feeding

[daveyboy]

i have an eight month ball python,iam worried because she hasnt touched food for 3 weeks,ive even tried gerbils!!!!!,what can you suggest

[TheDoctor]

How long have you had her? Most BPs go into a period of fasting, mine will not eat from Nov-Jan every year and she`ll be three this year.

It`s nothing to worry about as long as there`s no significant weight drop and your temps are right. Do offer her food on normal schedule though and she`ll eat when she decides to.

I forgot, please avoid gerbils because if your BP like them, it will be difficult to switch her back to mice/rats.

[daveyboy]

i have had her 4 mths,she is not even a year old yet.

[daveyboy]

how will i know if when shes hungry again

[Lobo_Reptiles]

It depends, I know Chimera sticks his head out of his hides and gets ancy when he is hungry. Some don't let you know at all. The best thing you can do, as Doctor said, is to try and feed once every week and she will eat when she wants to. Hades was my worst feeder and to get him to eat I used to put him in a shoe box where it was dark. He didn't liked to be watched I guess.

But yes, don't panic. As long as she isn't getting skinnier than usual i.e no folded skin or ribs showing, than you are fine.

[Shaffer]

I've got the same problem with my Female, she's at about 2100grams since november, ate once in mid-december, and hasn't eaten since, but i still offer a rat every week. They'll eat when they want too.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

i have an eight month ball python,iam worried because she hasnt touched food for 3 weeks,ive even tried gerbils!!!!!,what can you suggest

Food refusal can be husbandry related so here is what you need to do

Check temperature 80-84 on the cool side, 90-94 on the warm side
Check humidity 50%-60%
Make sure the enclosure is in a low traffic area
If you handle your BP a lot stop until he resume feeding
Make sure the hides are tight enough (If you can fit something in the hide with your BP then the hide is TOO BIG)

BP will also fast to catch up if the prey they have eaten in the past are too big or if you feed too often.

None of mine are fasting

[daveyboy]

thank-you for ur help guys ,guess its just a royal thing,will let u know how she gets on.