Juvenile Ball Python not eating?

[Karhoot]

Hello all again! I purchased a ball python from Petco about 2 weeks ago. He is about 16-18" in size, and I've been attempting to feed him hoppers, but it seems as though he is completely uninterested in them. Is this normal? How long should it go without eating before I get worried? This is my first ball python, I have done my research, but unfortunately this is stumping me. Any professional help please!
(P.S. I am feeding him outside of his holding tank [20 gal with lighting fixture as well as accessories])

[Crowfingers]

Petco reptiles are often underfed and come stressed due to being in the store prior to you purchasing them. Some petco snakes also have parasites such as mites (watch for soaking in water bowl or internal parasites that can only be found by doing a fecal exam at a vet). I know that a few people really recommend feeding in a different container, but this can stress your little one even more. Try and get a weight on him and feed prey that is 10-15% of his body weight every 5-7days once he is eating.

1st make sure he feels super secure, cover three of the sides of the tank with dark construction paper, you can even cover most of the front leaving a viewing window if you want. Next make sure your hides are the right size, temps and humidity are spot on, your thermostat is well regulated, and everything in quiet in the room he's in. If all of that is ok and done, put the hopper mouse in his cage at night and leave him be. If it is a live hopper watch from a distance, but it should not be old enough to hurt your snake. Give it some time - an hour or two to see if he eats. Make sure the room is dark and you're not moving around a lot. If the mouse is frozen, thaw it out and warm it up to "mouse body temperature (102*F)". Once it is warm - not hot/cooked - put it in front of what ever hide your snake is in and go to bed. Leave it in his cage all night. Throw it away if he has not eaten by morning.

Don't handle him until he had eaten 5-7 times in a row for you. Most box-store snakes are fairly young, so missing weeks of meals can really impact them more than it would an adult. You want him eating as soon as possible. If any of the more experienced people have more advise I'd follow that too.

[Aste88]

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

Really good how-to for hatchling on the forum.