Observation of eating strike ball pythons

[PweEzy]

I am not sure if it is proven, but with all 3 of my snakes that went on 6 month feeding strikes, they went into shed around the same time after those 6 months and a week after that shed all of them ate. Not sure if this shed is a crucial marking point in the growth cycle or not, but this is just something I have observed with 3 of mine. Lemme know your experiences and I hope this helps for those with snakes that aren't eating.

[darkbloodwyvern]

Neat! I'll have to look into that. Was there any environmental cause you could think of? Weird weather, or anything unusual? How old were they? Maybe they were pretending it was breeding season? I'm curious. Mine have only been on feeding strikes when they aren't getting the foods they want, otherwise only fast for a few months.

[ogdentrece]

Yeah I've noticed that many people's balls do shed just before beginning to eat again after long feeding strikes, and I was so happy when one of mine that hasn't eaten in half a year shed. Sadly, one month later, he still ain't eating.

[SpencerShanks]

My one and only wouldn't eat last night, and the only thing I was doing different was I was holding in the mouse from the top lid rather than the front doors. He didn't eat it until I tried again from the front this morning.

[PweEzy]

Neat! I'll have to look into that. Was there any environmental cause you could think of? Weird weather, or anything unusual? How old were they? Maybe they were pretending it was breeding season? I'm curious. Mine have only been on feeding strikes when they aren't getting the foods they want, otherwise only fast for a few months.

No nothing different. All the temps were the same and it was sunny as could be outside. It was also odd that all three of them went into shed within a week of each other. As far as age, they are 08's between 850g and 950g.

[loonunit]

I've noticed sheds often signal changes in behavior, feeding or breeding or otherwise? But yes, most of the animals I've had on feeding have shed right before coming out of it (though sometimes they've shed two or three times before they started eating.)

I've never had three animals in sync like that, though!