Feeding issue, needs help/advice

My girlfriends, butter pastel male has been skipping meals since she got back from visiting here. Before she came here in Dec, he was eating great no problems, and ate fine while she was here, and even went up to weaned in March, but since she returned on April 2nd, he has only eaten once, and if you need dates (skipped: 4/2; 4/11; 4/25 and 5/2 and only ate 4/18). He has shed since her being there, and shed fine, and isn't in shed now. She has started to try different methods of thawing, but he always ends up smelling it like he is interested but doesn't get into a striking pose and even attempted to strike it. We are just really concerned and would like some help or advice, because she is gonna be moving here sometime soon, and we just wanna make sure he is ok before having in a car for 8 hours. Thanks if you guys can help, we would really appreciate it.

Sometimes ball pythons just won't eat, I would go back and check your husbandry. If everything is good as long as she isn't losing a lot if weight she will eat when she's ready.

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Originally Posted by Derk0905

My girlfriends, butter pastel male has been skipping meals since she got back from visiting here. Before she came here in Dec, he was eating great no problems, and ate fine while she was here, and even went up to weaned in March, but since she returned on April 2nd, he has only eaten once, and if you need dates (skipped: 4/2; 4/11; 4/25 and 5/2 and only ate 4/18). He has shed since her being there, and shed fine, and isn't in shed now. She has started to try different methods of thawing, but he always ends up smelling it like he is interested but doesn't get into a striking pose and even attempted to strike it. We are just really concerned and would like some help or advice, because she is gonna be moving here sometime soon, and we just wanna make sure he is ok before having in a car for 8 hours. Thanks if you guys can help, we would really appreciate it.

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Similar thing happened to me, It scared the hell out of me for she would not eat in 4 months. I am not sure whether she decided to start eating again or if I convinced her using the methods below.

Some steps that may work because they worked for me:

-Heat the food in a zip lock bag under hot water, IMPORTANT! Snakes use heat signatures to find prey.

-Although not recommended to feed snakes in their cages, I placed the f/t mouse on a paper towel (to soak up the blood/juices) and then left the WARM mouse right outside the Hide. after an hour or two with the lights off, My snake came out of the hide and dragged the food back into the dark hide.

for a snake to eat, the IDEAL temperature is >75 degrees
Humidity should be >45%
Some snakes prefer to feed during the night time, try this method before you go to sleep, and wake up to a full and happy snake!

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Originally Posted by Wuattaguan

Similar thing happened to me, It scared the hell out of me for she would not eat in 4 months. I am not sure whether she decided to start eating again or if I convinced her using the methods below.

Some steps that may work because they worked for me:

-Heat the food in a zip lock bag under hot water, IMPORTANT! Snakes use heat signatures to find prey.

-Although not recommended to feed snakes in their cages, I placed the f/t mouse on a paper towel (to soak up the blood/juices) and then left the WARM mouse right outside the Hide. after an hour or two with the lights off, My snake came out of the hide and dragged the food back into the dark hide.

for a snake to eat, the IDEAL temperature is >75 degrees
Humidity should be >45%
Some snakes prefer to feed during the night time, try this method before you go to sleep, and wake up to a full and happy snake!

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Um.......im still pretty new to bps, but you should not be using hot water to thaw you feeders. If you let them defrost at room temp there will be no need to " clean up juices". Also 75 degrees is pretty cold. Bps need heat to digest. Your cold side should not be lower than 78 and 88-90 degrees on the hot side. Also bp do better with the humidity between 50%-60%. Lastly there is problem with feeding in the cage. Your animal feels safe in its tank/tub.

To the OP, like every one else said, just keep offering and keep an eye on her weight. Go over your husbandry again as well, I would check at least two different times. Like once in the morning and once in the afternoon just to make sure its not fluctuating. Although with tstats there shouldn't be much if any fluctuation. Good luck and stay positive.

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Just to clarify, you can thaw in warm/ hot water. It can't be to hot where it will.cook the rodent though, and thawing tí fast will also cause the guys and stuff to birst or leak open, so as long as the water isn't hot to the touch ( you should ne able to put your finger in for a few seconds without birning yourself) you should be fine. Let it sit in there for an hour, eqem the eaterback up, and leave them back in for 5-10 minutes. That's how I do it anyway.

thanks everyone, i'll post on here friday/saturday which is their feedin day and let you know how it went, he had a a lil energy and pooped yesterday and had to get his first bath lol, but thanks again from us both for all the advice