Feeding help needed BADLY

[Cheesenugget]

You might of just got a mean snake, sometimes that happens. I would suggest keeping his handling to a minimum until he starts eating normally or chills out. I would honestly suggest cleaning your room really well too and washing your hands and drying them every time before you handle him. It’s quite possible your BP smells a rabbit on you or constantly smells it in your room. Having another animals sent around could stress it out. The MOST important thing you can do is not stress, you should look into anxiety medicine if your anxiety is that bad, mine is and I’m medicated for it that’s why I’m suggesting that to you. BP are weird eaters but they can go a whole hell of a lot of time without food. The first time my ball python went on hunger strike the internet was not around like this and it scared me but everything turned around, he did not touch food for 6 months and he was still a juvenile. I literally did nothing different other than just leave him alone a little more then he started eating like normal. Just be hopeful and I’m sure it will for you to. LASTLY I would highly highly suggest against taking your snake anywhere and force feeding it unless a experienced vet who handles exotic animals tells you so. Also if your snake ends up staying that tempered you could always go to Pet-Co and see about their return policy and try your chances with another ball python.

EDIT: your anxiety and stress could be sensed by the snake in turn stressing it out further (who knows) I’m just assuming so try to stay calm when your around it. At least if it benefits anyone it would still benefit you.


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I have a rabbit who lives in the same room as my ball python and 2 other snakes. My dogs sleep in the bedroom at night with the bunny. One of my cats love to lounge around the room for a few hours each day.

None of the animals scent caused any behavioral issues with any of my snakes.

They acted no differently than the ones outside of the bedroom. They still hunger for food when it is feeding day, and hangs out just fine when it is not feeding day. I don't wash my hands after grooming my bunny and then handle my snakes. Bunnies, at least to our noses, have no smell. They should not smell at all. Mice or rats smell. Secondly, I'm sure snakes know the difference in smell between a bunny and a mouse. I know that they can tell which is a rat or mouse when I offer both to my woma who eats both but reacts hesitantly toward the rat and strikes within seconds for the mouse.

I agree downsizing your enclosure may help. I am not sure what is available around your area but tubs or plastic containers are usually more affordable than glass tanks. Drill some holes and you are good to go.

Lastly, I have anxiety too myself. Some days are worse than others but nowhere near the scope where it is interfering with my day to day life, but it creeps close that edge. So I get it, many of us do. I felt the same way when mine did not eat either. Picky eaters require a lot of patience on the owners part. If it has become too much for you, I would not hold it against you to take your snake back to the store and get an easier snake to work with (ie cornsnakes), but you should still have some time to remedy this situation. I assure you that your snake will eat when all things go right for him. It is on his terms, and you have to help him get there. Do what you can with what you have.