Hi Lydia!

You're not coming across as stupid. You're coming across as someone who is used to burms. Ball pythons often aren't as ravenous as burms typically are. It takes them longer to settle into a new home. Ball pythons are also often prey imprinted. If you're offering them mice, try rats, and vice versa. Dehydration is something they will usually correct on their own if you give them a water bowl.

Some of them are very picky. I have one who thinks that f/t is of the devil and mice are nasty. The other two will eat anything in sight. Go figure....