Problem Feeder: When to Act?

[MasonC2K]

I have been told numoerous times that Ball Pythons can at time go months without eating. And that as long as there's no a big weight loss then just keep trying.

Well, my girl hasn't eaten since July. Husbandry is fine. Good temsp and humidity. When I got here she was about 800g. That's about where she is now. She has shed 3 times since her last meal. She has been very active, especially lately, but she just will not eat. She doesn't even acknowldge the prey's presense. I typically feed F/T inside the tank but I have tried outside as well. Live prey just seems to annoy or even intimidate her.

Anyways, I am sure things are fine and I just need to have patience but it's just so frustrating for me.

My main question is, when should i worry? Should I just keep an eye on the wieght and if it start diving to go to the vet?

[dalvers63]

I'd suggest taking her to the vet for a checkup and bloodwork. This will help to see how her health is doing and give you a current baseline to measure against. The vet might also have some ideas to get her eating again.

One of my friends recently took her diamond/jungle carpet python to the vet because she was refusing food. After some investigation, the vet found that she was starting to have liver trouble and suggested a couple of tube feedings to get her going again. After feeding her twice this way, she is now taking F/T rats again.

this may not be needed for your snake but it is always good to consult an expert when you're concerned.

[Spaniard]

Have you tried leaving the F/T item in the enclosure over night? I have a female who doesn't take F/T off the tongs but will eat it off the tub floor...go figure.

Is she in a large enclosure?

[MasonC2K]

I always leave the F/T overnight.

She is 39 inches long in a 20G long tank. She spends >90% of the time in one of her hides.

[Spaniard]

Well if it were me I would try a smaller enclosure; but since you're using a tank I doubt thats going to be as easy for you to do as it was for me. I would try placing some crumpled up balls of newspaper in the tank to help with her security and see if that helps.

Are you sure she is parasite free? If you haven't had a fecal done yet I would consider it at this point. If she tests clean then I would think some patience was in order. Keep a close eye on those weights; I had my male go about 8 months last year.

[elevatethis]

The longer you have each individual snake, the better you get to know them and their habits. I've got an '03 female that hasn't eaten in the months of february and march for every year I've had her...that's just her thing.

If one goes on a fast, I generally only offer food every other week until they turn back on. Usually, they just go back to eating one day like they stopped in the first place.

For a new keeper, my advice is to switch to offering food every other week and try not to worry too much. They aren't going to starve themselves to death, and they'll eat when they're ready.

[Argentra]

Every other week sounds good for not stressing the snake... but what about when the snake not eating is under a year old? My 9month old hasn't eaten in well over a month and has lost about 6 grams. I think it might have been due to two moves and the cold winter, so now she's back in her original home and has been left totally alone for a week. I'm going to try her tonight, in the cage, with a PK recently weaned mouse (maybe she's intimidated by the bigger ones), but if she still doesn't take... not sure what I can do but just keep offering and hope she takes one sometime soon.

And, due to current bad situation, I can't afford any vet visits right now.