how long does it take for my ball python to eat? or how long should I leave him in with the mouse?

Question

I have a ball python whom is supposed to be fed once a week.The very first time he ate didnt take very long but now he seems to not want to eat.Today is his regular feeding day but he just doesnt seem to be hungry.

Answer 1

Ball pythons are fussy eaters, especially during the winter time. They can go for a few months without food and they'll be just fine. Make sure the temperature in the cage is close to 80 degrees. The temperature is almost always a factor.

The trick that I use is to leave a frozen mouse over the cage to thaw. Temp him a bit. If you see alot of movement from your ball python (like sticking his head out and sniffing around) then it is likely that he'll eat.

If he doesn't eat, just throw it back in the freezer. You don't have to worry about him not eating unless it's past 2 or 3 months. But like I said, it's almost always the temperture being wrong.

Answer 2

If he doesn't show interest in the first couple of minutes, take the mouse out of there.

Most snakes don't eat exactly according to a schedule. Temps, size of the last meal, shedding, etc can all affect it.

I've learned to recognize the signs of hunger. They get more active, poking around, coming to the front glass when they see me, hoping for a handout, etc.

But remember, they will also eat more than they need if you let them, because they usually don't get as much exercise in captivity and it's easier to catch a meal in a small enclosure, so less "misses".

So, as you get to know your snake, you will work out the schedule that works for it, but don't overfeed either.

Young growing snakes eat more often, and most snakes eat more often in summer, even with tank heaters etc, my tropicals slow down in the winter and some stop entirely.

No healthy snake will starve in a week, or even two or three without a meal.

Answer 3

If your snake is not hungry it won't eat. If it is getting ready to molt it's appetite may drop off. Is it warm enough? Snakes tend to eat less during winter months. You can encourage it to eat by increasing it's light exposure ( be care full not to over heat.) Do you give your snake live mice or do you stun the mice first? Some snakes become Leary if they have been injured or have been bitten by live mice. You don't mention how old or how big your snake is so I can't offer any more then general information.

Answer 4

If he's not hungry don't feed him and make sure he kills his mouse cause i had one that didn't kill his food and i found my pythan with an big hole in his side where the mouse ate HIS is way out. i do know they can go for months with out food depending on the size of there last meal

Answer 5

You forgot to give your python a knife and a fork! Oh, and don't forget to cook the mouse in a stew...

Answer 6

Dip the prekilled mouse in warmed chicken broth. try to feed it with different colored mice too, they're not any albino mice in the wild.

Answer 7

he will eat when he's ready . leave him alone.