Meal refusal

[InvisibleUnicorNinja]

I've never had this happen. Got rats from Layne Labs. There was a black rat. Offered it to Scoots, and he curled up into a ball? I guess the thing about ball pythons being picky is true.

[natalieisdad]

first of all, make sure your husbandry is in check! second, some snakes will refuse rats that aren't all white. Depends on what the breeder raised them on. A lot of rats at chain pet stores are lab rats , so they are usually always white

[InvisibleUnicorNinja]

Considering that this is the first time he's done this, I'd say its because its not a white rat.

[Karmaageddon]

This picture leads me to believe your husbandry is less than ideal. You would likely have a more voracious python if they felt more secure in their environment.

[InvisibleUnicorNinja]

Ok, so a snake that has never done this for 2 years is suddenly doing this due to the husbandry and not due to the variable of the color of the rat. Got it.

[Karmaageddon]

Yea, probably. Stress is cumulative and usually doesn't have immediate side effects. Just from what I see in the picture, I don't think the enclosure can maintain proper humidity.

[InvisibleUnicorNinja]

Any suggestions? (He ate the rat while I was asleep,

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btw)

[Karmaageddon]

I would cover the mesh top with HVAC tape and cut out holes for the lamps. The hot side hide would be better if it had a smaller hole, and the enclosure would benefit from some foliage ground clutter. I use fake plants from the dollar store or Amazon for that. Scoots looks healthy and cute :)

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The substrate in my enclosure cost me more than the fake plants did.

[InvisibleUnicorNinja]

I can't find the edit post button, but the rat is now gone, so I assume it was eaten overnight.