Underweight Snake refusing to eat.

[Riv]

She's about 9 months old now. The first 6-7 months I had her she had a lot of trouble eating. She only ate 2 Fuzzies during that period, but hasnt missed a meal since. In September she happily ate 4 Fuzzies and 1 small mouse and by october she weighed 151 grams. So far in october she has eaten 5 small mice and 1 medium mouse. As of today she weighed 175 Grams empty.

She refused her Medium mouse on 10/11, and then refused another medium mouse today 10/14. I cant really explain it. Husbandry is spot on. Temps are perfect. One thought Ive had is maybe because its getting colder? She also has a pink belly indicating that she is going to shed soon, but her scales are still pretty vibrant and her eyes are clear as anything still. I tried the zombie walk, I tried using a hairdryer to spread the scent. I suppose im only sop worried because she so small. Every meal counts right now.

Is there something I overlooked? Or any tips that may increase the odds that she'll eat again when I try on the 18th?

[Daybreaker]

Some snakes are very picky when they're going into shed, blue or not. That's a possibility.

She could be stressed due to something, I would try every 7 days over 4 days. Perhaps you're trying too frequently?

What method have you tried with her where she was consistantly eating? I would stick to that and try every week and monitor her weight every week as well so she doesn't start loosing a bunch of weight.

Last resort if she still won't eat and starts loosing a lot of weight: try live.

[mpkeelee]

Thaw prey in the fridge. Then leave it where the scent can get into her enclosure for about 30 minutes. Warm it up and try feeding for only a couple minutes. If she doesn't eat leave it overnight. If she doesn't eat after she sheds try a smaller than normal prey. And make sure they r hot.

[Riv]

I cant think of anything that would be stressing her out. She is handled quite a bit, but she's very used to that.

When she was eating consistently, I was feeding her Fuzzies/Small mice at 3 day intervals. She will only eat for me when she is on the carpet of my room. The feeding today I had set her on a towel, but the previous feeding she refused she was on carpet so im not sure if that was it or not. I normally dangle the mouse a few inches away from her.

This particular ball python VERY rarely defensively strikes. Its only happened twice in the last nine months. One immediately after feeding, one when she was in a new environment(a week after we got her) and my fiance was moving too quickly) Tonight though she struck at the mouse but let go immediately and did not try again.

I do write her weight down before every feeding, so tracking her shouldnt be a problem. Shes acting normally, feeding is all thats been off. I just wish she could talk so I could pin point the problem @_@ This snake is like my first child so Maybe im worrying a little more than I should.

Ive also considered that maybe I sexed her incorrectly, and she's only so small because she could possible be male? But every time I pop her she looks pretty female. I have seen anything that look like hemepenes. Ill try and take some pictures sao you guys can get a take on it.

[Riv]

Sorry thats the best popping pic I could get. Its hard to get a decetn one = (

[meowmeowkazoo]

My first guess would be that she doesn't want to eat because she's got pink belly, and will be shedding soon. I usually don't offer my snakes food once they go pink.

[Riv]

That very well may be it. She's only shed 3 times for me. The first was in her anorexic period. The second was a nice 2 piece shed, and she ate through it, I assume because she was so fricken thin. Only 151 grams at the time. Now that she's pooping regularly, and has a bit more weight on her she may just be being picky cause she's going into shed. I hope once its over she eats again.

While we're on the subject, shes been in pink a little longer than usual. I know the shedding proces can last between 9-14 days, but shes had pink belly and no other symptoms for about 5 days. Is that normal? or is that longer than your average pink belly.

[mpkeelee]

Stop moving her to feed. It causes unnecessary stress. Offer prey even if she is in her hide. If they don't come out leave it just outside the hide entrance overnight and they know its there. From the pics I can't say for sure. It's easiest with video but it does look female. But at that age it doesn't really matter cuz they will always be hungry cuz they grow fast when young. Relax, wait for her to shed and try again.

[Riv]

Even if its F/T? I didnt really think she would go for it one it got cold.

[mpkeelee]

Warm them in hot water so they are warm inside. Pull them out of hot water, wrap them in paper towels. Unwrap them and try feeding. If they don't strike after about 30 seconds just lay it down close to them and check in the morning.