My Ball Python Will Not Eat!!!

Question

I have had this snake since the end of May and it still hasn't eaten. I have tried feeding it a smaller mouse, a bigger mouse, moving it to a dark quiet envirnment, and keeping it warm and humid. I am clueless. Should I take it to the Vet, or is the snake just not hungry. I heard that a snake could go a year without eating! is that true?

Answer 1

Ball Pythons can be finicky eaters.  There are a few things you can try.  I would try frozen mice first since it is best to get them accustomed to this instead of live.  Some snakes never take to frozen and live is the only option.  The mice should be about the same size as the thickest part of the snake.  Thaw them in hot water,  since the snake uses smell as well as heat to locate its prey.  Place the mouse in its hiding spot and leave it there.  The snake will be more apt to eat if it feels it is in a safe place.  Cover the cage with a towel.  If it does not eat in two days try the same thing but put some of the juice from a can of tuna on the mouse to add to the smell.  The next step, although disgusting is to open the head of the dead mouse to expose the brains.  Others have also been successful with putting blood from a mouse on the exterior.  Hopefully, you won't have to get this far but if the snake has gone months without eating the last two steps may be neccessary.  Try different color mice and maybe gerbils as some snakes will be picky.  Keep weighing the snake if it is not eating and be patient.  They can go for quite a few months without eating.  If the weight loss becomes a concern, then force feeding is a last resort.

Answer 2

Yes its true about goin a year, but not for ball pythons they are way to small to go that long, that only includes the larger snakes like retics rocks and burmeses but not limited to. Pretty much the snake has to have some size to him and have eaten a fairly large meal to go a year.  If your snake hasnt eaten by the end of the month i would either take it to a vet or if you know an experienced ball python owner i would let him take it for a few days let him do all the tricks of the trade to get it to eat, then let you know what he did, just so your snake doesnt die.

Answer 3

Is it a small snake? I have place one into a brown lunch sack with a pinky to get it to eat. I would definitely find someone to help soon.  

Answer 4

ok well this is wat i would do if ur feeding it frozen thawed THEN TRY LIVE if ur having live then TRY FROZEN THAWED

Answer 5

I've had a couple do that. Check out the sites below, they'll tell you everything I don't have time to type. :P Is it wc, cb, or do you know? Also, how old is it?

http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide...

http://www.anapsid.org/ballfeed.html  <<<that one's really good

Also feel free to email ^_^

Answer 6

try feeding them african soft fur rats their native food from africa. some reptile stores carry them. if you cant find them there then check on www.asfrats.info