The all too familiar feeding problems with ball pythons

[mwedgley]

My snake seems like such a finicky eater and it is really bothering me. She is about 531 g. It seems that if I hold her or make a loud noice before feeding she will not eat. She also would rather snap at them than try to eat them. I don't think it's a big problem right now but I woundered more about the handling thing, does that deter your guys' snake from eating.

[mtxsub7]

My snake seems like such a finicky eater and it is really bothering me. She is about 531 g. It seems that if I hold her or make a loud noice before feeding she will not eat. She also would rather snap at them than try to eat them. I don't think it's a big problem right now but I woundered more about the handling thing, does that deter your guys' snake from eating.

I just fed my baby bp the other day with ease, I actually picked him up and moved him then dropped the mouse and he ate it fine, so for handling no, possibly loud sounds yes

[Jenn]

Many people find that if they handle their BP's too much or too close to feeding time they will not eat. How has your snake been eating?

[FL0OD]

i would say going forward just try to keep the same atmosphere and routine when you feed her. i do the same thing with my animals every time i feed them and they are handled just before and right after, just to move them, and they have never had problems feeding.

[elevatethis]

Why do you need to hold it prior to feeding? Just quietly place the prey item in the enclosure, step back, and let it happen.

Also remember that no ball python under 1000 grams should be refusing any meals...if they do...it's usually because the KEEPER is doing something wrong. It could be the setup, bad hides, no hides, sub-par temperatures, improper prey size, etc...a "feeding problem" isn't just a problem in itself, but a symptom of other things that aren't right.

Describe your setup including temperatures, cage size, # of hides, placement of those hides, and your feeding routine (what, when, and how you feed). We'll be able to help more with that info.

[Markus Heinsohn]

so for handling no, possibly loud sounds yes

Snakes can't hear

[mtxsub7]

Snakes can't hear

They can sense vibrations

[extensive]

Snakes can't hear

there is A LOT of bad info coming from the forum that i have noticed.

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/snake...akesnoises.htm

[elevatethis]

there is A LOT of bad info coming from the forum that i have noticed.

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/snake...akesnoises.htm

He was correct to the extent that they don't "hear" like we do...

The short answer is that they "feel" noise and are very sensitive to the vibrations in the air and ground that noises create...

Remember anyone can post and good as this forum is, inaccurate information is posted more than you think...but is often corrected.

[rabernet]

I have to agree with Brad, not eating for a younger ball python is often a symptom of a problem.

Yes, overhandling your snake can cause it to go off feed. If I have an animal that normally feeds well suddenly refused feeding, the very first thing that I do is stop all handling (other than what's necessary to clean their enclosure). That more often that not, gets them back to feeding regularly.

It's been my experience with my small collection (currently about 20 ball pythons being fed weekly) that ball pythons, when housed properly with proper temps, adequate security (aka tight hides), fed appropriately sized meals (aka not too large) will feed weekly rather reliably, even in the winter months.