Is my baby ball python going to starve himself??!

[Bogertophis]

I recently struggled with a couple hatchlings that wouldn't eat and for me it was the live vs. f/t that solved the issue. It was very difficult to find live mice but I was able to and that made all the difference. I wish I could've had someone tell me in a kind way that live can be THAT important. Fortunately it only took 2 live feedings to get my two on track and the next feeding they flawlessly switched to f/t so don't feel like if you do feed live it'll have to be forever. So as others have said, follow the hatchling care and husbandry advice but also if possible consider live since it was THE missing piece in my case. Good luck!

I agree.

While I've never raised BPs, I've raised many other kinds of hatchlings & neonates, and yes! they are programmed by "nature" to seek live wiggling prey...NOT 'roadkill'.
So while some may switch quickly & easily, others cling to their instincts...it's up to us, their keepers & benefactors, to realize & do what they need to get a start in life.

It's not easy to make dead prey seem alive...many of us forget how hard it was when we were new to this because we've been using the "tricks" for so long... It can
be done, but for the sake of the snake, I'd rather they keep their energy up by eating a few live, & deal with switching them later. A snake that has never fed doesn't
"know" what it's like to feel "full"...once they eat a time or two, their appetite improves...they instinctively want to eat more & they more easily accept f/t or fresh killed.