Quote Originally Posted by Drakko View Post
I brought my new ball python, Fafnir, home last week. He ate his first thawed mouse on Thursday (he was eating live before) but I had to leave the dead mouse in his hide for almost 24 hours.

Now I'm trying to get him to eat from tongs. I got him to the point where he continously strikes at the mouse, but he dosn't 'finish it off'. After two hours of this he started hissing and curling up, so I left the mouse in his cage and gave up for the night.

Is it normal for some BPs to eat mice left in the tank? Am I doing something wrong?
Hissing isnt a great sign. As far as I know, snakes do this when scared. You do not want to scare the snake with a food item as this can condition them to not take the item at all. You are supposed to dangle lightly, and if it doesnt take you can lie it with them for 30-40 mins (or overnight if you wish--> if its in the tank). If the food item is not eaten, try again on your next regular feeding.