Fasting? Starving? Or just not hungry?

[Thedotw]

My BP hasn't really eaten for a time now. I didn't think much of it at the time, but its been quite a while now.

This behavior started back when I moved to a new area right before christmas, in December- she started acting disintrested in her food (Usually F/T small rats, which have always been just the right size for her) After trying for a few consecutive days, I decided that I shouldnt stress her out anymore than I need to, so I just left her alone till next week, and tried again.

Her behavior continued for a few months, until finally I decided to get her a hopper mouse (live), which is much smaller than I usually get her, which she devoured as soon as I brought it to her (no pre-scenting required). I thought her lack of heating was over, so I went back to the regular schedule of feeding that I did, which was one meal a week, like most people do, but she started refusing again, almost immediately. Her last meal was that hopper mouse, and that was given to her mid-february.

Since then, I've bought all different sizes of mice and rat to feed to her but to no avail- she just outright refuses them.

I originally would put her in a shoebox to feed her, and that worked perfectly, but since I moved here she just immediately opens it up and tries to get out.

I'll prescent the room to make it smell like it to her- ya know, get the saliva flowing, and all that, but it still doesn't work.

When I bought the hopper mouse, I put it straight into her tank, and had to remove everything out of it, except for her and the mouse, just so she'd take it.

I've done all these things to try to get her to eat again, and she just WILL NOT EAT.

At this point, I don't know what to do, except to keep trying what I've been doing before, in hopes that she'll maybe take one finally.

She hasn't been active, except for when I take her out to handle her, then she goes everywhere. She also hasn't pooped in a looooooong time, though she has passed eurates, because she drinks from her water basin to keep herself hydrated.

Any ideas?

[Thedotw]

Need to bump this- still a problem....

[llovelace]

What is your set-up like? Temps?

[JLC]

From our caresheeet:

WHY WON'T MY SNAKE EAT?
In almost all cases, a ball python refuses to eat due to husbandry issues. Especially a young one. If your snake misses more than one meal (sometimes they won't want to eat while in shed) please check the following possible causes:

Lack of Security -- No hides, or hides that are too large or exposed (ie: half logs). They prefer dark, tight hides they barely fit into. Also, if the enclosure is too large, or too open (glass) or in a high traffic area with a lot of loud noise or movement. Another snake in the same enclosure can also cause serious security issues.

Over Handling -- Frequent intrusions into the enclosure, changes to the enclosure, and/or long frequent handling sessions can cause a shy snake to feel vulnerable and refuse to eat.

Improper Temps -- Temps that are too high or too low, or temps that fluctuate too much. Make sure you have an accurate and consistent read on your temps.

Improper Lighting -- Bright white lights shining directly into the enclosure, or 24 hour lighting can cause stress. Make sure there is some sort of day/night cycle.

Offering New Prey -- Changing prey species (ie: mice to rats) or methods (ie: live to f/t) can cause refusal. Such changes can be made, but may require patience and persistence.

Improper Offering of Prey -- Offering prey too frequently can do more harm than good. If a snake refuses, do not attempt to feed again for a week. Also, changing environments by moving to a feeding-box or removing hides and "furniture" can cause refusal in these shy snakes.

Prey Too Large -- Too large an item may intimidate a snake and cause refusal, or even a regurgitation if it is eaten. Also, if a ball python has eaten large meals in the past, it can cause a sudden an indefinite period of fasting.

Mites -- An external parasite common to snakes that must be treated and eradicated. A product called Provent-a-Mite (P.A.M.) is the safest and most effective method.

Seasonal -- Sexually mature ball pythons may fast for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months during their mating season (typically anywhere from late fall to early spring) especially if a sexually mature snake of the opposite sex is in close proximity.

Illness -- If all other possible reasons are eliminated, a vet check may be in order to look for internal parasites, as well as possible infections to the skin, scales, mouth or respiratory system.

Fortunately, ball pythons are extremely hardy snakes that can go for months (if necessary) of fasting without suffering any ill effects. This gives a responsible keeper plenty of time to figure out why the snake refuses to eat and get them on a regular, consistent feeding regimen.

Carefully consider each of those and see if any fit the bill....

If you can provide details about the enclosure and how often you handle her and any other info you think might be relevant, we can help you tweak things to try and get her back on track.

[anatess]

Welcome to the Non-Feeding Snake Club.
I got one that hasn't eaten for 2 months.
I got one that did not eat for 6 weeks, but now she's eating again.

Somebody here (Bruce, I believe) had a snake that didn't eat for a year and a half.

As long as the snake is not losing too much weight, you're okay.

[Toronto Python Gurus]

Ball pythons are known for goin of feeding, even upto a year is not uncommon especially during winter/breeding season, there were even 2 cases of ball pytons goin off food for 22 months which is almost 2 years now im sure they were adults and not babies, now i stick to a stict feedin schedule:
babies/yearlings - offer food every 5-7 days
1 year olds and up - offer food every 7-10 days

now i say offer food becuase if they dont eat they dont eat and get food offered the next scheduled day, if you have a snake who didnt eat and u keep tryin everyday this will stress him out, another thing is you should weigh your snakes i weigh my snakes before every food offering that way i can see if they are losing weight, if your snake isnt eating and losing weight then you have something to worry about

[Thedotw]

Thanks for the help guys, I'll try to alter things accordingly....

As for my temps, etc. it's all pretty standard, as far as I've seen

Cool side 80-83 degrees
Warm side 88-90 degrees
Ambient temp, around 86 degrees
Humidity at 50-60%

[martinarquero]

thewdot, I have a 2 year old normal that is acting the same way your is, I got her in January and ate for me 2 mice, and since then she has not eaten, not active just on her hide, totally refusing everything, she did pop after those mouse she ate, and she is maintaining wait. I think is because of the change in homes that got her like that, I just hope she goes back to eating sometime soon!!

[blackcrystal22]

Your temperatures could be off.
Your cage could be too big and stressful for the snake..
You should try feeding inside the enclosure when it is night and leave the room dark and alone.

List all of your husbandry details, and we can see why it's not eating from that.

[demonicchild]

Everyone is offering great advice except...an enclosure cannot be too big! If properly equipped with hides and set up correctly to ensure the snake feels safe in it's home, there is no problem.