Still not eating

[Bluebell_1990]

How long have you had this snake? Ball pythons are on the shy end of the temperament scale and these snakes are not big fans of change. At over a year old, they may need several weeks or even a few months to decide they feel comfortable enough to eat after being introduced to a new home.

I’ve had them over a month now they’ve taken from me Once properly eaten while left in the enclosure and struck just last week but hit hide instead of rat and wouldn’t try again everytime they have eaten it’s been a white and brown male rat they are very curious I’m not pushing handling incase it’s just a case of settling in they’ve been out of enclosure once I let them come out themselves I did see if they wanted to come onto my hand and they did they changed mind I didn’t pick them up until I had to redirect from wires and when I put them back the handling side of things I don’t mind if it takes months aslong as they are happy and healthy that’s all I’m bothered about they are very curious usually if I open the tub peaking their little head out of hide to see what I’m doing haha if they are out of the hide and I’m in the room they happily will carry on exploring around tub tounge flicking but they are due shed any minute they are hiding a lot so I’m just seeing if it’s that I’m still going to try feed them next week unless they go into blue


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[Caitlin]

It sounds like you are on the right track with the way you are dealing with this. One or two months is nothing in Ball python time - just be patient, continue to be very conservative with handling if you handle at all, keep offering once a week or so, and hang in there. I think things will work out fine but you can always get help and support here.

[Bogertophis]

I’ve had them over a month now they’ve taken from me Once properly eaten while left in the enclosure and struck just last week but hit hide instead of rat and wouldn’t try again...

I've seen snakes do things like that before- miss the food & hit something hard (ouch!) & then temporarily lose their confidence. In their mind, I think they think the prey fought back, lol.

BPs aren't the most aggressive (confident) snakes to begin with, which is why you need to minimize distractions & things that may go wrong when feeding them. I'd continue to avoid any handling & interactions- they need to focus on "being snakes". Hang in there.

[Zincubus]

Most of my Royals are albinos and their eyesight seems to be pitifully poor .. it makes you wonder how Royals even survive in the wild


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[Bogertophis]

Most of my Royals are albinos and their eyesight seems to be pitifully poor .. it makes you wonder how Royals even survive in the wild


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Well, albinos generally don't survive in the wild. The so-called "normal" color & pattern BP is what actually survives the best- so says natural selection, and when humans keep breeding for anything BUT "normal", I think you have to expect problems, subtle or otherwise.

[Bluebell_1990]

It sounds like you are on the right track with the way you are dealing with this. One or two months is nothing in Ball python time - just be patient, continue to be very conservative with handling if you handle at all, keep offering once a week or so, and hang in there. I think things will work out fine but you can always get help and support here.

Thankyou!! I think because they are my first python sometimes I just overthink and feel I’m doing the wrong thing I just want them to feel happy and secure I’m more than willing to give them that time to adjust I’d much rather go at their pace


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[Bluebell_1990]

I've seen snakes do things like that before- miss the food & hit something hard (ouch!) & then temporarily lose their confidence. In their mind, I think they think the prey fought back, lol.

BPs aren't the most aggressive (confident) snakes to begin with, which is why you need to minimize distractions & things that may go wrong when feeding them. I'd continue to avoid any handling & interactions- they need to focus on "being snakes". Hang in there.

I felt awful luckily it was the humid hide that’s plastic and not one of their rock ones :0 awwwwww haha
Next week I’m going to just put a lamp on with just enough light so I can see and see if that helps im not going to try handling or moving them into bigger enclosure until they are on regular feeding routine just means I have longer to get more goodies for the tank!


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[Zincubus]

Well, albinos generally don't survive in the wild. The so-called "normal" color & pattern BP is what actually survives the best- so says natural selection, and when humans keep breeding for anything BUT "normal", I think you have to expect problems, subtle or otherwise.

All my Royals over the years have had poor eyesight and regularly missed with strikes
Inc normals and about 15 different morphs


When I see Corn snakes and Rat snakes excitedly slide OVER the mouse / rat as they try and locate their food I just wonder how they manage with live , elusive critters




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[Bogertophis]

All my Royals over the years have had poor eyesight and regularly missed with strikes
Inc normals and about 15 different morphs


When I see Corn snakes and Rat snakes excitedly slide OVER the mouse / rat as they try and locate their food I just wonder how they manage with live , elusive critters




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Oh, I know- I've wondered for many years how snakes manage to catch food in the wild when they sometimes act so blind & clueless even when eating pre-killed that are handed to them.

I suppose being a LOT hungrier (in the wild) helps, as does actually making the kill- they get tactile clues while hanging on to prey that helps them find the head & all that.

Let's face it- if snakes could drive, they'd ALL qualify for a handicapped parking placard.

[Bluebell_1990]

My little corn always strikes once then I have to place it down for him to eat it he won’t strike and wrap at all I’ve tried he definitely isn’t built for the wild at all haha


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