Feeding my new Ball Python

[sparda]

Hi everyone, I just purchased a CB 02 male ball python from a breeder 2 weeks ago. He said that he was eating well on F/T med mice. He was actually supposed to eat the day before I got him, but he didn't feed him because he knew I was coming the next day to pick him up. When I got him home I waited 3 days before I tried a F/T mouse, not interested. A few days later I tried again, still not interested. The other day I tried one more time, no go. As far as his cage goes the temp is always between 80-90 and the humidity is up around 40-50. I did not handle him 24 hours before trying to feed him, I used the tongs to "dangle the mouse" in front of him, I tried to put him in a small rubbermaid container overnight with the mouse, in the morning he was laying on top of the mouse. I contacted the breeder and he told me that I may have to try live feeding. I really did not want to get into this. After all I have read and heard about this, I do not want my snake to get hurt. (I looked at those pics of those boas that were bitten and scarred by rats and it made me want to cry). Does anyone have any suggestions? It has been 2 weeks and he shows no interest at all. I know BP's go off of food sometimes, but how long will this go on? And if he was eating regularly before why is he not interested now? I DON"T want to feed live if I can do something else.
Any help would be appreciated.
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[addsig]

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

	Captive Born Captive Born

[jpaulson]

Do not attempt to feed live, even now. It sounds to me that your BP just needs a longer time to adjust to his new surroundings. He could go without food for 2 months without causing any harm. He will eat when he is ready, IMO.

[addsig]

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[Boaguy]

If you continue to keep attempting to feed so often your snake is going to associate food with stress and will be a problem feeder. Do not hold him for about a two week period unless nessisary and try feeding him then and then once a week after that. If he is real small put him in a brown paper bag with some air holes and staple it shut with a f/t mouse and leave him for 1-2 hours.



John
[addsig]

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[pjmartin]

BP's are can be pretty difficult feeders, because it seems that almost EVERYTHING can and will stress them out. Leave him alone for a week. Let him forget that you even exist, so that he can settle into his new surroundings. There is a lot of new sights and smells for him to adjust to before he'll feel comfortable taking food.
[addsig]

[eddie]

I see the temps and humidity being a little on the low side.

Check out the care sheets (link to the left) to get a better idea of where they need to be for the BP.
This will help alleviate stress also.
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[Biermag11]

Ya don't worry about it. I had the same thing happen last year when i picked up my ball. It took 19 days from the day I got him till his first mouse. Also, this seems to be a bad time of year for feeding, Mine just ate tonight for the first time in four months. So just leave him alone for a week and try again. Good luck
[addsig]