ball python not eating

[Bogertophis]

UPDATE

I tried feeding him again 2 days ago. He missed the rat so I went to get it and he struck at my hand and wrapped himself around my hand. He was stuck on me for a couple minutes until he realized it wasn’t a rat he was biting. Ever since then he’s become very stressed and wont come out of a ball. I tried feeding him today and he just hid away when I put the food in there and he won’t eat again.

Well obviously he WANTED to eat the other day...but you blew it by getting in the way (use feeding tongs, or longer ones if you already were) & now his confidence is a bit shaken. You are stressing him MORE by offering too soon...when something like this happens (or any time a snake refuses a meal), wait at least a week before offering again. They need time to get back on track...at BPs do. It's not always true of all snakes, btw, but BPs "wrote the book" on how to frustrate their keepers.

And next time make sure all conditions are favorable before you offer...such as evening hours, dim lighting, BP in hide & peeking out, properly thawed prey- warmed to entice. And use tongs! Keep your hands out of his range: BPs use their heat sensing pits to find prey, & your hand was probably warmer than his prey, so that's what he went for. This was your mistake more than his.