if your snake refuses a meal.....

[nellie]

do you wait an entire week before offering the next?

My ball python hasn't eaten in a few weeks and I was wondering if I should continually try or wait until the next feed day.
Thanks!!!

[Lisa]

Usually we wait til the next feed day, though if you're having problems with feeding you may try mixxing it up a bit and feeding a couple days later at a different time (like day time)

[nellie]

Thanks!
I just upped the size of food. I know this sounds like a dumb question, but is it possible that he is "afraid" of the bigger mice?

[SnowFoxx]

I doubt it is fear, but I have a snake who had that problem. She is a 350g BP who would *not* take adult mice! She would take hoppers, but just couldn't seem to make the switch to adults for the longest time, even though the hoppers were much too small for her. Just be patient, and keep trying. You might try giving her the small prey item that she likes, and popping the larger item into her gaping maw while it's hanging open. She should keep on swallowing, and might take the larger prey easier the next time. It worked for me, anyway! (after a couple of tries, that is)

- Victoria :w

[Big Mike]

Should not be affraid of a dead mouse....you are feedind dead mice aren't you???

They could well be afraid if they were attacked or bitten by a mouse.

BPs will fast...sometimes there is nothing we can do but wait. You can try different tricks to get it to eat. I have found that warming up the mouse in hot water right before it is offered has worked for my BP who has been a some what timid feeder.

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Yeah thats what I do. I thaw my mice by putting them in steaming water. After they're thawed, I tease her with the mouse because it's too hot to eat, after about 30 seconds she grabs it. But my other BP is a different story. She used to not take a dead thing at all. I heard that putting the mouse in chicken broth works well. Just make sure the mouse is nice and war. Good luck!

[Jeromerules]

When I feed my BP i gently tap it's face with the mouse and it kinda pisses him off and then he goes right for it. MEh Whatever works for you though. Mike is right though. BP's like to fast especially during winter months. IT's just in them to do. Good luck though it'll start taking Adults soon
Jerome

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

I hope everything works out! Good luck.

[nellie]

Thanks for all the advice!
Big Mike ~ Yes, always dead! He has never been bitten.