Feeding problems with ball python

[johnwohl]

Hi all, I'm new here and I have a problem with my ball, his name is Royale. I got him from Pro Exotics with a sheet that said he was fed about a week before and that he eats live rats. He wouldn't eat until about 5 weeks after we got him and now he won't eat again. So he's only been fed twice in a span of about 3 months! He comes out and smells the rat and is curious about it, but shows no interest in devouring it. The one time he did feed for me it was very fast. He is not loosing weight, he sheds normally, and he is deficating still.
Am I just worrying too much and need to give him more time?

[bonheki]

hmm well maybe hes just not hungry try about everyday leave the rat inside for hour then take it out and is he eating rats or mice? pinkies fuzzies hoppers or small rats? if the rat is small leave it inside if its big watch him while thr rat is inside i feed my snake live food never had a problem also try takeing him ot of the cage and feed him outside thats what i do

[SoundUnsleep]

How old is Royale? What size container is he in, what's the temperature and humidity?

[Enve]

Hows your tank setup? Size, temps on hot and cool sides, what kind of heat (heat lamp, UTH) humidity, hides substrate etc... If your snake doesn't feel comfortable in his/her surroundings it might go on a hunger strike.

[johnwohl]

I've been avoiding keeping rats as I cant care for something that im condemning to death, but maybe i'll have to. He was a year old when I got him and he eats full size rats. he is fed in his cage, the feeding cage i have for my corn snake is too small for the snake and the rat, I'm worried that the rat would feel cornered and bite.

[Shelby]

An adult rat? Ball pythons don't need a meal that big, and in fact feeding too large of a meal can cause them to go off feed for awhile. Even big adults will be fine on a small rat.

[johnwohl]

Hows your tank setup? Size, temps on hot and cool sides, what kind of heat (heat lamp, UTH) humidity, hides substrate etc... If your snake doesn't feel comfortable in his/her surroundings it might go on a hunger strike.

The take is a 20 long, 70-80 deg ambient temp cool side with an upside down plant pot tray for a hide, 85-90 deg hot side temp via a uth under the area where he sleeps, a large dog bowl with a hole in the side and space underneath. 40% rh.

[SoundUnsleep]

Totally agree with Shelby!
My female year-olds get medium sized rats, the males are on small rats. Rule of thumb: Feed prey items equivalent or up to a MAXIMUM of 1.5 of the girth size of your ball python (depending on how often you feed.

[johnwohl]

An adult rat? Ball pythons don't need a meal that big, and in fact feeding too large of a meal can cause them to go off feed for awhile. Even big adults will be fine on a small rat.

how about adult mice? what would be the quantity and feeding frequency? 1 a week, 2 every 2 weeks?

[SoundUnsleep]

2 jumbo sized (about 35 - 45g each) every 10 days.