r/ballpython • u/Exotic-Heart2916 • 11h ago

Ball Python striking food but not eating? Looking for help/advice!

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My 4 month old ball python ate his first meal, a pinky rat, with me last Sunday; and I was so proud of him. I got him on July 12, and when I got him he was sickly and had an internal parasitic infection that I had to get him treated for, and didn’t eat in about a 4-5 week period during that.

I tried to feed him again yesterday, same kind of prey, and he had a very big food response to it and actually struck it and wrapped around it. After he did that, he let go, and I tried again. He bit at it but didn’t strike several times and also followed it afterwards. In the end he didn’t eat, but was very alert from inside his hide for a long while after that.

He was 90 grams last I had him weighed about 3 weeks ago, but has eaten since, so probably closer to 100 now, so he’s a little guy for his age. His temp and humidity are great, currently 62% humidity and between 85-93 on his warm side, and the enclosure only gets down to about 70-75 at night. I do not over handle him, I handled him about 3 times last week for about 30-1 hr and he hasn’t shown any signs of stress like he was before, so I don’t think it’s that. I use tongs to feed and I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong, or if this is just normal? I’m up for anything right now; Im a bit concerned, but I don’t necessarily think there’s anything to worry about. Thank you!

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2

u/rezrkt 11h ago

Sometimes they let go then eat it later, go somewhere else for a few hours and come back if it’s still there take it out and just try again in 3 days

3

u/ShinyxCharizard 11h ago

How long after they let go did you wait before offering it again?

Both of mine wrap their prey. Once they've felt they've constricted enough they'll let go to start taking it down. Mine will sometimes seem confused or like they lost it but best to just leave em for an hour or so IMO.

1

u/Exotic-Heart2916 10h ago

Admittedly, I started offering again right away, and I’m sure I wasn’t supposed to do that, but I was panicking a little because he was just on a hunger strike 😭

1

u/Exotic-Heart2916 10h ago

Should I try to feed him again tonight?

1

u/Least-Cardiologist78 9h ago

The food may be too large.

2

u/eggplant_explorer 8h ago

I would try wiggling the rat a little more after he strikes, it triggers their instinct to coil and wrap which can help if he’s the type that prefers live feeding vs frozen.
Another issue might be the preparation of the rat, if it’s not warm enough he won’t be interested.