breeding/size/eating problem question??????

[fabolousphil]

I have a 1300 gram female pastel ball python that I am considering breeding this year. I am wanting to beef her up a little bit before the season but she has been off food for the past 4 weeks. I feed her large or medium frozen thawed rats and she has never really missed meals. Are there any tricks to get her to eat? I was going to offer her a smaller frozen thawed to see if she will take a meal. thanks.

[llovelace]

skip a week of feeding then offer her small rats on a 5 day schedule.

[ptate]

I agree with llovelace. You can also try giving her a hide box or something as simple as a sheet of newspaper so that she can hide under to give her some privacy. Try not to bother her a couple days prior to feeding day.

[fabolousphil]

thanks for the help. i was thinking about feeding her a live small rat if all else fails. i just don't want to have to worry about getting her back on pre-killed.

[Shadera]

When she's ready, she'll eat. Just offer food when you normally would, and eventually she'll get back on track when she gets hungry enough.

[seeya205]

The meals are too large! If you want her to eat more often, you need to feed smaller meals. I have two females that I fed large rats to and had the same thing happen! I now feed small rats weekly and they have not refused since! Good luck!