My 3 and a half foot ball python isnt eating?

Question

I know ball pythons can go a long time without eating but I have some other questions.Its 3 and a half feet long and it just shed.The box Im feeding it in is 23 in long 17 in wide is that ok.I keep him in a 29 gallon tank even though i think thats to small.Also i just got it and i think i got a rat thats to big its 7 in is that to big.Please help me.

Answer 1

check around for african soft fur rats at reptile stores in your area. they can bit a bit difficult to find but they are my miracle food for my ball. you could also look on www.asfrats.info for someone who sells them in your area... seems to be the cure all for bps. i know it was for mine. but it sounds like you need a bigger enclosure too.

Answer 2

A ball python can eat rodents that are no bigger around than the snakes girth at it's largest point. This is the rule of thumb but the length of the rodent can also be a factor.

The rat may be too big but the lady below is suggesting hoppers which would be too small for a ball python of 2 feet or more. Medium to large rats should be fine for a 3 and a half foot ball python.....Jumbo rats will be too big.

It should be getting large (adult) mice at the very least.

Answer 3

sometimes snake go into not eating modes they can actually go up to 6 months without eating don't worry it will pass

Answer 4

Snakes go on hunger stirkes all the time. I had a ball python that didn’t eat for almost a year...I have another one that just got off of a 6 month hunger stirke. Snakes just do that. Unless your snake is losing muscle mass I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Don’t offer it food too often you will stress it out...just offer it food as normal...every 10 days or so. If your snake is used to being handled a lot go ahead and handle him normally.  

Also your feeding tub/box should be big enough for your snake to move around in a little bit.

Good luck!

Answer 5

yea if is 3 ft and a half small rat or medium would be goodd

Answer 6

*Putting Elvis My 2.5 footer in my lap*... ok. first of all... the rat sounds huge... I would take him back to the store and ask them for 3 hoppers. or 3 mice if you prefer. he is not eating cause that rat is too big. also... he might not want to take a mouse or a rat for atleast another week. he is in shed... he might not want anything. Maybe the will give you store credit. Is the rat alive? If he is and was a live feeder they should take him back. I would try that.

Harassing them to eat only causes more stress. they will take only what they think they can handle. Smaller catch might work better for him. I was told Elvis can take much bigger, i choose to stay small on him cause he takes them easier. is it 29 gallon LONG? or is it Tall? Elvis who is 2.5 feet is in a 20 long... and he is doing well with it. i would not think of putting him inside something tall cause snakes are not tall... they are long, they need the space to move around.