this is my first ball python and I read they are finicky eaters. I got him last friday and is 16" and he is a male. Its been one week after he ate and I bought a mouse that is 2" and he is not eating it. Five minutes afterwards he went in his water dish and opened his mouth a bunch of times, but he wasnt gasping for air. He was probably relaxing his jaws. Anybody no why hes not eating?

I think from the last post it sounds like he is in shed, most of the time they will not eat during the shedding process. Wait until he is finished shedding until you feed him again.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

I agree with Marsha,,,,,and be prepared for frustration in the years to come,,,,lol... Balls are notorious for giving there keepers headaches when it comes to feeding....good luck.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

First of all, yes Royals are known to be fussy feeders so don't worry too much. But also, you need to remember that he is still new to his surroundings and settling in. Give him time. You didn't say how long you left the mouse in there for - we leave our snakes overnight if they don't eat straight away and many of them will feed once it's dark and undisturbed. Give him time, also he may be in shed as Marsha said. Try him again in another week, or if he is in shed, try after he sheds. I'm sure he will feed fine for you. They can be fussy feeders but this comes later in adulthood, particularly with sexually mature males. Do you know what he was feeding on before? If the non-feeding persists try rats instead of mice. Good luck with your new snake

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

I tried feeding the snake again but he didnt go after it. he is in a 10 gallon tank right now, but I was thinking about switching him into a 20 gallon tank I have. should I keep him in the 10 gallon tank or switch him into the 20 gallon after he eats if he does?

How long have you had him? How big is he? He needs to get settled as Rachel said and moving him from tank to tank is not going to allow him to do that.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

he was in something a little bit bigger than a 10 gallon when I bought him. i got him last 7/22/05 and he is 16". what size should he be when I move him into the 20 gallon?

I would leave him in the 10 gallon for at least a week, let him shed. Then once he eats you can move him into the 20 gl. Do you have heat for him?

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

yeah I whould use a regular light during the day and at night I would use a heating pad with out a light

I would leave him right where he is and don't mess with him! You have to give him time to settle in to his new environment,...without handling him.
Give him time. That is what he needs most right now.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!