Mike, I can understand your worry. I think what your main problem most likely is, is that the wee one is very overwhelmed by such a large enclosure. With ball pythos, smaller really is better. I set up my babies in 15 quart tubs with very small tight hides, that might be something you may want to consider doing to get him feeling more secure and eating again on his own for you.


Also, I'd try to keep your temps consistent 24 hours a day if you can - 92-94 on the warm side, 82-84 on the cool side.

The detriment to assist feeding is that you could be adding un-needed stress to them.

Also, you didn't mention, but are the two balls set up in their own enclosures? If not, that can also be a contributing factor to his not eating, the dominated snake (the one being cuddled) is too stressed to eat.

Here's how my babies are set up:

The heating pad in this picture was temporary until my flexwatt order came in - should only be used temporarily if at all, since they are not designed for heating reptile enclosures. Binder clips from Office Depot secure the lid, and a digital thermometer/hygrometer from Walmart for $12 measures temps and humidity:


Those tubs came from Dollar General - I think they were $3. I soldered ventilation holes with a $10 solder wand from Walmart

Here's an example of the hides - shortly after this picture was taken, the green box hide was replaced with an identical plastic saucer hide. I got these from Walmart for $.47 each and soldered an entrance in them:


There's a baby in there - about 80 grams in the picture:




This girl ate every week for me after her 1 week of acclimation in this set-up. This is her now:



Let us know if you have any additional questions - and good luck with him!