My baby ball python won't eat.

[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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk