Tricks to Get Your Ball Python to Eat

A ball python will not attempt to eat prey that's too large for it to consume. While it will eat smaller prey, under-feeding your ball python runs the risk of depriving it of vital nutrients and can slow its growth. For best results, choose prey, typically a mouse or rat, that is 1.5 times the size of your ball python’s body diameter. If your snake still resists, go down a size and see if he's more comfortable.

Many reputable breeders raise hatchlings to accept both live and frozen/defrosted prey. Using this approach, the eventual owner has the option to try both feeding methods in the future. Live prey appeals to a ball python’s natural instinct, so if he rejects frozen/defrosted prey, try the live version and see if it makes a difference.

Most feeder mice and rats you get from a pet supply company are white, which is not a naturally occurring color in the wild. As such, some ball pythons hesitate to eat white mice or rats and prefer multicolor or brown rodents. If color seems to make a difference with your ball, experiment with different colored prey.

If you buy your ball python from a breeder or pet store, enquire about how often the ball is being fed and try to stick to that schedule. On average, ball pythons eat once every one or two weeks. The exception is when your ball is getting ready to shed, which is evidenced by the lifting of skin from the snake’s body and by a blue- gray blurry film over your snake’s eyes. Snakes avoid hunting in the wild during the pre-shed period because their eyesight is compromised, and that same behavior is exhibited in captivity. If this is the case, delay your snake’s feeding until his shed is complete.

Feed your ball python in a secure tank separate from his living habitat, and feed at night to replicate his natural hunting environment. Cover the feeding tank to give your snake privacy. Some ball pythons retain the natural instinct in which they’re wary of predators when they eat, and creating a safe and secure cave-like environment will help your snake relax and consume his meal.

Hand feed your ball python using long-handled forceps, clamps or tongs. This allows you to present the prey directly to your snake. If using frozen/defrosted prey, jiggle the rodent to replicate lifelike movements. Avoid force-feeding your snake, which can result in injury.

If your ball python regurgitates his meal or refuses to eat over several weeks, have him examined by a herpetology medical professional. There could be a medical condition that needs to be addressed.