Ball Python driving me insane

[Michelle85]

I have had this ball for five years now. The first few years he ate without problem, I got him at 2. His fifth year he started getting picky. It went from not eating darker mice or rats to not eating mice... then not eating rats and literally fasting for 6 months the first time and almost 8 months the last time. I became so desperate I started feeding him gerbils, it was the only thing he would eat and people said I was stupid for feeding him that as its like crack and now he wont eat anything else. Well he stopped eating gerbils. I got more rats, nope, mice, nope. I was at the pet store one day complaining about my snake and the employee that was working that day asked me if I ever fed him an African Spiny Mouse. I said I hadn't and she said they were overrun with them and would sell me some for small rat prices so I bought two. Well my god, my snake has never reacted to food like he did this time, he was so excited he literally grabbed the bum of one and hung on, I thought he was going to get bit but the he finally wrapped. He ate that one in no time, I put another one in and like lightning he took it. So, it would appear he is all about these mice. The store has a lot at the moment so I should be good for a few months but I am worried about what is going to happen in the future. I have tried everything, scenting, laying out fresh killed, not handing anything and using tongs, rats, mice, gerbils, dagus ... this guy is stubborn, he will go a long time without eating! Has anyone had such a finicky snake and if so, what did you do?

[sneakysnake611]

Its common for them to go off feed for 6 month easily. Mines gone 11 if i recall correctly. They will eat when they are hungry. They dont have to eat all the time. They conserve energy very well. No need to stress if he is behaving fine and normal behavior is present he is good.

[jmcrook]

Patience will be your best bet. Mine never fasted until he was 5 years old and has done it the last two years for 8 and 6-7 months respectively. They'll eat when they're hungry. Get a boa or a retic to use as a garbage disposal for refusals from the ball python haha!


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[Stewart_Reptiles]

To avoid frustration there are a few things to understand

1/ They are VERY efficient
2/ They will sooner or later fast
3/ Changing prey item is not the solution it can actually make it worse
4/ Feed smaller prey once a week when they animal feeds (BP are over fed in captivity and will fast to catch up)

[shadow reaper]

A question related to this fasting topic: When a BP starts to fast, do you continue to offer food on the 7-10 cycle? In terms of F/T, once it is prepared, it needs to be eaten or thrown out. So if your noodle goes off food for 8-11 months and you feed once a week, do you just throw out 40 some rats?!?

My guy is a serious eater, but he's only a year old and I've only had him for a month or so, I'm just thinking of what ifs in the future.

[Lotix]

I'm not sure if this is right but when I can tell my snakes are going to fast, I just offer food less often, maybe once a month instead of every week. It helps that I have two so if one doesn't eat the rat, the other most likely will. I also try defrosting one rat in the fridge, while it's still cold I open the tub and waft it around their hide entrance, if no one comes out to at least taste, I put the rat back in the freezer. I usually keep that rat just to test because it gets refrozen a lot, so I don't feed it to either of them. I had my rescue go on strike for 10 months once, at first she dropped fat weight then stopped and stayed a steady weight till she was finally hungry. Try not to panic, watch their weight and you should be fine.

[sneakysnake611]

I'm not sure if this is right but when I can tell my snakes are going to fast, I just offer food less often, maybe once a month instead of every week. It helps that I have two so if one doesn't eat the rat, the other most likely will. I also try defrosting one rat in the fridge, while it's still cold I open the tub and waft it around their hide entrance, if no one comes out to at least taste, I put the rat back in the freezer. I usually keep that rat just to test because it gets refrozen a lot, so I don't feed it to either of them. I had my rescue go on strike for 10 months once, at first she dropped fat weight then stopped and stayed a steady weight till she was finally hungry. Try not to panic, watch their weight and you should be fine.

Thats a great idea!

I just offer less often. It doesnt hurt them to not eat
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