Ball Python wont eat, hasnt since Dec 04!

[freakfish1]

Hi,



I have had my ball python now for nearly 3 years and he was a really good eater when i first got him. I used to feed him sporadically as i believe that this is better than feeding them every Sunday. They wouldn’t eat every week in the wild. Sometimes i would wait up to 3 weeks before feeding him and then feed him again a week later for example.



He had no problem eating his dinner and I was amazed that he was such a good eater for a ball python. However, the last time i fed him was in December 2004 and he hasn’t eaten since and it is now February 2005. I have known ball pythons to go without food for a period on 9 months, but 14 is insane.



He has lost a bit of weight, but he looks totally happy and healthy. I let him run round the room at night and he loves climbing and knocking things over.



I have tried all sorts, different coloured mice, different temps in his tank, changing his food ect.



I don't want any harm to come to my snake, can anyone help me? I not sure if this is normal behaviour.

[JLC]

Welcome to the forums!

14 months definitely sounds extreme. You said "I haven't fed him since Dec '04".....but I'm going to assume you meant that you've TRIED to feed him and he has simply chosen not to eat.

He could be stressed from too much handling? Have you tried to leave him alone for a few weeks (at least) without disturbing him at all except to provide fresh water and remove any wastes? Is his cage in a quiet, low-traffic area where he can feel secure?

If you can describe his enclosure with some specific details, maybe someone can help. What size/type enclosure is it? What temps do you keep it at? What humidity levels do you maintain? What do you measure these with? How many hides does he have and where in the cage are they?

What kinds of prey do you offer him? How frequently do you offer food throughout this extended fast?

And lastly, have you taken him to a vet for a check-up? (Well, not likely "last" because I'm sure me or others will come up with yet more pertinent questions to ask!)

[freakfish1]

Yes, dont worry i have tried to feed him. I havent tried in 2 weeks, but i treid again tonight and no luck.


I dont handle him loads about 2 or three time a week, somtime i dont handle him for 2 weeks except to let him run round the room at night.

I clean his tank regular and give him fresh water. He has a heat lamp which i turn off at night and back on in the day at around 22c - 28c. His tank has one box which he hides in all day, this is placed the other side of tank away from the heat lamp. I have kitted the tank out with bark chippings, some twigs ect. He generally spends more time out of his tank than in. I leave his tank open and he will climb back in it hiself somtimes, so i cant belive he doesnt like it. Well i guess he cant talk and tell me that. lol

Some music gets played in the room but quite moderate and not that frequently; apart from that the room is generally quiet.

[daniel1983]

Your ball python should be kept INSIDE its enclosure at a temperture of 92-94 F (33.3-34.5 C)on the warm side of the enclosure and 82-84 F(27.8-28.8 C) on the cool side of the enclosure AT ALL TIMES.

Ball pythons don't eat because they are stressed or overfed. Since your ball python has not eaten in so long, my money is on it being stressed.

Get your husbandy up to par and he will eat

[rabernet]

Also, he needs a hide on each side, the warm and cool side, so that he doesn't have to choose one side to be safe and secure in and can thermoregulate.


Kashmire didn't eat from October to just last week. During that 4 1/2 months, I never took him out for handling sessions, other than 2 or 3 minutes a week to monitor his weight. I filled his enclosure with lightly crumpled newspaper (thanks Adam!) and was HANDS OFF and keep his heat at a constant 92-94 degrees on the warm side and 82-84 on the cool side. I'd say your guy probably doesn't feel very secure since he's taken out and allowed to free roam every day.

So, bump the temps, hands off, leave him IN his enclosure, get him another hide and offer once a week until he feeds.

[Regal Boids]

Also get a top on that cage and make sure he cant get it off.