Eating Question

[Reptile King]

I have had my female ball python since April of 2009. She has been a GREAT feeder from day one. There were a couple of times that she refused to eat due to shed but she has usually eaten even during shed.

I tried to feed (frozen thawed) her two days ago and although she was flicking her tongue she did not show any interest. I put her back in her Reptile Basics 2X3 cage and waited another day. I attempted to feed her the next day and this time she struck and constricted........but it was in really slow motion. Afterwards, she did not eat.

Her health seems great. Normally she has a great feeding response but for whatever reason this is not her week. I have heard that ball pythons will go off feed during the winter but she has never missed a meal until this week. To be concerned or not is the question. I will attempt to feed her again next week and see what she does. My male refused last week but this week he was starvin' to death and he hit the rat quick.

FYI.......she is around 600 grams and has been eating small rats. Although the rat I offered her was slightly larger it was well within her limits of size.

[CoolioTiffany]

Have you always fed her F/T or did you previously feed live?

Sometimes Ball pythons will go off feed for no appearent reason, but males will mostly go off feed in the Winter. Also, I would give her a week each time you try feeding her so she doesn't get overly stressed. If she takes it and constricts it I would close her tub and leave the room. Maybe turning off all lights would be good too because they are nocturnal and normally hunt during the night. Check back on her in an hour or two and see if she took it down or not.

Sometimes Balls gotta have their privacy when they eat. Whenever my Ball pythons take the F/T food and constrict it I just put the lid back on and go to the next tub. After they all get their food I stack them back up and let them be to eat in privacy and to digest.

[Reptile King]

I have always fed frozen/thawed. After she constructs I always close her tub and go about my business. Hmmmm.......I'll see what happens next week.

[Nuzum1978]

I wouldn't be concerned b/c she missed a week. Mine's been off feed for 3 months now and appears to be doing just fine. She did the same thing last winter. You will hear a lot about BPs being a pain to feed sometimes and I am beginning to understand.