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  • 08-18-2013, 07:44 AM
    BPLuvr
    Hunger strike multiple BP's
    So all of my snakes seem to be on a hunger strike and was wondering if it could be due to a female or male scenting? Maybe a month ago I saw each one of my adult females wrap their bowl (I think this should happen later) two I hadn't seen do that before. My two males last fed 7/13 and 7/20. Two of the adult females stopped 7/29 and 7/31 the last stopped on 8/9 (she had been a pig before well all seemed to have huge appetites right before. Even my two newer females sub adult and quarantined in different area stopped on 8/8. All had been feeding voraciously beforehand. We had a temperature spike when they had all been feeding great so temps in the room had been 83-84. Temperatures are now the usual 79-80. Does this mean I should start pairing? Any suggestions on how to get them eating again?
  • 08-19-2013, 11:20 AM
    BPLuvr
    Re: Hunger strike multiple BP's
    Bump for suggestions.....As a side note nothing unusual with any of them they all seem to act as usual no whistling or anything indicating an RI. I bumped the heat in tthe room two degrees last night to see if there is a change. Also I have tried the same rats and mouse for each feeding as I have one of those little breeder tanks set up for if one doesn't feed. Should I try getting a new rat?
  • 08-19-2013, 11:43 AM
    Kaorte
    I think fasting like this is just really common with adult ball pythons. As long as they aren't loosing a ton of weight or looking sickly then I wouldn't worry too much. My males eat so sporadically year round but they all keep their weight up. My females around 1000g will also sometimes go off feed for no apparent reason. They always start eating again but its pretty annoying!

    The first trick I usually try with a fasting BP is filling the tub with crumpled paper so it feels more secure. This doesn't always work, but its an easy thing to try. You could also try changing the substrate (paper towels if you use wood chips, or vice versa).

    Have you tried live rats/mice?

    Other than that... just wait them out, they will eat eventually. a couple months of fasting here and there isn't usually a big deal. Just keep tracking their weight.
  • 08-19-2013, 11:54 AM
    BPLuvr
    Thanks for the input. I understand picky eaters and going off feed. My concern was that right now it is all of them. Currently all on Aspen but I have been considering going to these liners I found online which also supposedly hinder bacteria growth.
  • 08-19-2013, 11:58 AM
    Kaorte
    Yeah that is a little bizarre but not unheard of. I have a lot of snakes so I never have all of them go off feed at once, but I've definitely had a large chunk of my collection stop eating for no apparent reason.

    I would give a substrate change a try and then leave them alone for a full week or two (for good measure). Pre-scent the room hardcore before feeding to get them ready and see how it goes!

    If you have the space, you could also try moving some to bigger tubs or smaller tubs to see if the change in scenery kick starts anything.
  • 08-19-2013, 12:35 PM
    BPLuvr
    Ok I'll give it a go. I have plenty of room I built enough racks the past 2 weeks to be futureproof for awhile. As for pre-scenting the rats are kept in the room hmmm I have to look at the receipt to see when I started doing that!
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