Didn't eat first meal

[CheckersBabe]

Hey guys it's me again.
I'm assuming she's just stressed out cuz she didn't eat her meal. I was really hoping she would but she won't even look at it.
What should I do? Leave it in there till she eats it? Or take it out and re-freeze it? Or throw it out?
And if I take it out, when do I try again!?

Still hopeful!

[Python-77]

How long have you had her? If you just got her a day or so she is still going to be stressed from the move, typicaly I will wait 7 days before I attemped my first feed and a min of 5 days before a reattempt. I would leave it in the cage with her overnight she may grab it during the evening when she is up and about. If not take it out in the morning and discard it. Keep us updated, remember try to limit handling until you get a few good meals into her.

[CheckersBabe]

The breeder asked me to try and feed her today cuz she hadn't been fed in a while.. I just got her this past weekend and I haven't handled her since she was put in the cage. I'll leave it in overnight as you suggested and if she hasn't eaten it by morning I'll throw it out and try it again in a few days.

I was told not to handle her for a week to 2 weeks.. and when I do start to do it for few minutes at a time and work my way up from there. Is this right?
You guys are all amazing on here. Thank you TONS

[Python-77]

Thats about right on the handling, but as you have had a her refuse food (if she doesnt take it tonight), I would wait until you get atleast 2 solid meals in her belly first then work on the handling.

[jglass38]

I would agree with Sean on this. Give her some time. The change of environment is stressful. As long as the rat isn't gamey yet, you can refreeze. I have done it with no ill effects. She might very well eat at night once its dark and quiet though. Good luck!
J

[Adam_Wysocki]

Why hadn't she eaten for a while when she was with the breeder? That is a major red flag.

Waiting 2 weeks is the general rule for handling, but if she isn't eating, handling could make it more difficult ... I would wait until she's eaten two meals before you handle her just to be safe.

2 reasons why hatchling ball pythons typically refuse food ... temps and stress caused by lack of security. Make sure your temps are reading 82-84 on one side of the cage and 92-94 on the other with a good digital thermometer (those plastic "dials" and peel and stick "strips" are garbage). Also make sure she has plenty of small tight places to hide. Ball pythons like hides that touch them on all sides of their bodies. Hides that are "roomy" $uck for ball pythons. One trick that you may need to try once you get your temps right is crumpling up a bunch of newspaper and filling the cage with it to give her the security she needs to take her first meal with you.

Talk to the person you got her from and find out what she was eating for them and why she hadn't eaten for "a while" .... sounds like you might have a rough road ahead.

-adam