Another feeding post 🙈

Hi all, my bp is just over around 18m old. Ive had him since a few month old when I got him from the breeder. Never had any problems so far and never once missed a feed (even during shed) until the last couple of months when I have managed to get him to feed only once. I know its common for bp to go on a fast. I didnt really worry much for the first few weeks, but i'm starting to wonder if he will ever eat again! (stupid i know). Temps and humidity are as they should be. Two hides either side etc etc. Other than not eating regular bp behaviour. Still happy to be handled. (Though ive kept this very minimal for a while now). Was previously on rats but i have started to offer large mice over the last couple of weeks to try and get him to come round. Ive also stopped offering as often as I've heard they can come to expect it? Ive tried offering a mouse after a fresh cage cleaning. Im not sure what else to do other than offer a live mouse which isnt very practical or to just wait it out. I swapped him onto f/t straight from leaving the breeder and as mentioned never missed a feed so far. Any offers of advice would be appreciated 😊. I just dont want to be responsible for a poorly snake 😓.

How much does he weigh? The main thing to look at when they go off feed is their weight (if husbandry is all in check). I've read countless threads here about them going off feed. Some go for a few weeks, others go for quite a few months. If they aren't dropping much weight, there isn't much cause for concern. Just keep offering each feeding day, or if that's getting expensive, maybe try every ten days. He'll eat when he's ready.

tbh im not sure how much he weighs now or how much he did before. Ive never weighed my snakes (bad owner here) its just not something ive needed to do before. He doesnt look underweight or concerning. Probably wouldnt guess hes been skipping meals if i didnt know about it. Doesnt really look much different than before. I'll take your advice and just continue trying for now. Hopefully he will snap a mouse soon. thank you

I would only use mice as a very last resort if he starts loosing significant weight. Using mice you may be creating another problem that may be harder to fix.

I was under the impression that they would be more tempted to take a mouse over a rat in an effort to kickstart eating again, or just a smaller sized prey in general. Im not worried about switching back over to rats if thats the point your getting at?

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Originally Posted by pinkpineappleshoes

I was under the impression that they would be more tempted to take a mouse over a rat in an effort to kickstart eating again, or just a smaller sized prey in general. Im not worried about switching back over to rats if thats the point your getting at?

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Try gerbils, they are crack for snakes

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pinkpineappleshoes

I was under the impression that they would be more tempted to take a mouse over a rat in an effort to kickstart eating again, or just a smaller sized prey in general. Im not worried about switching back over to rats if thats the point your getting at?

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Here is what I am saying and please take it as well intentioned because it is. First, so there is no confusion, feeding mice, gerbils and asf's is not bad for your snake it is usually bad for the owner unless you are breeding said rodents. There are many threads on here about people fighting to get their snakes eating rats. They want to feed rats because they are easy to get and they come in the right sizes. Ball pythons fixate on specific food items. It is not easy to get them to change. Gerbils are like crack to ball pythons and I don't even want mine to know they exist. The food bill for my collection would be ridiculous. Same goes for mice. I do not have any snakes around 18 months that are not already on small rats (this is why the weight of your snake is important for this discussion). If I gave one of my 18 month olds mice I would have to feed more than one prey item at a time because one mouse is not enough. If I had to feed my big girls mice it would break the bank. A lot of us on here have a lot of snakes, feeding mice just doesn't work for us. However if you do not mind the extra money and time it takes to feed mice then no harm done.

On another note, ball pythons fast. It is what nature designed them to do. They have feast/famine metabolisms. I used to worry when my animals went on strike but I do not any more. They are fine and eventually they start eating again. It stinks when you are trying to get them up to breading weight but sometimes their bodies tell them enough is enough. As long as your husbandry is good and the animal is not losing a lot of weight you should change nothing.

I am also in the same boat.. 22 month female hasn't eaten for me since I got her 2nd week of January .. :( I have a live rat living on top of her cage cause she don't want anything to do with it.. lol more stubborn than my children .. Hoping it will eat this rat soon so I don't have to keep it safe from my cats.. lol either way he's gonna get eaten ..