Ball Python Feeding Help

[MissAnne2u]

So we have a 4ft long Normal Ball Python ... In Oct 2009, he stopped eating altogether, wouldnt take F/T, we tried for 8 months to no avail. We finally tried a Live Rat and BAM, he ate, so we've been feeding him Live since July last year ... well, now he won't eat Live anymore. We tried F/T again, wouldnt take it. He hasn't eaten in 2 Months.

Temps:
Hot Side 85-87
Cool Side 73-75 (Water is on this end)
Humidity 55-60%
No lights during day as he is in the room with all the lizards and huge bay windows, it's very bright in there
Red light at night for heat mostly

He is active and will allow us to hold him and stuff, but if we put a live rat in his feeding tub, he seems scared of and he won't even touch the F/T.

Could he just be slowing down for the winter? My BRB isnt eating much either and we did just have snow 11 Days ago.

Any advice ??

Thanks !

[Skittles1101]

A lot of people have trouble with feeding during this time of year, especially with adults. If you wanted to try maybe a smaller sized prey that might work, I know when I have one that refuses one week, I always try a smaller prey the next week and 6 times out of 10 I'd say they take the smaller item. Mine are all still fairly young, so an adult going off feed because of breeding season may not take anything altogether.

[stratus_020202]

Well, I think your temps are a little low. They should be more like 90-92 on the hot side, and 80-82 on the cool side. What do you measure with? Do you have a regulated UTH? I don't think it would be enough to make him stop eating though.

I would recommend feeding inside the enclosure. There really is no advantage to the snake moving him to feed. Ball Pythons stress really easily, and not all can be moved before feeding. I have some I can't even handle on feeding day.

Your post says he's active? Active means a stressed ball python. He should hide all day, and a lot at night as well. What kind of hides do you have for him?

It's also still coming out of breeding season for these guys, and most will fast. Since you just had snow recently i'm guessing he's still in winter mode. You could try a live mouse to bring him out, but he might imprint on them. I would give him another month and try a mouse. They are stronger scented, so might be able to bring him out of the fast quicker.

The brightness of the room could be stressing him out too. Do you feed during the day or night?

[MissAnne2u]

A lot of people have trouble with feeding during this time of year, especially with adults. If you wanted to try maybe a smaller sized prey that might work, I know when I have one that refuses one week, I always try a smaller prey the next week and 6 times out of 10 I'd say they take the smaller item. Mine are all still fairly young, so an adult going off feed because of breeding season may not take anything altogether.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking .... brumation and breeding season ... seems he didnt eat Jan - July of last year either.

I'll try the smaller sized food.

Thank you !

Anne

[TheWinWizard]

Patience and try offering him weekly. it'll eat when it wants to. Just the nature of the beast. Yes, I hate that as well. I feel your pain.

[Homegrownscales]

Even a couple degree temp change can trigger a fast. I'd accurately up his temps to 90-92. And then a couple weeks after that try feeding.

[MissAnne2u]

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice !

I will try to up his temps... although the room he is in during the day can get in the middle 90's due to the 8 Lizard enclosures.

I've been measuring temps with a IR Temp gun. I do not have any UTH or anything other than a night light since the room he is in gets so hot during the day and doesnt drop below 75 at night.

I am seriously considering moving him and my BRB out of that room and into a more temperature controlled room.