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  • 10-06-2013, 04:18 PM
    IcyCrystals
    Refusal to eat for 2 weeks
    I got my ball python about 5 weeks ago. I have been feeding him every Sunday, F/T adult mice. Last week, he refused to eat. I thought no big deal, he just not hungry. Tried again today and once again, he has refused to eat. Before that he ate great, every Sunday, he would have no issue taking the mouse. Now I am not sure what is going on. He shows no signs of RI or any kind of sickness. Very active at night, spends most of the day in his hide. Temps havent changed and I keep the himidity between 60-70%.

    Any suggestions on what the issue could be or is this something competely normal?

    He shed about 4 days after I brought him home and is showing no signs of going into shed anytime soon.

    Thanks for your help!
  • 10-06-2013, 04:22 PM
    Crazymonkee
    Do you have any idea what his weight is? Or his age? What size prey are you offering? If he's not loosing any weight I wouldn't worry yet. Balls sometimes go off food for reasons we'll never know

    Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4
  • 10-06-2013, 07:51 PM
    Ladybugzcrunch
    All of my snakes have gone off feed at one time or another. My males hunger strikes are more intense than my females. A normal hunger strike for me lasts 1-2 months and usually starts when males get to about 600-700 grams and females about 1100 grams. I had a male spider that went a year without eating. I thought he would never eat again. Then one day, wap ate a F/T rat. 2 weeks is really nothing for a ball python.
  • 10-07-2013, 05:07 PM
    LLLReptile
    Re: Refusal to eat for 2 weeks
    How big is he?

    He could be wanting larger prey items, or he could be large enough to be starting a breeding season fast. It seems obvious, but of course doublecheck your temps - I know here in Socal the weather has been weird, and it's been throwing off my collection at home.

    If he's not really losing weight, as other posters have said, I wouldn't worry too much. It's not that uncommon. Make sure you're not handling him right now, doublecheck temps, and give it time. He'll start eating again when he's ready.

    -Jen
  • 10-08-2013, 12:14 AM
    IcyCrystals
    Re: Refusal to eat for 2 weeks
    He weighs 229g, I am not sure how old he is, but I am sure he is a youngin, probably less than a year. I have been feeding him adult mice, not any bigger than he is around. I tried feeding him a smaller like a hopper and he wanted nothing to do with that either. The temps havent changed, here in AZ we dont really have seasons. It has gotten a little cooler, but our house stays the same temperature. I do keep a very close eye on temps and humidity. I am probably stressing about this more than he is.
  • 10-08-2013, 07:20 AM
    Crazymonkee
    You probably are. :) Keep track of his weight, if he starts loosing then I would start to be concerned.
    What are the temps of his enclosure?

    Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4
  • 10-08-2013, 08:35 AM
    Darkbird
    If he shed 4 weeks ago he very well could be getting ready to again, even if you havent seen any signs yet. Or he could just be being a BP and for whatever reason just don't wanna. just had three really good weeks with feeding with everyone eating great, then last round nobody but the hatchlings and a few smaller ones ate. very frustrating to have to carry all those rats back down to the basement and put them away. If I didn't know better I would say they do it just to screw with our heads, lol.
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