New BP not eating? Need ideas!

[blondiee411]

Another problem I have with him is when I do go in to feed him, he immediately curls into a ball. I let him relax and uncoil and go in his cage again and he coils up again. I've tried handling him once a day to make him used to human contact and nothing helps. Every time I go to feed him he wants nothing to do with me lol. My other bp eats like a pig. I was able to feed him the day I got him, no problems at all.

[Zincubus]

I'd leave him for a week or so with no contact at all , then try my method above .
Just wait until evening and wait until he's already in his hide THEN try dangling a warm mouse in front of the hide entrance . If he's going into shed mode you are better waiting until afterwards ...

[redshepherd]

Another problem I have with him is when I do go in to feed him, he immediately curls into a ball. I let him relax and uncoil and go in his cage again and he coils up again. I've tried handling him once a day to make him used to human contact and nothing helps. Every time I go to feed him he wants nothing to do with me lol. My other bp eats like a pig. I was able to feed him the day I got him, no problems at all.

It would be a good idea to post a picture of your setup, and we can critique it. Ball pythons, especially hatchlings, need to feel very hidden and secure for a few days in order to feel secure enough to eat/feel hungry. They need hides where they can hide themselves completely inside, without being seen. Also, I would avoid handling him at all, until he eats a meal for you. Handling him once a day/getting him "used to humans" is actually giving the opposite effect.

You can also just follow this already written step-by-step, it would make things much easier.

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

[Zincubus]

Keep us updated on progress !

[FlynnTheBP]

This method WORKS if done properly ...

A couple of mine will only strike feed from within their hides so I do as suggested in the above post and dangle the rodent in front of the hide's entrance - usually works but if it fails simply reheat the rodent with a hairdryer and immediately offer again whilst it's still warm , continue until it's grabbed ...
I always wait until evenings to feed as they're nocturnal of course .

Incidentally , if it shows no interest at all not even a tongue flicker maybe it's best to leave for a week .

You can also use the heat lamp (if you have one) on top of your snake's vivarium to quickly heat up the mouse. Of course don't do it for long, the mouse's stomach can actually explode. The same thing happens in the microwave, so never use it for warming rodents. Good luck with your picky eater OP!

[BPGator]

Redshepard asked the #1 question for this scenario - describe your setup. Your snake is only 3 months old and hasn't eat in a month. He's tiny. He needs a small area where he feels secure and he does not need to be handled at all until he's eating consistently. I know you want to hold him and play with him but that is stressing him out even more. Follow the links you were given and mimic that setup.


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[blondiee411]

I will post a picture of his setup tomorrow! He has a water bowl, one of those 1/2 log homes, and moss covering the entrance for comfort. I will try leaving him for a week but I'm a little worried since he hasn't eaten in a month and a half now. He definitely seems eager to eat but like I have stated before, he cowers whenever I even open his lid, let alone dangle a mouse in front of him.

[BPGator]

I will post a picture of his setup tomorrow! He has a water bowl, one of those 1/2 log homes, and moss covering the entrance for comfort. I will try leaving him for a week but I'm a little worried since he hasn't eaten in a month and a half now. He definitely seems eager to eat but like I have stated before, he cowers whenever I even open his lid, let alone dangle a mouse in front of him.

How big is the tank? Tiny snake needs tiny enclosure.
How are you heating it? Under tank heating pad with a thermostat is recommended.
The logs don't work well; they don't provide enough security. And you should have two hides - one on the cool side and one on the hot side.

Your best bet really is following the hatchling 101 link given previously.


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[rufretic]

I think you already stated your issue, your handling him too much and he is stressed out. New snakes need time to settle and should not be handled right away. Leave him alone for a week. Then if you have availability to live rat pinkies, I would try that to get him feeding again. Once he is feeding regularly you can switch him back to F/T. So leave him for a week, then at night drop a live pinkie in his enclosure without disturbing him, no lights on in cage or room and leave him alone. Go back and check in an hour. If he has come out of his hide but has not eaten it yet, leave him again, he should find it and eat it. If he has not come out of his hide then try dangling it right in front of his hide opening, without being seen if possible. If he still has not taken it, depending on how much he needs food, I would either wait another week and try again or if you think hes getting to the point of starving, a vet visit and looking into assisted feeding could be needed until you get him back on track. That is a last resort to save an animal though because it is very stressful for them and rarely ever needed.

[cletus]

Id set him up in a 6 qt tub like it says in that hatchling 101 link and just leave him be. Let him relax a bit. Once he isn't concentrating on being freaked out he will feel safe and secure and before you know it he will slamming rodents like a boss.