What is this about fasting periods?

[redshepherd]

I'm seeing an about equal amount of opinions from both sides on more or less reputable owners here. Some people say that it's totally normal for an older ball python (maybe over 400g at least) to fast for 2~5 months every year, while others say that fasting is not normal and simply indicates a change in husbandry and should not occur if all the temperatures/husbandry stays consistent.

I haven't experienced any signs of fasting myself, but it's only the end of November of my first year with Cake. He's some 450g now.

Can we clear this fasting normal/not normal up? Is it forever just going to be opinions, or is there solid proof out there for either side?

(maybe I should've posted this in the General BP's category) <_<

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Fasting really depends on many things, the animal, the way the animal is kept.

Do they all fast? No but some do and the more animals you have the more likely you are to encounter a fast same thing for picky eater.

The most common fast is usually the wall which is usually experienced around 800/1000 grams. Every now and than you will see smaller animal going on fast but it is not as common.

The keys IMO to have animals feeding with consistency and avoid fast are smaller meals weekly or even every 10 days for males, skipping feeding every now and than, keeping your animal in cramped spaces (especially males during breeding season)

I think that the most important thing to remember is that BP are often overfed in captivity and fast should be expected at a point or another even when the animal's husbandry is optimum.

[ECechoHO]

Fasting really depends on many things, the animal, the way the animal is kept.

Do they all fast? No but some do and the more animals you have the more likely you are to encounter a fast same thing for picky eater.

The most common fast is usually the wall which is usually experienced around 800/1000 grams. Every now and than you will see smaller animal going on fast but it is not as common.

The keys IMO to have animals feeding with consistency and avoid fast are smaller meals weekly or even every 10 days for males, skipping feeding every now and than, keeping your animal in cramped spaces (especially males during breeding season)

I think that the most important thing to remember is that BP are often overfed in captivity and fast should be expected at a point or another even when the animal's husbandry is optimum.

Nicely put, young lady...

[SCWood]

My manager said right about now is sometimes considered fasting season. This time, last year, my male refused food 3 months straight and he's doing so AGAIN this year 😂 He's such a large male I don't let it bother me

[BCS]

Out of 19 ball pythons I have, none of them have ever fasted. They are fed on smaller live prey items though, not sure if that matters. Can't get live rats here in Alberta and its quite surprising how hard it is to find live ASFs, so mostly my BPs are fed on one or two adult mice when ASFs are out of stock (which is quite often).

[GoingPostal]

My male generally quits feeding in the fall and starts up in the spring, usually taking one or two meals in there. This year he's in a different cage with a rhp + uth (instead of uth + heat lamp) and the room temp is being kept higher also so I'm curious to see if it was the temp drops causing him to go off or if he will fast anyways. 10+ year old male ball python in a pvc cage, was in a 36 x 24 x 17, now in 48 x 24 x 11, fed live mice bi weekly.

[Kris Mclaughlin]

Many moons and no fasting here. But being the planted guy makes me the odd man out most of the time. Some do, some don't. I have noticed they are highly sensitive to chages in ambient room temp wether we like it or not. Triggered my moms and stepbrothers to go on strike as well. Had them raise the room temps about 5-10f and they went back to normal.

So perhaps cooler ambients on the tank cools them just enough to either make their digestion to slow down, or trigger the nesting behavior?

[redshepherd]

Out of 19 ball pythons I have, none of them have ever fasted. They are fed on smaller live prey items though, not sure if that matters. Can't get live rats here in Alberta and its quite surprising how hard it is to find live ASFs, so mostly my BPs are fed on one or two adult mice when ASFs are out of stock (which is quite often).

If what Deborah says is right, then I guess the smaller prey is the reason why they haven't fasted! It makes sense.

Many moons and no fasting here. But being the planted guy makes me the odd man out most of the time. Some do, some don't. I have noticed they are highly sensitive to chages in ambient room temp wether we like it or not. Triggered my moms and stepbrothers to go on strike as well. Had them raise the room temps about 5-10f and they went back to normal.

So perhaps cooler ambients on the tank cools them just enough to either make their digestion to slow down, or trigger the nesting behavior?

I think being very sensitive to dropping ambient room temps really makes sense. It would reflect the experiences of both sides- that "they'll fast in fall/winter season" and "if you maintain their temperatures/husbandry, they won't fast" meaning at least some of the BP's that fast might be because the owners don't maintain level room temps throughout the year.

My male generally quits feeding in the fall and starts up in the spring, usually taking one or two meals in there. This year he's in a different cage with a rhp + uth (instead of uth + heat lamp) and the room temp is being kept higher also so I'm curious to see if it was the temp drops causing him to go off or if he will fast anyways. 10+ year old male ball python in a pvc cage, was in a 36 x 24 x 17, now in 48 x 24 x 11, fed live mice bi weekly.

I'm curious too! Assuming you can keep the room temp exactly the same through the winter as it is the rest of the year.

[DennisM]

...Can we clear this fasting normal/not normal up? Is it forever just going to be opinions, or is there solid proof out there for either side?

There is solid proof on both sides, so no, we can't clear this up. Some snakes fast and others do not. It is normal for a snake to fast and it is normal for a snake not to fast. I think it would not be normal for a 450 gram youngster to fast, unless as others have stated winter time temps are dropping too low. I have 2.0 22 year olds that have fasted religiously for an average of 5 months every winter since they were 6 years old. Prior to that, no record of fasts. I do have lower winter time temps, but daytime ambient temps still reach about 80. The youngsters do not fast in this environment. all my other BPs are 4 yrs and younger and have no consistent record of seasonal fasting. The two old guys have always maintained their weight during their fasts.