Python won't eat, switching from live feed to freshly killed?

Question

My baby ball python last week had trouble with a live kill and it came back to conciousness as he was swallowing it (since obviously he only knocked it out and didn't kill it). So because of the scare and the risk we desided to fully move him to mice and baby rats that we kill quickly for him and then place in his feeding tank. But its been a few hours and he won't even look at it, he stays in his hiding stump and won't even slither around. Will he eat it after its cold? And any ideas what I could do to help? Thanks. <3

Answer 1

don&#039;t feed him for a few weeks (2-3), he&#039;ll get hungry and eat.

it&#039;s too bad it took your snake almost being killed for you to switch off live, but as long as you stick to it, your snake will have a much better life (as will the food he eats)

Answer 2

ball pythons are finicky eaters, need to make sure temperatures are right, if it is to cold in his tank he will not eat - this is becuz he cant digest his food properly. Snakes can go several weeks without eating but my advice is to have a vet check him is he doesnt eat after 3 to 4 weeks, cuz at this point his system will start digesting itself and shut down. Some snakes will only react to movement - it is best to get him in the habit of not being fed in his tank. Provide a smaller tank or area to be fed, this feeding tank should have no hiding places. If you are switching him form live food to fresh kill, make sure the kill is warm or heated somewhat. Snakes detect by heat, if the kill is cold he will not touch it. Dangle it with long prongs for movement.

Answer 3

you can take a frozen dead mouse and put it in some chicken  broth then put the mouse in a paper bag and then put the snake in the bag, close the bag and it will eat.  they get scared when that kind of thing happens and it is normal for a yearling to go off feeding for a while but if it doesnt eat for 2 or 3 weeks then be really concerned take it to a vet.

Answer 4

Make sure the temp of the feeding tank is warm enough. If the snake is too cold it will not eat. I use frozen mice that I thaw out. That way I can buy in bulk and store them. Plus I don&#039;t have to kill them. Using tongs (wood/bamboo ones are best, that way if the snake hits them it doesn&#039;t hurt them) hold the mouse in the tank and move it a little. The movement will get the snakes attention. Once it strikes the mouse let go and they will usually eat. My snake still constricts the mouse even though its dead already then she eats it.

Answer 5

You could try dangling it in front of him with a pair of feeding tongs. I would suggest trying frozen/thawed. they are cheaper and can be bought in bulk, they store easily, and they can&#039;t hurt your snake.

the best way to get a snake to eat f/t is after thawing try hitting it with a hair dryer to warm it up. It works wonderfully for my burms f/t bunnies.

I hope this helps you some. Good luck!