Ball Python Eating

[DingoJungleJag]

So i just got a Spider Ball python that i took from a friend because he was moving and couldnt take him with him. I have him in the exact same enclosure, i take him out and handle him just as often as the previous owner and i keep his enclosure the same temperature gradient. He moves from his cold hide to his hot hide, but i went to feed him yesterday about 9 days after his last feeding, a f/t adult mouse, which is what he was eating before (never had problems feeding him prior to bringing him home as i fed him for his last 2 feedings myself) but i tried feeding him and he wont take it, he reared up like he was going to strike and then he just ignored it, left it overnight (as he can be finicky and usually takes it if i leave it over night) but he still has not taken it.

Not sure if i should be worried? (Only reason im really worried is because my Carpet python is not eating either)

[Mangiapane85]

What's your husbandry like? Type of setup?


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[DingoJungleJag]

Hes currently in a 20L tank, he has a mix of zoo med forest floor and peat moss for substrate, kept at 60-70% humidity, he has a humid hide on the cold side and another hide on the hot side. the heat gradient is kept at 90 degrees hot side down to 80 on the cold during the day, and 80 degrees on the hot down to 72 on the cold at night. Like i said this would be his 3rd feeding since my friend bought him, and i have fed him everytime since he was purchased, he feed the first time extremely readily, the second time he would not take the adult mouse while he was being watched but left overnight he took the adult mouse. This time he did not take the adult mouse but hovered over it for quite some time, then retreated to his hot hide and did not take the food over night.

[Zincubus]

Next time you try feeding d/f .... Make sure the rodent is really warm the moment you wiggle it on front of him , if he refuses simply give the rat a quick ten-second blast with a hairdryer then offer it again immediately ...then repeat the procedure UNTIL he takes it . It may take just one go or it may take 5 or 6 attempts ...

Also a few of my Royals will only strike from within their hides so I wiggle the rat in front of the hide entrance and it works 100% .

[Mangiapane85]

So the downslide of feeding willingness is pointing to one thing in my opinion. The way you drop your temps at night. Keep your temps STEADY. 24 hours a day.

EDIT. Wait 5 days before trying to feed again.

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[DingoJungleJag]

Okay i will just start keeping his temp at his daytime temps? and try feeding him again next tuesday.

[Sauzo]

Well to start with, how old is this BP? This is the time a lot will go off feed. If he/she is at least a year old, I wouldn't worry too much as long as it isn't losing noticeable weight or acting weird. And also assuming you have all the husbandry right. You can try to offer it food every couple weeks but might be a waste since in your sig, it doesn't look like you got a garbage can to pawn it off on. My girl quits eating around Nov and starts back up around Mar/Apr. I offer her food every 2 weeks but I also got a bunch of other snakes who are more than happy to eat the rat if she doesn't want it lol.