Another 'wont eat' thread

[pitbulls4me]

Ok I have Hubert who is my 796 gram ball python. His temperatures are the same as they have always been, his tank is covered on all sides except one, he has 2 identical tight close fitting hides. He has been eating great up until 2 weeks ago. I offered him a f/t small rat and he wouldnt take it. I thought maybe it was because it wasnt warm enough so I soaked it in hot water longer. It was warm to my touch so I offered it. Nothing. I let it set in there a few minutes, Hubert is cruizing around his tank like he is hunting for the mouse but nothing. I take it out heat it up again with hot water, all the while he is in hunt mode. I bring the rat back in and he will come up and investigate but wont strike. I am not sure what I am doing wrong as we have been doing this since we got the snake and nothing that I can see has changed.

The only thing that I do know that has changed is something I am not sure would be an issue or not. But I will tell you just in case. The person we got him from was a drunk who didnt care for him. Well he moved back into the place we are keeping the snakes (because I cant have them where I live right now) and it happened about the same time Hubert stopped eating. The guy wanted the snake back but I told him no. I bought a lock to keep on the tank just to be safe. Could the snake pick up on the guy being there and thats why he isnt eating? I could see that as a possibility if this was a dog but a snake?

[cinderbird]

adult BPs often go off feed in colder months, some may start early? If your temps and set up are all correct, try offering food less frequently. I could consider an ~800 gram male an adult. Is he producing sperm plugs?

Its possible he may just be more interested in the ladies than food but someone with breeding experience may chime in more on that.

[pitbulls4me]

I am not sure it is a male or not. I havent seen sperm plugs in the tank. I do have a female in a tank below him (or I should say I am pretty sure its a female.) He has actually lost some weight, which was only a couple grams as he was over 800 when I weighed him a few weeks ago. But I figure the snake probably defecated and then not eating anything for 3 weeks would account for the drop in weight.

[cinderbird]

i have also been told, depending on the sex of the snake, the 800-1200 gram rage is their "Terrible teen" phase. They tend to go off food for very few reasons and are generally just a nuisance.

My biggest girl did this for me last year. She was teetering just on the edge of 1000 grams and ALL of the sudden she refused food. I offered less frequently and tried a bunch of tricks but nothing worked. After 5 months she decided food was awesome again and now eats with gusto. Over the 5 month period, she lost maybe 130 grams. I'd have to check my records for the exact numbers. She'd take the occasional mouse or super small prey item. Or a live hopper or 4. (over a few days). But now shes back to eating F/T small rats.

Have you tried pre-scenting?

[West Coast Jungle]

There are several things that make BP"s go off feed but the most common are temps and/or security. Ambient temps under 80 could make some snakes fast. Also a large tank, busy area or lack of tight hides or any combination of those things could cause fasting.

I would say keep temps on the higher side 84 cool, 93 hot and a small tight hides on either spot should help.

Your snake cruising around the tank is not a sign of looking for food but more a sign of insecurity. They prefer to ambush from a safe place and not hunt like other more predatory snakes. If you are using a large glass tank filling it with crumpled newspaper helps them feel more secure(hidden).

[WingedWolfPsion]

2 weeks is NOTHING. Just offer again next week, and don't be overly worried. Signs of autumn are in the air, perhaps tis love--perhaps he's just warming up for a good long shed cycle. Perhaps he's just feeling restless. Either way, he'll eat again eventually. If nothing has changed and he's been comfortable before, I don't think it's necessary to take to different measures like filling the tank with newspaper or offering different prey.

When mine go off feed for a month or so, I offer them something small and alive--that often does the trick. Not always. Sometimes balls are just inclined to fast for a while.

[pitbulls4me]

Thanks for all the tips. He is in a 20 gallon long tank right now. Like I said it is covered on all sides except one and he has fake silk plants in there and has 2 tight hides.. they are actually getting too small. His temperatures are 83.6-.8 on the cool side and 94 on the hot side. He prefers the hot side pretty much all the time. Temps are kept consitent with a thermostat (I forget what kind I have). His tank is also in a quiet room with hardly any traffic unless we are going down there to check on the snakes.

How long can he go without feed? We were thinking about trying live for him to see if he would take that. He isnt cruizing around all the time just after I put the rat in there and he wont take it. I take the rat away and he cruises around for a few minutes and goes back to his hide. We have pre scented. He always comes out of his hide when we pre scent and is always ready to eat. I appreciate all the suggestions and comments. Hopefully he will start eating here soon.

[WingedWolfPsion]

How long can he go without feed?

At his size? More than 6 months. Some males stop feeding at the start of the breeding season, and don't start again until after the females are ovulating in the spring.