I know that this has been addressed before but. . . picky eater

[Rodinosaur]

Howdy, I've been lurking for some time but this is my first post.

I have two ball pythons, one regular that's not even a year old, and a two year black eyed lucy superfire (Taffy) that I bought on August 1st. Taffy was shipped to me from Iowa overnight, and was super lovely and docile as soon as I took him out of the box. However, he isn't too keen on eating. I assumed he was just stressed from getting shipped, but it's October and I've only gotten him to eat twice. I've tried everything short of live feeding - he shies away from f/t when I offer it to him, so I figure live wouldn't go over too well. I only handle him twice a week, and for only about 15 minutes at a time to lower stress.

In his enclosure I have changed the hides so that he feels more secure. Generally his warm side is about 90, his cold side about 80. Ambient temperature is around 75. Humidity around 60%. It tends to fluctuate with the room temperature, which I don't have much control over. As the temperatures have been lowering as we get into fall, the temperatures in his tank started dropping, so I've been taking measures to compensate for that. I had already covered the mesh lid with tin foil to prevent heat from escaping, but I figured I'd try doing that with the back and sides of the tank as well. At the very least, having 3 sides covered could help him feel more secure.

I know that adult ball pythons can survive months without eating, but I like to think I'm an attentive and caring pet owner, so I'd like to do everything I can.

Here's a picture of Taffy
http://imgur.com/a/Wuoxh

Here's a picture of his enclosure
http://imgur.com/a/6lnAL


Note: I couldn't figure out how to embed the image, so I just posted imgur links.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Sometimes (actually in the majority of cases) blocking out the sides and furnishing the enclosure is just not enough.

An hatchling or juvy should be voracious if it is not it is usually because the husbandry is not working out.

I would downsize the enclosure to a 6 or 12 quarts tub depending on the animal until he becomes a consistent feeder.

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[Rodinosaur]

Sometimes (actually in the majority of cases) blocking out the sides and furnishing the enclosure is just not enough.

An hatchling or juvy should be voracious if it is not it is usually because the husbandry is not working out.

I would downsize the enclosure to a 6 or 12 quarts tub depending on the animal until he becomes a consistent feeder.

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Thanks for the response!

I saw your advice on the other threads but wasn't sure if it would apply as Taffy is two years old, but new to me.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

What is his weight?

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[Rodinosaur]

Around 750 g

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Around 750 g

I would still try to downsize and see if it affect his feeding habits, I usually keep young males that size in smaller enclosure starting around this time of the year to keep them eating throughout the cooler months/breeding season.

Try and see how it goes.

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[Rodinosaur]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot!