My Ball Python feeds fine on f/t, but no longer bothers to strike

I have a Normal male, who's about 16 months old, who no longer strikes at / constricts his f/t feeder rats and mice (he'll happily take either, thank goodness). At first I thought he was on a "hunger strike," but now I'm really not sure. In his first year, he was an aggressive eater, and couldn't wait to snatch feeders off the tongs, so when he stopped striking, I was a little bewildered. But he comes right out of his hide when I scent the room with a blowdryer. And while he doesn't strike, anything and everything that's left in the cage disappears.

I'm sharing this because it might also apply to other "problem feeders" who are on f/t. I'm suggesting you leave "refused" f/t food in the cage for awhile to see if it works if you. The behavior sort of makes sense, because striking and constricting in this case would consume unnecessary energy.

Comments welcome.

Sometimes snakes just do this.

Though in my case when it happened it was a matter of the prey being too small and too cold. Warmer, larger, prey and we're back to decent striking and constricting.

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Originally Posted by scalrtn

I have a Normal male, who's about 16 months old, who no longer strikes at / constricts his f/t feeder rats and mice (he'll happily take either, thank goodness). At first I thought he was on a "hunger strike," but now I'm really not sure. In his first year, he was an aggressive eater, and couldn't wait to snatch feeders off the tongs, so when he stopped striking, I was a little bewildered. But he comes right out of his hide when I scent the room with a blowdryer. And while he doesn't strike, anything and everything that's left in the cage disappears.

I'm sharing this because it might also apply to other "problem feeders" who are on f/t. I'm suggesting you leave "refused" f/t food in the cage for awhile to see if it works if you. The behavior sort of makes sense, because striking and constricting in this case would consume unnecessary energy.

Comments welcome.

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Couple of mine are like that.

Won't eat unless it's the middle of the night. I just leave their food in there and it's gone the next morning.

I have a few that are like that as well. They just sort of ease over to the rat and start eating.

My BP does a half ass strike and wrap. Kinda funny to watch. Still eats, though.

A few weeks after Marshall regurgitated I started feeding him again, and he didn't bother to strike for a few feedings. Now he's back to his usual self, striking and coiling his dead prey lol. One time he struck but missed, and ended up bumping the mouse off the tongs. It landed on him, and he proceeded to eat it. He looked pretty embarrassed and it was hilarious.


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I have one who only eats overnight.


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My BP is 4 years old. A birthday gift for my daughter that I took on after two years. She has always struck her food and eats well, once a week. She stopped striking 3 feeds ago. I feed her in a feeder box with tongs. She started getting jumpy with the rat hanging. I decided to lay it in the box and sooner or later she eats.

I wonder if it's possible for this to happen to snakes that eat live?
I've had mine for about 6 months and haven't been able to switch him yet, but he stopped taking his weekly mice about 4 weeks ago. He'll follow the mouse around for a while, but he won't strike at it. I know you can't leave them alone with live food, so I just end up taking it out after about 30 minutes.
I may take him to the vet if he refuses food again.