Is he eating enough?

[rb3839]

Hi,
I am getting my first ball python in a couple of weeks. He is older, and around 4 1/2 feet and I am buying him from a guy on craigslist.

I have been emailing the guy asking about the snakes eating habits and he says that

"Feeding all varies. Winter he's a pain. Barely eats because his body slows down. But when he's consistently eating it could be every one to three months depending on him. I've always fed him in the same tank he's kept in and always live rats. Never had a pair of tongs to use. I always took the two climbing logs out when I was going to feed him for him to stretch and eat easily."

I asked again if he really only eats every one to three months to which the guy said

"Yup that's about it. The spring and summer is when he eats the most. I've gone 6-8 months without feeding him before because he just won't eat sometimes. Dunno what it is. Not like he's unhealthy that's just that way it's gone."

does this sound normal to you? when I get the snake I will try and wean it onto dead food. I am also going to feed it outside of the cage.
Thankyou

[brettfong]

I'd look somewhere else to be honest. If an established snake only eats live and only eats every 3 months then it's going to be hard to get it on frozen/thawed. Some particular snakes just go off feed every winter, so if this one has done it in the past, there's not much you can do in the future.

Also, feeding outside the cage is another one of those preferential things. Some people do it, some don't. One isn't better than the other. In fact, I think it just stresses them out even more (which could be bad for a snake that only eats a few times a year anyways..)

There are tons of other places than craigslist to get a ball python (pet stores, breeders, other ads). Just get a hatchling and raise it yourself, that way you will get to know its eating habits and start it on F/T rats early on.

[Slim]

If an established snake only eats live and only eats every 3 months then it's going to be hard to get it on frozen/thawed. Some particular snakes just go off feed every winter, so if this one has done it in the past, there's not much you can do in the future.

First off, who said the OP wanted to switch the snake to F/T? Second, wrong! We have NO clue what the husbandry is like in this BP's current situation. There is a very high likelihood that the current owner is a ding bat and has now idea how to take care of a Ball Python. It could be going off feed in the winter because the current owner can't, or won't keep the proper temp range in the enclosure.

To the OP, while I'm not a huge fan of rehoming snakes from Craigslist, if you do chose to take on this BP, there is no reason that with proper husbandry that the animal won't make a fine pet.

[brettfong]

First off, who said the OP wanted to switch the snake to F/T?

OP did: "when I get the snake I will try and wean it onto dead food"

[Slim]

OP did: "when I get the snake I will try and wean it onto dead food"

I missed that point. You are right, and I apologize. I do stand by the rest of my post, however.

[rb3839]

Thanks guys,
I have already agreed to take this guys snake so its just too late to back out now. also, I would rather have an older snake.

really what I was just wondering is how often should an adult ball python be eating? I have looked alot online and some websites say once every three weeks and some websites say once a week. I just want to know what is normal and healthy.
it sounds like from what you're saying that once every 1-3 months is really bad, which was how it sounded to me.

also, I would like to wean onto frozen or prekilled but i understand if at that age it just isn't a possibility anymore.
again thanks.