Feeding problem

[Freddi.w]

I have had my adult male ball python since January 25, 2015. I left him alone for 5 days in his cage and then I had to fill up his water bowl and I handeled him quickly. I got him on a Sunday and he ate the Friday before. I waited until the next Monday, February 2, 2015. He wouldn't eat I tried all the methods. I heated the small rat under a heat lamp, I tried feeding Him in his cage first and then in a small box. I tried to move it around like it was alive and I also tried to just leave it. So I waited again until, today to feed him so he could build up his appetite. I tried feeding him and he wouldn't eat. When the rat touched him, he would rub his head on the papertowel, like the rat was dirty and he wiped it off. I even tried to feed him at night like it says to do. Is he not eating because it's winter and stuff, it doesn't look like his going into shed, or is something wrong? He hasn't eaten in 4 weeks. Help me

[tbowman]

Relax. He may just be getting used to his new home. Bps are naturally shy snakes and if he feels scared he's not going to eat.

It sounds like there's been to much commotion around him. Leave him alone other than changing the water every day or two. Offer food once a week until he takes. If he previously ate live that is a route you could take.

Feeding in a separate enclosure will make him less likely to eat IMO

It is breeding season and it's not uncommon for mature males to go off of food this time of year.

[Freddi.w]

The place I got him says all the ball pythons in that cage unit fed on frozen thawed every 2 weeks and I asked if he was a good feeder and they said yes. I'll keep trying and not handle him. Thanks for your help, I tend to worry a lot oh and I shouldn't like downsize his rat size right?

[Daigga]

No worries about him skipping food, ball pythons areally notoriously fussy eaters. Stick to trying one method of feeding per week, trying multiple ways is only going to make each method less likely to work. If he doesn't take the rat when you wiggle in in front of him, leave it in with him overnight and toss it in the morning if he hasn't eaten it. He'll be hungry eventually, but don't be surprised if it takes him a few weeks or even a month or two before he decides he wants the rat.