My baby ball python won't eat.

[redshepherd]

He finally ate and is doing so much better.

I did try to leave the thawed mouse for him to eat in case he was a shy eater but that didn't work.
His tongue was starting to lose color and i had to force feed him. I know some might not agree with that but i felt it was the only option, since he is still very young and can't go long without eating. It had already been a month that he hadn't eaten, and he had just shed when my boyfriend bought him.
I probably will never force feed him again since it's a lot of stress for him but I'm just really glad he's an active boy!
Thank you to everyone who helped

Force feeding unfortunately didn't solve the base issue you're having. There is a husbandry/setup reason that he is not eating, and it's a very common issue with new owners and baby ball pythons. The next time you offer, he is most likely still going to refuse.

It would be good if you could post a pic and describe the setup you have for him!

[Merriah]

Some babies are more difficult than others. My first three (they've been adopted out to kids in need) were not easy eaters. I feed in separate enclosures because the snakes work with kids, and I always want them to recognize that it's eating time when they go in the plastic bin. I actually think it helps. When they are home, it's general play time, and they will not mistake anything for food.
I just fed Mikey today (6 months). I put a hopper in his face and it took about 1 second for him to strike. He knows when he's in his bin, it's lunchtime! His brother Harvey (1 year) is also a quick eater, usually around 5-10 seconds. Your little guy will get better, and I know how stressful it is right away. Mikey was the size of my pinkie finger when I got him and it took about 3-4 feedings.

[Marzipan]

Force feeding unfortunately didn't solve the base issue you're having. There is a husbandry/setup reason that he is not eating, and it's a very common issue with new owners and baby ball pythons. The next time you offer, he is most likely still going to refuse.

It would be good if you could post a pic and describe the setup you have for him!

^^^

I also just want to add, you said he was an 'active boy' - sometimes activity isn't a good sign. Is he constantly pacing or moving in his cage? I've read that sometimes this means that they are stressed out and looking for ways to escape.

[Kaorte]

He finally ate and is doing so much better.

I did try to leave the thawed mouse for him to eat in case he was a shy eater but that didn't work.
His tongue was starting to lose color and i had to force feed him. I know some might not agree with that but i felt it was the only option, since he is still very young and can't go long without eating. It had already been a month that he hadn't eaten, and he had just shed when my boyfriend bought him.
I probably will never force feed him again since it's a lot of stress for him but I'm just really glad he's an active boy!
Thank you to everyone who helped

I think you are over reacting. Even a baby ball python not eating for a month is not a "danger danger must force feed moment".

You felt it was the only option because you have a new snake and the new snake worries. Everyone gets this feeling when they get their first snake.

I doubt you actually force fed this snake, most likely you assist fed.

Please let us help you fix your enclosure set up because that is the reason why your snake is not eating. "Force feeding" a pinky probably used up more of the snakes energy than it gained from the pinky. This snake needs to at least be on hopper mice.

Can you share some photos of the snake and setup? I'd be happy to offer my thoughts and suggestions.


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[Kaorte]

Some babies are more difficult than others. My first three (they've been adopted out to kids in need) were not easy eaters. I feed in separate enclosures because the snakes work with kids, and I always want them to recognize that it's eating time when they go in the plastic bin. I actually think it helps. When they are home, it's general play time, and they will not mistake anything for food.
I just fed Mikey today (6 months). I put a hopper in his face and it took about 1 second for him to strike. He knows when he's in his bin, it's lunchtime! His brother Harvey (1 year) is also a quick eater, usually around 5-10 seconds. Your little guy will get better, and I know how stressful it is right away. Mikey was the size of my pinkie finger when I got him and it took about 3-4 feedings.

Feeding in a separate enclosure does nothing but stress these shy animals out. Feed in the home enclosure. They will not mistake you for food. This is a very common myth. For a snake like the OPs, who sounds extremely stressed, feeding in a separate enclosure will only prolong the feeding issue.

He knows it's feeding time because he can smell the food. He knows it's handling time because he doesn't smell food, he smells a human.


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[naydusa]

[naydusa]

I'm to tying to figure out how to post pictures on this thread

[CALM Pythons]

I'm to tying to figure out how to post pictures on this thread

You have to upload them to a pic site and post the image link.

No disrespect but if your Force feeding a snake after missing a month of feeding you dont know what your doing. Please do research. Every week newbies are posting about their new snakes dying and every case is because they have done things that stressed the life right out of these Ball Pythons. One Google search tells they go months and months without eating.

[Hannahshissyfix]

Yes, please don't add unnecessary stress by feeding in a seperate container. It does nothing positive. How are you offering the food? Try to at night after lights have been off for a while and the room empty, then sneak it in while trying to stay out of sight. I also think something with its habitat isn't up to par and that's why it's not eating so triple check everything is in correct ranges.

[naydusa]

I did google what to do and what could be wrong. I read that young ball pythons shouldn't go long without eating.
It's my first time with a picky ball python. My first was a very good eater, that's why I was panicking.
But to clarify, I did research my options before i did it.