4 weeks since my BP had last eaten. Fasting? HELP

[jackiecatmeow]

I know this is such a common question and people tend to freak out about their BP not eating, and I'm finding that I'm one of them now!

My ball python is over 1.5 years of age. It's about 3 ft long and weight unknown, but looks healthy (spine isn't sticking out and he is not triangular in shape). He is living in a 36 x 16 x 16 terrarium with humidity at 50-70 and temperature at 85 degrees F, heat coming from heat pad under his hide and a heat lamp. In his enclosure, there are plants and vines stuck to the glass, a black backdrop, as well as logs and his hideaway; there is plenty to shelter him. He is active at night; he likes to stretch to the top of the enclosure.

Since I've brought him home from Petco, he has eaten every time I've fed him. He is currently eating small pre-killed rats. This is the first time he has refused food twice in row. I tried feeding him last week but he wouldn't take the rat. I tried again tonight and he still showed no interest. I usually feed him in my bath tub and he would eat regularly in there. When he refused food last week, I thought maybe the tub is too bright or big in space, so tonight I fed him in a 20 gallon tank with all sides covered in paper so he can have darkness and privacy. Nope, still wouldn't take it. I dangled it in front and moved it around a bit, but my BP sniffed it then slithered away showing absolutely no interest. I left it in the tank for about 10 minutes. He wouldn't eat so I moved my BP back into his enclosure. He drank some water and then went into his hide. His last shed was a week ago and it was successful.

I'm boggling my mind as to why he wouldn't eat. Is he fasting for the first time? If so, when should I attempt to feed him again? My BP has never fasted before so this is really throwing me for a loop. I am a worried python mom. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Wizard]

Don't worry. My two 6 month old BP's simultaneously went on a 9 month fast and barely lost any weight.
Don't move him to feed him. I would keep offering prey in his enclosure once a week. Try and keep his temps and humidity as conststant as possible. You may handle him as usual but keep the stress to a minimum.
Get a gram scale and get some monthly weights.

Good luck, don't worry everything will be fine.

Please keep us informed.

[rlditmars]

Inhale and hold it for 10 seconds, now breathe out and say Ooohmmmm. Relax, and welcome to the joys of owning a BP. They do just go off feed and there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason as to when, or for how long. If he was eating fine before, and you haven't changed anything about your husbandry, then he will eat again when he is ready.

If you are feeding F/T you may try cutting back to offering food once every two weeks. It wont stress him not to have food for an extra week, especially since he is not eating of his own accord, but it will save you some money on food you end up throwing away. Also remember you can refreeze an item once and try again the next time, but after that pitch it. Being off feed for 3 to 6 months is not at all uncommon, but as an owner it can freak you out, especially the first time you experience a fast. As Wizard stated, get a scale and monitor his weight. You will see that he is not really loosing any significant weight and he may drop 10% of his weight or more, before he starts eating again.

On the plus side, while he's off feed there is a lot less poop and less chances of him evacuating on you while your holding him. That is another joy of BP ownership, however a subject for another thread.