Hey everyone, first post here! I just got my first ball python a bit over a week ago. They told me at the pet store she's about two months old. I've wanted a snake for a long time and she's perfect and seems to be settling in great, except I've had some problems feeding her.

Last night when I tried to feed her, when she struck at the mouse, I flinched so badly I dropped it and caused her to miss. This happened three times! It's not that I'm scared of being bitten (I'm using tongs and have no fear whatsoever of snakes), it's the suddenness of the movement that made me jump. I've always had a really extreme startle reflex (I will jump at pretty much anything), and it doesn't help that she was wobbly enough I'm not sure she would have hit it anyway. She seemed to lose interest after I caused her to miss a few times, and I left the mouse in her tank overnight, but she didn't take it. I decided to try leaving her and a mouse in a paper bag overnight tonight to see if she will take it that way, but she just doesn't seem interested if it's not moving. I think she might only be interested in taking it if I do the zombie dance with it.

I honestly feel really frustrated with myself! I know that she ate not too long before I got her because I found feces in her tank, but she's on the skinny side so I was already stressed about getting her to eat. Does anyone else have problems with flinching when trying to feed? Is that something that goes away with time? My hope is that, as I get more used to how she looks when she's about to strike, it won't surprise me so much. I'd love to hear any tips that you all might have. I'm worried I'm going to be a terrible owner for her because I have this stupidly overactive reflex. Is there a particular way of holding the mouse with the tongs that might help her grab onto it more securely even if I do flinch and drop it?

Related question, if she doesn't eat the mouse tonight, should I wait a week before I try feeding her again? I know to wait a week for refused feedings but I know she's hungry, so I wanted to be sure.

Thanks so much for any help or advice!