Underweight? Not eating

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I started researching ball pythons late October. By mid November I had a the tank completely set up. November 28th I was ready to go to PetsSmart to buy a pastel. I decided to look on Craigslist to see if I could rehome a BP. I found an owner selling a young Enchi Pastel. I met with the owner, asked about mites, health, shed, behavior and feeding. Everything seemed perfect, my only concern he mentioned was not eating. The previous owner said he would only eat 1 F/T ever 2 weeks.

when I brought him home I placed him in his tank and left him alone for 5 days. His tank was covered with construction paper on all 4 sides. The 6th day I handled him and he seemed to do very well. The next day attempted to feed him in the bin the previous owner kept him in. I dimmed the lights and dangled a F/T fuzzy in front of him. He was completely uninterested. Through the next week I handled him 4 times. The following week we tried feeding again. I even bought a live mouse to try scenting the F/T but he had no interest.

A week later I decided to force feed. He was very reluctant but it was a success feed and he passed it 2 days later. The following week I attempted to feed again and he snapped at the dangling F/T fuzzy but didn't latch and he had no interest the rest of the night. I left it with him overnight and nothing.

I'm not sure how old he is but he is 2 feet long. The first time force feeding him he weighed 208 grams in 2 weeks he dropped down 8 grams.

He's in a 40 gallon tank. Warm and cold sides with identical hides on each side. Cool is between 78-83 degrees F, 50% Humidity. Warm side is between 88-93 F, 50-60% Humidity. Heated with an UTH mat regulated by an electric thermostat. The thermostat also has a probe which is underneath of the aspen bedding under his warm hide. I also have a heat lamp with I use as supplemental heat. I have a towel on top of the mesh top to regulate humidity. I have a lot of foliage and vines which he enjoys climbing on and resting on.

He he seems to be happy... I'm just very concerned with this size and lack of eating. Please help with any suggestions or comments. I am new to the BP world and have read a ton of articles, forums and threads but I can't get a solid answer for this situation.

thank you!

8 Grams is nothing however I highlighted your issue, your enclosure is for a full grown adult not an hatching, downsize to a 10 gallon or 15 quarts tub, limit your handling and your animal will resume feeding and or be more consistent.

At that size the animal should be voracious, if it's not than their is husbandry issue.