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[Auzlizardking]

What can I feed my python?
Captive pythons are mainly feed a diet of frozen rodents, mice, rats, and rabbits being the most common. It is advised that frozen or pre killed prey be feed to your pythons as many accidents have happened where the mice or rats have killed or damaged the python. A python can eat prey up to 3 times the size of there head and it is advised to feed them prey approx. 2 times the size of there head. Part of a pythons growth requires that they eat this large prey so that they dislocate there jaws, and the skin at the front of the jaws learns to stretch. A young python should be feed approx every 7-14 days and as they get older it should become less frequent. Adult pythons should be feed approx every 3-4 weeks. Over feeding can lead to pin head syndrome (That is where there body continues to grow but the head does not) and obesity. Obesity in snakes causes many health related issues. This can be very detrimental to there health and a sever diet would be recommended. Some people choose to give there pythons treats from time to time. Chickens, or pieces of chicken uncooked, fish, and raw meat, are the most common.

Why won't my snake feed?
Most pythons will not feed when coming up to a shed, or when stressed. Firstly don’t panic, and don’t stress, pythons can go for prolonged periods without feeding without any long term damage. An adult python can go for several months or more without feeding and younger pythons can easily go for 4-6 week’s. If they are due for a feed but refuse when offered wait another week and try again. If you notice they are coming up to shed it is likely that they will refuse food until the shed is complete. After they have shed they will be very hungry and will often take multiple rodents. If they have gone 2 weeks past there feeding due date and are not showing signs of shedding a few things to try are:

Braining: force a pin or sharp object through the skull of the rodent until juice comes out the snake will quickly pick up on the smell.
Hide and Wait: leave the rodents at the entry to there hide, close the enclosure and come back in the morning. Often the rodent will be gone in the morning.
Chicken Soup/Stock: dipping the rodent in chicken stock
Skink Scenting: putting a skink and the rodent in a container together so the rodent takes on the smell of a skink.
Check your temps
Try leaving it alone for a few days prior to feeding and just place it in the enclosure and leave it alone.
Do not attempt to force feed your python unless you are experienced. Force feeding should only be attempted by experienced vets and keepers.
Stimulate a feeding reponse by gently rubbing the food item behind it's neck.
For more information, see also Getting Hatchlings to Eat.