I find this comical and worrying at the same time...

Ok so,

My ball python is on a hunger strike, this is my first time experiencing this but I have read all the info here and am not stressing over it since I have not noticed a drop in weight. But the comical part about it is the fact that the rat I have been trying to feed my BP has taken a liking to riding the snake around like a horse. I can only imagine how much it stressed the snake out so I am holding out a few days before offering the annoying rat again. Do you guys recomend a specific length of time without eating before taking her to the vet to get checked out? Anyway, just wanted to share my interesting happenings of the day. Take care all!

Offer food once every 7-14 days between refusals. Too much too soon will only prolong the fasting.


Depending on the snakes size they can go months. I currently have my 950g albino female on her feeding strike once she hit this mark. Shes on 3 months no food.

why do you think they do this? a few weeks ago she was eating just fine, no problems at all and now she is running away from a meal...boggles my mind

Stress, hitting "the wall", possibly going through hormonal changes as they hit snake-y puberty...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by D_Lest

Ok so,

My ball python is on a hunger strike, this is my first time experiencing this but I have read all the info here and am not stressing over it since I have not noticed a drop in weight. But the comical part about it is the fact that the rat I have been trying to feed my BP has taken a liking to riding the snake around like a horse. I can only imagine how much it stressed the snake out so I am holding out a few days before offering the annoying rat again. Do you guys recomend a specific length of time without eating before taking her to the vet to get checked out? Anyway, just wanted to share my interesting happenings of the day. Take care all!

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I would offer once every seven days. My two males have been skipping a meal or 3 every so often and if they skip, they wait until the next Tuesday. I'm sure yours will eat when he/she is hungry. The only thing you'll have to worry about is the rat outgrowing what your snake can handle.

I wouldnt stress over it I just had a male come off of a 10 month fast, just keep offering every week or so

I just had my normal girl come off a 6 month hunger strike. I just offered her a meal every 5-8 days. I actually tried varying the prey item but when it came right down to it she ate her usuall f/t rat when she started eating again! Oh the joys of a BP lol

My only real concern is this rat that I now have to take care of. If squeege goes on a multiple month food protest then I am going to end up with a pet rat that is all grown up and nobody in the rack big enough to eat it lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by D_Lest

My only real concern is this rat that I now have to take care of. If squeege goes on a multiple month food protest then I am going to end up with a pet rat that is all grown up and nobody in the rack big enough to eat it lol.

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Breed it, then. You'll have more food in the future.

Drop down a size and see if the snake will eat again. This can help many times.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith