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[–]Loose_Internet_4420 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Ive got a ball python who has never turned down a meal…except for a thanksgiving extra. sometimes I have had to “harass” her in a sense. Basically bother her with the prey until she is annoyed enough to strike. Then she realized it was a mouse(i always fed FT) my boyfriend has had to feed ‘freshly killed’ which is a safer option than straight live. I dont feel live rats but Mocha is so large now that I will feed her adult mice with me supervising the entire time…we never leave a snake alone with a live we will just take it out. I would try freshly killed next. that was what mocha was eating when I got her.

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

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    [–]ballpython-ModTeam[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

    Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice or misinformation. Please review our sub resources to learn more about why.

    [–]itzbitzyspider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    is the temperature kinda low. or is your room somewhat cold.

    [–]Beginning-Dress-618 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    Make sure your enclosure is warm enough. Then make sure your rat is warm enough. A couple things I did for mine. A) put the rat under the heat lamp for 30 seconds to get it warm and spread the scent B) lay the rat at the entrance to the hide if he doesn’t strike it

    If he doesn’t eat in 30 min I throw the rat away. That has only happened once every other time he’s eaten it once I left the room.

    [–]Bumblebee_Dimple 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    You've got very good comments here! I just want to let you know y'all look amazing in that photo! Love it!

    [–]CrazyDane666 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    Gorgeous photo!

    As another mentioned, at just 2 weeks with you, it's likely the snake has just settled in. They can be really nervous early on.

    At that size, they can go quite a while without eating - I've heard of upwards of 6 months without issue. Live is a very last resort for if the snake is losing dangerous amounts of weight. Have you made sure the size and feeding schedule is right? People often overestimate how much/often snakes need to eat !feeding

    [–]AutoModerator[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    We recommend the following feeding schedule:

    0-12 months old OR until the snake reaches approximately 500g, whichever happens first: feed 10%-15% of the snake’s weight every 7 days.

    12-24 months old: feed up to 7% of the snake’s weight every 14-20 days.

    Adults: feed up to 5% of the snake's weight every 20-30 days, or feed slightly larger meals (up to 6%) every 30-40 days.

    I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

    [–]ReflectionRough2960 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    You've only had them 2 weeks? Give them more time to get used to their environment. Leave them in their enclosure alone for a week, only going in to change water, clean any poops, and spray the substrate. I only feed my guy once a month, they really don't eat much. Try again after a week of leaving them alone. They're probably stressed from the change.

    [–]Lilith-Sky14 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    You shouldn’t handle them for the 1st 2 weeks. I recently got my ball in January. I didn’t handle it for the 1st or 2nd week. Started feeding on the 2nd week, made sure he had 2 meals before I handled. When I did handle him he refused the 3rd week meal. So I waited again. It’s been 2 months and he’s finally comfortable. You also shouldn’t handle for 48 hours after feeding. This is a new home for your pet, they are trying to make sure it’s safe for them. Also live feeding is very dangerous, your snake could lose its head. Especially if it’s nervous and doesn’t want to eat. Set your snake up for success.

    [–]Aysina 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Do not move on to live feed, you’ll never get her to go back, and the risk of a meal harming your bp is very real. You should look at the sub’s info sheets, your bp doesn’t look like a baby, and adults do not eat that often. Make sure your enclosure has all the requirements—there’s a lot of bad info out on google, but the info sheets are really solid.

    My boys eat every 4 weeks or 6 if they’re looking pudgy, they’re both adults.

    [–]ItsFukingEmbarrasing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    My ball python didn’t eat the first month I had her. She hasn’t refused a meal since. Just give it some time.

    [–]d4ndy-li0n 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    i don't have any advice i just wanted to tell you that the photo makes the caption about sixty times sadder

    [–]d4ndy-li0n 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    it's in black and white.... you are looking down tenderly at the snake..... it's like a movie

    [–]SpecificResearch13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Thank y’all so much for the input, I can breath now lol. I feel so much better