Ball python will not eat

[CALM Pythons]

If all else fails try a gerbil. In my experience it never fails. It's been awhile but it's been speculated that they are naturally inclined to them. In the wild balls eat something called jerboas, which is not a gerbil but it's been suggested this might be why. I've had to do it a few winter times with a couple balls and it worked every time until they were willing to take rats again. I'm a big proponent of this method.

Seems also a lot of people have success with braining rats or mice. Puncture the brain before presenting it.

Also some people say the same about ASF's.. Thats is something Balls eat in their natural habitat is what Ive read. The problem with this (once again I've heard) is that they then refuse plain old Rats after.. Once they taste the good life they dont want to go back... It was hard changing my Male over to Rats from Mice so I see how that can happen. I breed rats now and I'm going to try to get my hands on some ASF's at a show and try breeding those too.. They are better for size purposes as they dont outgrow being a feeder for Balls..
Last what does "Braining" have to do with going off feed? Are you just saying to try Fresh Kill vs F/T? I feed Fresh Kill only but I CO2 them and thats what most do unless they have Dry Ice and do a bunch to freeze there own all at once...

[The_Godfather]

Exposing brain material supposedly gets them to eat the rat or mouse. I don't think it matters if it's fresh kill or f/t.

I've never personally had any issues with switching back to rats from gerbils but I could easily see that happening. I've never actually had any luck with f/t and balls so I've always had to do live or fresh kill. I gave up even trying f/t when I only had balls because it was a waste of time and money.

[zina10]

Exposing brain material supposedly gets them to eat the rat or mouse. I don't think it matters if it's fresh kill or f/t.

I've never personally had any issues with switching back to rats from gerbils but I could easily see that happening. I've never actually had any luck with f/t and balls so I've always had to do live or fresh kill. I gave up even trying f/t when I only had balls because it was a waste of time and money.

Experiences can vary so greatly. I've always had great luck with FT. Even the Balls I've gotten shipped to me that used to be on live, took FT immediately, no problem, no hesitation. The rescues I had, most of them WC and sick, took a little longer. All of them ate nothing while they got well, then I HAD to give them Gerbils just to get them going and weight on them, eventually live rats, and then FT. I haven't had one that didn't eventually switch, LOL !!

One should do what works best. For one selves and the snakes. Ball Pythons sure can be frustrating in that regard. The hardest part for people is not to stress about it LOL