Hunger strike

[Bcycling]

Ok so I am asking this questions just because I want an answer. Yes I have a snake on a hunger strike but am nowhere near worried about him.

So so I read on here all the time, "my snake stopped eating, what do I do?" The answer is always that's what ball pythons do. I totally agree with that. Had one male go 6 months last year and now he is slamming everything I can toss at him. Everyone also says I wouldn't worry if he looks healthy. Also, read a few times never for or assist feed an adult ball. So here is my hypothetical question. What if an adult snake was on a hunger strike and started to lose a lot of weight. At what point do you do something and what do you do?

Just st kind of always wondered what I would go if I had one go let's say a year and start dropping weight.

[KingWheatley]

I wonder if offering smaller food portions works?


Herp Derp

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Ok so I am asking this questions just because I want an answer. Yes I have a snake on a hunger strike but am nowhere near worried about him.

So so I read on here all the time, "my snake stopped eating, what do I do?" The answer is always that's what ball pythons do. I totally agree with that. Had one male go 6 months last year and now he is slamming everything I can toss at him. Everyone also says I wouldn't worry if he looks healthy. Also, read a few times never for or assist feed an adult ball. So here is my hypothetical question. What if an adult snake was on a hunger strike and started to lose a lot of weight. At what point do you do something and what do you do?

Just st kind of always wondered what I would go if I had one go let's say a year and start dropping weight.

I don't wait any certain amount of time for my animals before assessing and fixing what can be fix, but than again my animals rarely fast as well.

First thing is that I feed smaller preys once weekly and skip a meal every now and than.

Second I make sure their husbandry is optimum, not drop in temps especially in the winter) etc. During breeding season I house males in enclosure smaller than the usual to ensure they will keep feeding during the season. Bedding might be switch as well.

Third patience everything is optimum, the animal is healthy and we'll hydrated that is all you can do.

The only trick I use for animals that fast without any particular reason even after everything has been tried is a car trip, I put the snake in a snake bad and go for an hour ride, and it works.

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[Bcycling]

Car ride. That's interesting. I used to do that with my oldest daughter to get her to sleep.

[Bcycling]

I have never had this happen but hear the question all the time. What do you do if they won't eat and health is becoming an issue due to weight loss? Is there something to be done to help the animal. I hope to never find out, but I am confused on what people would do?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I have never had this happen but hear the question all the time. What do you do if they won't eat and health is becoming an issue due to weight loss? Is there something to be done to help the animal. I hope to never find out, but I am confused on what people would do?

It never gets to that point a healthy BP can go month without food without having his health jeopardize, that's what they do, they are VERY efficient, if the animal loose a lot of weight and his health is in decline than there is another issue at play.

[Bcycling]

I'm being totally hypothetical here . Just wondering if an animal totally refuses food. And all basic requirements are perfect. a vet can find nothing wrong. And an animal is loosing weight, should anything be done? I would guess if this is the case and the animal pAsses away they could probably find the issue post death. I have heard of ball pythons starving themselves to death . Is there always a cause for this or do some animals just do this?

[Reinz]

My 14 yo BP fasts every year for 5-6 months, except this past year she went 9 months. She lost noticeable weight this last time. I left it all up to her as far as feeding. When she did start eating again she had an insatiable appetite. I would stop at 4 mediums or a combo of medium and large. She would stay in feed mode for about 3 days. I would offer food every 4 weeks during and after the fast.



Elvira pretty much caught up on her weight in a few months.