Feeding Size for Baby Ball Python

[hollowlaughter]

Yep, taking it within the first week isn't common. Some will, but it's no cause for concern if they don't.

Some other tips since you're a beginner:

• Wait for the week to pass.
• Also do not handle during this week.
• Consider some husbandry changes to help stress if not met: cool side 80F-ish, hot side 90F-ish, 55% humidity, two matching hides, water source, cover options (greenery, pvc pipes, substrate to burrow in, cover enclosure sides, cover top with towel.)
• Optimally next feeding day, they should be less stressed.
• Thaw your prey item in the same room as the snake.
• Heat the thawed prey item with a blow dryer.
• (Usually, they show interest after a bit of this.)
• Heat until fur is reasonably dry.
• Heat head until it is warm to your touch (100F-ish).
• Offer heated FT to snake via tongs.
• First keep it still.
• Then if not struck, slowly sway side to side.
• Snake should follow it if interested, may strike.
• If still not striking, try grasping the prey by the neck.
• "Zombie Walk" it around (make it look alive).
• Move it close to their nose slowly, this may also prompt a strike.
• You may need to reheat a few times through this.
• If they strike, lightly tug on it. Some need this prompt to actually swallow it (it simulates how prey would struggle in the wild and helps them transition completely on FT, YMMV.)
• If none of this works, try leaving the prey item overnight again.

Hopefully food will be gone for you and it gets easier after the first successful feed. Lots of people recommend no handling until at least 2 successful feeds, or 4. Please remember this snake will be with you for 30 years and may simply need some time to settle in properly. BPs can be a lil fussy at times.