Hungry and afraid!

[kitedemon]

Babies in my experience rarely refuse meals. It is also odd of a baby not to accept next to anything feeder wise live of F/T. I don't think that is the issue, I would look to the husbandry more closely.

Can you describe exactly how and where you are taking the temps. What the heating sources are and where they are?

Maybe there is some other reason why the little fellow is refusing.

[rubberduck]

Babies in my experience rarely refuse meals. It is also odd of a baby not to accept next to anything feeder wise live of F/T. I don't think that is the issue, I would look to the husbandry more closely.

Can you describe exactly how and where you are taking the temps. What the heating sources are and where they are?

Maybe there is some other reason why the little fellow is refusing.

In my experience too...some are not trash bins but at least always eat! He is housed in something like this (which i think is brilliant for temperatures).It's approx 3x2x1 (a bit less than that 1x0,6x0,3m). It is working with heatpads a bit smaller than the half on the roof (but you also have the heatpad from the compartment under it) so it's like every compartment is heated with belly heat and from above. I have a dimming thermostat who is controlling all 4 heat set at 88. My laser gun is giving me readings of 88 on top of the mulch and 90-92 on top of the pvc (above the heatpad). I have digital thermometers/hygrometers on the wall but check the temps every couple of days.

I used to have him in a glass cage a bit smaller but i had problems with the temps and the humidity. Every compartment is crammed with 2 identical hides (in his case the medium exo terra), a log, some thin branches for climbing and big pieces of cork bark). I had him on coco and then changed to corrugated paper. He ate for a couple of times but then stopped so i thought i would try mulch (his breeder had him in a rack with aspen).


I handle him once or twice a week for a couple of minutes (he doesn't seem too mind that much nor is he squirmy). He spends 90% of the time in his warm hide and cruises every night his cage. No other snake has any problems...it's just him. I check on him and don't see any signs of RI or other medical issues; he's whiter than ever and had a perfect shed 6 days ago).

[hungba]

You are worrying too much and trying too many different things too often. This often makes them LESS willing to eat. Unless there is any visible sign of illness (slightly thin doesn't count), just leave it alone (no handling for now), skip a week, and try again the way you did it when he was eating (same colored rats etc. Yes, go buy some.)

It is good that you care for your snake so much. But sometimes too much compunds the problem.

[rubberduck]

You are worrying too much and trying too many different things too often. This often makes them LESS willing to eat. Unless there is any visible sign of illness (slightly thin doesn't count), just leave it alone (no handling for now), skip a week, and try again the way you did it when he was eating (same colored rats etc. Yes, go buy some.)

It is good that you care for your snake so much. But sometimes too much compunds the problem.

maybe it's my lack of experience with feeding problems but i really want to see him thrive. I'm not a breeder and will never be. I just want to care for my pets the best way. As i said what really bothers me is not the waisted rats or the missed feedings. It's the problem behind it, which has to do with me probably. I'm doing something wrong and i can't seem to realize what it is.

at his age and this weight and at this time of the year i don't think there's a reason why he wouldn't eat if it wasn't for something that bothers him.

[rubberduck]

So i called everyone and in Germany is indeed strongly forbidden to sell baby animals. I think i have to keep trying with frozen.

[M.P.C]

Your worrying your self for what seems like normal behavior... balls go off feed randomly for no reason at all for random periods of time... all your husbendry seems on point, just have some patience and relax, when hes ready to eat again he will

[M.P.C]

There is no set time frame for when ball pythons should be eating or when they should go off feed, especially in captivity they can eat one week go off feed the next 2 and eat again on the 4th, just have some patience with the little guy

[hungba]

I've been trying to tell you what you are doing wrong, as it is obvious. It seems you are not listening.

Here is what you can do that will have the highest chance of getting him to eat again as soon ad possible, in easy 1,2,3 steps:

1) Don't try anything. Don't try live, don't change substrates, don't call everyone in Germany, don't handle him, don't dip stuff in chicken broth or tuna juice... DON'T DO ANYTHING! Just minimal cleaning and water changes, and leave the poor snake alone.
2) Skip a feeding, DO NOT EVEN TRY TO FEED HIM. Then the next week, offer food the way you did before, same color/size prey when he was eating.
3)If he doesn't eat, repeat.

If you follow these steps, maybe your snake will eat again. If you don't, he most likely won't. This is because it seems from your posts that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with your snake.

[rubberduck]

I've been trying to tell you what you are doing wrong, as it is obvious. It seems you are not listening.

Here is what you can do that will have the highest chance of getting him to eat again as soon ad possible, in easy 1,2,3 steps:

1) Don't try anything. Don't try live, don't change substrates, don't call everyone in Germany, don't handle him, don't dip stuff in chicken broth or tuna juice... DON'T DO ANYTHING! Just minimal cleaning and water changes, and leave the poor snake alone.
2) Skip a feeding, DO NOT EVEN TRY TO FEED HIM. Then the next week, offer food the way you did before, same color/size prey when he was eating.
3)If he doesn't eat, repeat.

If you follow these steps, maybe your snake will eat again. If you don't, he most likely won't. This is because it seems from your posts that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with your snake.

I'm listening and I'm grateful for any input. really

I wish i was less paranoid and not blaming myself.

[JoshSloane]

BPs are often nutcases. Totally normal. I agree to stop trying to change so much and just let him be. Maintain appropriate conditions and have plenty of water available. He will go back on feed when he is ready.

I love BPs but these issues are what drove me to focus on boas the last couple years. Evolution will kick in and your guy will pound down a rat soon. Try to stay calm.