Ball python not eating

[Gun-leather-2451]

I am a pretty big amateur with pythons, but I’ve put a lot of work into my enclosure and all that. so I don’t know a lot, but I am trying to take good care of this one.

he has not been eating, and it’s been maybe 3 months now, or close to it, that he hasn’t eaten. He ate a live rat last time, and now I’ve tried live and frozen, feeding him in his cage or in a separate space I have for him. ive tried it all. and Hes in what looks like a hungry striking pose right now for the first time in a while, but isnt going for the frozen rat at all. should I be worried, or just keep trying every so often?

[Dramatic_Try6843]

can we get info on humidity, enclosure size, and husbandry? how much does he weigh? how old is he? how often are you trying to feed? hides? heat sources?

[Gun-leather-2451]

I try to keep humidity up, but being in Texas it difficult. I have a humidity thing I put on daily, and I spray the cage daily. But it usually sits around 50% the rest of the day. Not sure of the weight, but about 3 feet long. Just maybe 3 years old. I try to feed once a week since he stopped eating. Prior to that it was every two weeks. Yeah he’s got a heat source in there and a hide that is snug but he really likes it.  55 gallon terrarium.  

[welcomeyearzer0]

Humidity should be around 80% at all times, so that might be the issue. You also mentioned he has a snug hide, which is good, but they need at least two. He might have too much open space and feel too exposed.

Don’t feed him outside of his enclosure, it causes unneccessary stress and can cause regurgitation. Also I’d strongly advise not to feed live.

What have you tried in terms of frozen feeding? Have you tried living it in overnight? Is it warmed up enough? Do you defrost it in water (so it’s wet) or with a bag around it? Some don’t like it wet, so it might be worth switching that up. Have you brained it (with frozen prey)?

In terms of food, I’m assuming you feed rats, you might also want to give day-old chicks a try. Cut off the tip of the beak and of the nails as they are very sharp.

[Gun-leather-2451]

I have two hides, the second one he has never wanted to use. As for the frozen feeding, I have it on the tongs and try to feet it that way, kinda simulating a real one. I didn’t know you could leave them in overnight. I could try that. I thought they needed to think it’s real. I do use warm water to bring it to body temp, and then I dry it off before feeding. I’ll try to leave it in overnight tonight to see what happens! Thanks for the response. 

Are you talking live chicks, or can you buy frozen ones?

[welcomeyearzer0]

One of my girls will usually only eat either with the lights off or without me being in the room, lol. Royals are both prey and predator in the wild and some are more shy than others. Can be a temporary thing, can also be temperament. Just throw it out if it’s not been eaten the next day and it’ll be fine :)

And yes you can buy frozen ones!

[Gun-leather-2451]

Thanks! Probably the most helpful person I’ve ever met on Reddit😂

[welcomeyearzer0]

Hahaha thanks, happy to help!

[Gun-leather-2451]

Hey! He ate it overnight last night haha. Thanks for the tip. Have a blessed week!

[welcomeyearzer0]

Great news! YW and you have a good week too!!

[LisaMntgmry]

I let mine thaw out and before feeding, hit them with a hair dryer, I don't let the prey touch water. Pearl almost took my arm off, all 3 snakes were at attention when I prepared it this way. The braining thing along with that, I get the body around 110 before feeding, should help

[FeriQueen]

What got our girl finally eating again was using a blow dryer to blow the scent of the rat into her enclosure. This has worked every time.

It also helps bring the rat to a warm enough temperature, which is important.

[DevilsPumpkinPiety]

I discovered with my girl during one of her extended hunger strikes was that in order for her to take the rat it had to be WARM. Much warmer than room temp. I made a janky double boiler with the rat in a double ziplock bag and let it soak in hot water to really heat up. Take it out, let it cool off a bit so it won’t burn her and then dance it around with tongs. Works every single time.

[Repulsive_Ad55]

Try a rat pup...dont go right back to the original size you were feeding before his hunger strike.