How to make him eat

[DAVIDOFF]

Hi
New to this hobby , but my ball python has finished shedding ... All his coat look very bright as new ... amazing really. My only problem is that he has been refusing to eat since i got him. I have asked the pet store were i got it from and its a wild caught one. So i am bit confused how to drive him to eat a live mouse ?Any one could help please.
Also is there a place online were i could get all the necessary cage stuff supplied and shipped.
Thank you for your support

[rabernet]

David,

How about describing your set-up (temps, humidity, size, number of hides, how you're measuring temps) or even better, posting a picture of it.

Are you trying to feed in your enclosure or in a separate one?

How often have you been handling him?

[DAVIDOFF]

Hi ,
Currenlty i am trying to get all my stuff right , i have put the snake in a plactis rubbermaid tank with paper at the bottom , later will move him into his new glass tank . But remember i live in the Middel east , switching the AC off in any room will raise the temperature up to 45 degrees.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Currenlty i am trying to get all my stuff right

Well as long as your BP does not have the optimal setup he will likely not eat

Make sure your temps in the enclosure are 32.5-34.5 C on the warm side and 27-29 C on the cool side

Check your humidity and make sure it is between 50%-60%

Make sure you are using a digital thermometer/hygrometer to have an accurate reading.

Make sure the enclosure is in a low traffic area.

Make sure your hides are tight enough so your BP can snug in, all sides must be touching your BP's body (Avoid log hides as they do not really provide enough security for a BP).

If you handle your BP often, try to limit handling (Too much handling can cause stress).

Once everything is perfect make sure you give him a week to acclimate with no handling before offering food again.

will move him into his new glass tank

Do not move him in a glass enclosure, leave him in the plastic tub until he eats on a regular basis for you.

[DAVIDOFF]

Hi Deborah ,
Actually in the Plastic box he has refused to eat , will try to get all my stuff an then see if he will eat or not. Again once out of the box he is very very active and his tongue keeps smelling the air constantly...
Is that a good sign

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Your BP should be left alone not handling no rooming around until he eats successfully for you, I know it is hard but it is important.

When you talk about plastic box is that where you house him or feed him?

If this is where you house him keep it this way, it is very important to provide maximum security especially with young BP.

Now if you use this to feed him I would suggest that you feed him in his enclosure to avoid the stress caused by handling him prior to eat.

And again make sure you husbandry is optimal proper temps, humidity tight enclosure tight hides etc

Hi Deborah ,
Actually in the Plastic box he has refused to eat , will try to get all my stuff an then see if he will eat or not. Again once out of the box he is very very active and his tongue keeps smelling the air constantly...
Is that a good sign