Ball python won't eat!

pythoncrazy · 10-17-11, 08:17 PM

One of my ball pythons would not eat tonight. Well he's used to eating regular adult mice and I actually got the small rats for him because it was the only thing I could find I got the lady to bring them to me along with two mature breeding females and a mature male. I thought small rats would be about the size of regular adult mice that's what she told me but it's not the case. Anyways he wouldn't eat it any time it got close to him he would act like he was going to strike and then turn around quickly. I'm thinking that the size of the rat intimidates him into not eating. I am expecting baby rats in two weeks and they should be the size of adult mice four weeks from now. Is it okay to wait until then to feed him? I know they can go months without eating. I won't not feed a snake that is willing to eat my female is in the same tank and he'll smell that she's eaten and i'll feel guilty D:

infernalis · 10-17-11, 09:00 PM

Welcome

BP can go just fine without feeding for weeks, no problem.

Feeding live is risky but also a personal choice. Just make sure you supervise and never leave the rat in there if the snake does not take it, rats will bite the snake, it happens.

I feed mine small rats usually just a week or two pass weaned. They are just a bit bigger than a mouse at that point.

alessia55 · 10-17-11, 09:08 PM

My adult bp will not eat rats no matter the size. He does what you've described: "any time it got close to him he would act like he was going to strike and then turn around quickly". Even if I waited it out for several weeks, he'd never take it (and I've tried all the methods out there to switch from mice to rats). Anyway, hopefully yours will take it in due time. Best of luck (and welcome to the forums!!)

spots · 10-17-11, 09:29 PM

He might just have a taste for mice only.
Careful with live!! I had a mouse poke his paw into my BP when spots had him coiled!!! I suggest knocking the feed item unconscious before feeding. Or use the severed cerebral method. To do this place a pencil behind the head well on table ect at the neck and pull the tail (hard) by the base. you will hear a pop/crack. And done. ( I haven't done this yet, but am going to try this Saturday.I have read all about it.) Or there's all ways carbon dioxide chamber for the rodent.

pythoncrazy · 10-17-11, 10:41 PM

I tried again, and he ended up eating at 10:45 tonight. I still feel kind of guilty because this rat was twice his girth at it's widest point, and now he looks like a blimp. I know that power feeding is bad but what about feeding a young snake a rat that's twice the size of what it should eat only once every two weeks? Would this be okay? I would only need to do this one more time and then the new rats will be big enough for one good meal. And about feeding live it's a personal preference. I believe that pre-killed or F/T is unnatural and I want my snakes life to be as natural and enjoyable as possible. I understand that this can be dangerous and i'll usually just whack the rat on the side of the tank so it's stunned and doesn't know what's going on but the snake sees living moving prey and this is more exciting for the snake.

mattchibi · 10-18-11, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Feeding live is risky but also a personal choice. Just make sure you supervise and never leave the rat in there if the snake does not take it, rats will bite the snake, it happens.

IMO, I would only ever feed live if thats the only thing they will eat. But before I resort to this, I would try every method and research everything about switching to f/t. BP's tend to be more finicky about this issue than most snakes.

Also, keep in mind, the live rat/mouse can hurt your snake BEFORE your snake strikes & constricts, as well as AFTER he is being constricted. I have read too many reports of "my bp got bit by a rat when he was being constricted". It happens. It happens in the wild as well; however, its a risk Im not willing to ever take unless I get a ball that ABSOLUTELY wont eat f/t. And even so, I would get him feeding on live for a few weeks and then start pre-killing them, then you can start moving your way to f/t.

Good luck

alessia55 · 10-18-11, 06:38 AM

I'm glad you managed to switch him over from mice to rats. A note about live feeding: My adult bp will ONLY eat live (my baby bp eats f/t)... I've never done the pencil method spots is talking about, but to make sure it does it no damage, I supervise every movement, and once he's striked and coiled, I hold the feet of the mouse so he doesn't scratch my snake in the struggle until I feel its pulse stop (heartbreaking, but my snake won't eat otherwise). Just be really careful with live feeding, it can really hurt your snake if you're not careful enough. If you can, try switching your bp over to f/t (it's cheaper too!). My baby bp switched over easily and all I have to do is the "zombie mouse dance"

Anyway, good luck!

Jenn_06 · 10-18-11, 07:01 AM

dont know if anyone said this already (did not read the whole post) but you can get a mouse and rub it on the rat to get the scent on the rat your snake might take it i did that with my first BP and it took some time but i got him to switch over.

Lankyrob · 10-18-11, 07:02 AM

A rat twice the size of the snake is fine for feeding, thats what i give my BP - however remember that a rat that size being fed live could also kill that snake before it gets a chance to eat it.

Gungirl · 10-18-11, 08:32 AM

To switch my BP over to rats I had to feed him a small mouse then as he was getting the last bit into his mouth I put the rat face against it and he continues to eat. After a few times he started taking f/t rats no problem.

alessia55 · 10-18-11, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

To switch my BP over to rats I had to feed him a small mouse then as he was getting the last bit into his mouth I put the rat face against it and he continues to eat. After a few times he started taking f/t rats no problem.

This is a fantastic idea! I'm going to try this!!

Valvaren · 10-18-11, 08:50 AM

Since no one asked already afaik i'm wondering if you are housing your two balls together for breeding or are they just together?

Gungirl · 10-18-11, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valvaren

Since no one asked already afaik i'm wondering if you are housing your two balls together for breeding or are they just together?

Good catch... I didnt read the whole post...doh

spots · 10-18-11, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

To switch my BP over to rats I had to feed him a small mouse then as he was getting the last bit into his mouth I put the rat face against it and he continues to eat. After a few times he started taking f/t rats no problem.

I'll have to remember this for the future

pythoncrazy · 10-18-11, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valvaren

Since no one asked already afaik i'm wondering if you are housing your two balls together for breeding or are they just together?

They will breed eventually but for now they are just together. My male is between six months and one year but probably closer to six months, and my female is almost one year and three months old so it'll be at least another year before she's ready to breed.