Baby Ball Python Finally Ate!

[ATTFighter]

I already made a thread showing my first ball python! He is a super pastel male. However, I have had him for a week now and could not get him to eat.

I tried F/T Rat Pups and F/T Rat Pinky and had no luck =(. He would completely ignore it.

So today I finally went and got a LIVE hopper mouse which I did NOT want to do but I know its crucial for hatchlings to eat. I waved it in front of him with tongs and he snatched it up and ate it right away.

So now comes the question.... am I going to have a problem eater when it comes to F/T? Or maybe he still only wants live because hes a baby and ONLY WEIGHS 65 GRAMS? Maybe he is still used to mice and not rats because they told me they fed him mouse hoppers since he was born.

When should i try again with F/T and should i stick to mouse hoppers? Again like I said he only weighs 65 grams.



thanks. I love him though hes my first ball python and hes beautiful.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

I'd try feeding him f/t rat pups weekly. Until he eats, I'd also leave him alone (don't play with him). I'd try this four weeks in a row.

[ATTFighter]

So try F/T rat pup and if he does not eat it feed him a live mouse hopper again right? Or are you saying just keep offering him F/T rat pups until he takes it and don't give him anything else? I was worried to do that because hes a hatchling and does not weigh a lot and I know food is crucial for them at these stages to grow and be healthy.

[MisssMariee]

I'm no expert, I don't know much, but I would keep offering what he took until he's gotten a few feedings in him, then you can take the time to switch him over so he's got a few good meals under him. Wait until he's eating them reliably for you before attempting to swap

[Rickys_Reptiles]

I am saying exactly that, don't feed him anything else. If he refuses to eat ft 4 weeks in a row, then feed him a live rat pup. Then, offer him f/t only, again, for 4 more weeks.

All my bp's switch over to f/t, I'm sure yours will also. They dont need to eat every single week.

[ATTFighter]

Ok, I have one frozen rat pup left. I think I might try a live rat pup next week to see if he will even go for a rat and than the following week try the F/T rat pup and only offer his F/T from there. I don't want to give him to many changes all at once because I have only had him for a week so he is probably still getting used to his enclosure. I appreciate the tips, i am at least happily he ate that's a good start.