separate cage at night and try only thawed mice and heat it up with a hair dryer.. Try feeding him once a week and if he does not take it than try live mice. I would not try every day one than the other.

3) Size of the cage make no sense... Python are born in the Wild and have an extremely large area where they are found. If size really was an issue I do not think they would have survived and they would be extinct ..

4) If your python refuses food after 4 weeks I would take him to an exotic vet and they may need to force feed him. Once they get older they can go much longer with food. Do not give up.. You snake will eat when it is ready. I have a captive breed python who is also picky and she goes 4 weeks at times without eating.

1.) All that would do is stress the snake out more.

2.) I have to disagree since he is not eating you want to feed him in his enclosure were he feels more secure. You don't think that moving the snake out of his cage to another enclosure while stressed wouldn't cause refusal of the food?

3.) Down sizing the cage with Ball Pythons that don't eat has worked before. Also I'm not sure if your aware of this but Ball Pythons live in tight burrows under ground in Africa and only really come out to eat and breed.

4.) Force Feeding I heard can be dangerous so if I heard the truth I wouldn't recommend this.

I also suggest you go do some more research on Ball Pythons before you start giving advice.