Feeding Issues for 3 months

[nevohraalnavnoj]

Hi Jess, you did a good job of describing everything in your post. I hear your pain about not having access to life pinky/pup rats.

One thing that's important to know: What was his weight when you got him and what is his weight now? As long as he's not losing weight too rapidly everything should be alright.

Feeding a small live mouse may be the best bet.

Have you tried covering 3 of the four sides of the aquarium and filling it with lots of stuff so that he feels really cramped and secure?

The strike you describe does sound like a defensive strike. I have one that does that when I offer FT, she's like "get it outta my face!"

JonV

Alright, so I have a year old Het. Caramel Albino Ball Python. He is in a 20g long tank. The Temperature and Humidity is regulated, and I have checked it a thousand times.
I recently got him. He was shipped by a well acknowledged breeder who've I kept in touch with about this subject since. I received him at the beginning of April.
According to the breeders records, the last time he ate at ALL was before he was shipped on March 23, 2008. I have been unsuccessful at feeding him since I've received him. I've looked up everything I could to try to get him to eat. He was eating fuzzy live rats at the breeder which I have been unable to receive as of now. Heres the list of things I have tried to get him to eat. (He is capable of eating an adult mouse easily.)

-F/t hopper mouse.
-F/t adult mouse.
-Live fuzzy mouse.
-Live adult mouse.
-F/t small rat.
-Brained f/t small rat.
-Live pinkie mouse.

Those are all the things I've attempted to feed him. I've tried these various things as well.

-Raised Temp. and Humidity.
-Overnight Bag (left him in a paper bag with a dead mouse overnight)
-Feeding in Cage
-Feeding in Outside Container (large and small)
-Feeding with Tongs
-Feeding with Hand
-Assisted Feeding
-Left him alone for two weeks and tried again.
-Encouraging food at front of shelter/hide.

The ONLY feeding response I've gotten out of him was confusing. I was dangling a live mouse by hand in front of him (4in or so) and he struck at the mouse but did not grab and pull back. It was like he bit the mouse out of fear almost.

He just shed normally the other day and drinks often. He doesn't look emaciated on is side (dented region along his side) but his backbone is a bit more prominent than I would like.

I can show pictures of anything. I just need more suggestions, anything will help. If he doesn't eat within this month I may have to consult a veterinarian and/or try to force feed. Neither of which I really want to do. Thanks.