Royal Python Not Eating - Last Feed February 11th.

[Meltos]

Well As From The Title, My Royal Python has Not Eaten since the 11th of february, That is 3 months by next week my jumanji hasnt eaten. I Know royals do go off their food, but at the 3 month mark, im begining to worry.

He Has lost a fair amount of weight, you can generally feel the decrease from what he was. He is a large male (not sure on age) but he's over 4ft. Yes i have gone through changes in time that he has not eaten, I have changed the substrate, From aspen to bark chips a few months ago, possibly before his last feed, this could be a reason. temperture is spot on, 1 degree off a few times, No changes on temperture side of things. As for the bark, i was thinking of mites, but i cant find any. And to make sure he doesnt get any or to take that worry out of my head, he is now back on Aspen from today.

I Have tried Qual, Adult Mice (He Usually feeds on Large Rats), I Have brained the mice and left in over night. I got a struck out of him last week on the mice, but there was just a strike (promising it may seem) but i checked in the morning, but no, Not budged.

I've Heard Of A Royal Going of its food for over a year and not consumed any food in that time, But he has defernatly lost weight. He has shed once in the time of not eating (which is good, as he has the correct nutrients to do so, plus, he sheds about every 2-3 months anyway, so there wasnt any delay with this).

Just The Quick Points, He Is In A 4ftx18" Viv, Now On Aspen (Was On Bark), Always access to water, Shed Once In Between, Defernetly Lost Weight, On DEFROST FOOD (Not Live, I Know Most Of You Are In The States ).

Regards, Scott

[elevatethis]

If you were feeding him "large" rats...by my definition of a "large"...he's probably fasting in order to let his system 'catch up.'

In mine and others' experiences here, we've found that feeding smaller prey makes for a more consistent feeder. Large prey tends to "fill them up" and those who eat large prey tend to go off feed more often than those fed smaller prey.

[Freakie_frog]

I fed large rats last year cause I couldn't get small and I have a male that hasn't eaten since 12-14-06 ..LOL

Talk about stress.

[Meltos]

Don't Understand Though, He'd Comfortably Eat A Adult Rat Every Fortnight. Not 3 Months. Okay, Smaller Prey It Is Then. But I Need To get Him Eating Again Before I Can Do So.....

[Meltos]

Bloody Hell. 7 Months. I Know It's Harsh, But It's Nice To Know Your Not The Worst Off. Fingers Crossed For You, What Methods Have You Tried freakie?

[Freakie_frog]

Don't Understand Though, He'd Comfortably Eat A Adult Rat Every Fortnight. Not 3 Months. Okay, Smaller Prey It Is Then. But I Need To get Him Eating Again Before I Can Do So.....

Well just be patient and he'll come around if he was eating before he pick back up. Just keep his set-up right on and he'll eat when hes hungry..

[Meltos]

Thats What I've Been Doing So Far. Good Luck With Your Male Also. How Old Is Yours, And What length Are We Talking (Just To get An Idea)

[Freakie_frog]

Thats What I've Been Doing So Far. Good Luck With Your Male Also. How Old Is Yours, And What length Are We Talking (Just To get An Idea)

Thanks for the luck.
Oh hes 3 years old and weighs about 1200 grams and is a little of 3 feet long. He did this last year just not this long.. its all good.

[Meltos]

Promising, If He Done It Before. The Royals Love To Worry There Owners The Little Sh*ts! Haha.

Let Me Know If Yours Eat, And Vice Versa Mate.

Thanks.

[West Coast Jungle]

Having over 30 snakes I find that adult males are the most likely to go on long fasting periods. All my snakes are in the same exact conditions but two of my males have not eaten since Dec/Jan. They were cooled and bred and are now back to normal temps for almost two months and still not eating but I know they will be back on as soon as they are ready. I would offer live rat pups and leave them for a couple of hours, they cant hurt your snake. Try it every week or even two and eventually they will start. Live prey is always better for problem feeders. Just make sure he doesn't have RI(watery slimy mucos mouth) and be patient. Best of luck.