My spider wont eat grrrr

Two months ago my male spider refused to eat for 4 weeks. He lost 100 grams then decided he would eat 3 F/T rats then not eat again. It has been 3 weeks and he has not shown any interest in eating at all. He is around 700 grams. One of my other males decided he only wants live rats about 2 months ago where before I could drop a dead rat in and he would eat it without any hesitation. The spider is early 2010 and the other male mentioned is a late 2010. My rack has females in it as well with the biggest being almost 1000 grams. Is this breeding behavior? I have 2 other males in the same rack one 1200 grams and the other around 800 grams that never refuse a meal. Someone suggested I only feed my males every 10 days after reaching a reasonable size. I was feeding and am still feeding my females every five days. How do you feed your males. I am still unsure about this. I am so excited about next season :)

I have some picky, really picky eaters, 3 to be exact. I offer to them first, then if they don't eat I move on, don't sweat it. Try the 10 day schedule for them it may help.

you fed three rats in one day when he ate again?

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

you fed three rats in one day when he ate again?

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:laughing: No silly. 3 rats in 3 different feedings lol. So 4 weeks off, 3 weeks on, now it has been 3 weeks off again. When he was less than 500 grams he ate everything every time. Seems like he hit 700 grams and just stopped.

I had a female Albino do this at the 750 gram range - she went off for 3 weeks and then ate again last week so I am waiting to see what this week holds but I will add that she would not take a rat - I had to offer her mice to get her eating again.

BP's sure can be aggravating like that!!!!

Has your room cooled down? If the room has cooled more at night that may be why? Many ball pythons prefer live as scent and heat signature are the strongest senses, have you tried live?

Tried live and F/T. The room did cool a small bit which is why I was wondering about him being in breed mode.