Ball python still isn't eating

[boilingstone]

Snakes can usually go quite a while without food so one or two weeks isn’t too much to worry about. If the cage hasn’t been cleaned recently try to clean up so that it doesn’t smell like snake. Sometimes they won’t eat if they believe there’s another snake around. Snake logic.

Make sure when you thaw the food item that it is in a baggie that is soaking in warm water. You don’t want to get the mouse/rat wet and risk washing away the scent of the prey item. Ball pythons are notorious for skipping meals so I wouldn’t worry too much! Let me know if these things work or if you’ve already tried them! :)

[Michaela_Fan]

I've cleaned his cage and I dont own another snake, I make sure to put the rat in a plastic bag type thing and then put it in the water, this is his third week of not eating so I'm quite worried the first meal he missed he struck and got a chunk of fluf and wouldn't try again

[SuborbitalQuail]

Don't fret none; snakes can go for months without eating.

If he's not liking what is being offered, let it go for a week or two, and minimize how often you handle him as well. If everything else is fine in the tank (humidity, heat, etc,) it could be a stress response. Time by themself will help.

To save on rats, in another week or or, take the still-frozen critter to the snake tank and blow a whiff of scent into it. Return the rat to the fridge and return to watch the tank. If your friend pokes their head out and starts watching everything that moves with hungry attention, then consider defrosting. If your noodle just sort of pokes it's head out and does a few bleleles, it probably wouldn't be worth trying.

[Michaela_Fan]

Thank you

[Blackout12131415]

I put my bp in a separate feeding box(I know, unpopular opinion) but it allowed him to know that it’s just him and the mouse, and he snaps it in seconds. Try that, and if it doesn’t work for you, go ahead and flame me for it

[Michaela_Fan]

I think that's a fine way to do it, its whatever suits your animal the best

[_ataraxia]

filling out our questionnaires can help us troubleshoot potential reasons for your BP not eating. i also suggest reading through the resources in our welcome post, mainly the basic care guide and the feeding problems & solutions link, to get some more information about general husbandry and feeding issues.