Feeding help needed BADLY

[Bogertophis]

I can sure understand your frustration...I wish that everyone (stores, books, etc) would stop saying that "ball pythons are great beginner snakes", as they are rather
complicated. They have this great reputation because they stay a nice size (not too big), they are pretty, & mostly, because they are docile. But sadly, there is a LOT
more to it than that...they can be very picky eaters, & as adults (especially) they often decide to fast for a while (making their owners nervous & having to waste food).
They also need higher temperatures & humidity than many other snakes, & may stress out when handled, or if their housing isn't just right (so they feel "secure").

When you care so much about a pet, it's impossible not to stress out when it doesn't go as planned, but giving us more info about his cage/temps. would help, & as Craig
suggested, only offer him food when he's in his "home"...preferably at night...preferably only when he's in his hide & peeking out of it, not when he's cruising the cage.

BPs are ambush-predators, so they like to pounce on prey that seems to be cluelessly passing by them, not too active or coming toward them boldly, and never feed a
snake in a separate container, since the handling you do can easily disrupt their feeding instincts. This is because the only thing that picks up a snake in the wild is normally
a predator that's going to eat them...so when you pick up your BP to move him into a tub, he's now fearful instead of focused on hunger. I have a hunch that part of the
reason he's not eating is that you've been handling him more than he feels comfortable with. All snakes are basically wild animals (even though captive-bred), meaning
they rely on their instincts. Many snakes tolerate handling better than BPs do without going off food, but because BPs are so docile, it's easy to think they are enjoying
your company more than they really are. Snakes (& especially ball pythons) require a slightly different definition of "pet": because they are instinctive creatures, it is US
that has to adapt to their needs first, not the other way around (like with domestic animals). If you can do that, you'll succeed, at least better than you have been.