My BP forgot how to snake
This is more of a observation/rant than anything else but I swear, Winston forgets how to be a snake at times which can be frustrating. He mostly forgets how to snake when it comes to feeding day. Offer him food and he turns away, literally turns away or wants to hide because apparently F/T food is intimidating. Other times he wants nothing to do with the size offered but if offered a smaller prey he lunges for it or he continues to hide. He's healthy otherwise and it's not a constant issue. At most he's refused 3 meals straight but makes up for it later.
If someone could let Winston borrow their copy of "How to Snake for Dummies" that would be great. He needs a refresher.
Re: My BP forgot how to snake
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JodanOrNoDan
LOL. He doesn't need a book. He is acting exactly like many healthy male ball pythons do this time a year. If he is not losing weight he is just fine. This is a protective behavior. His digestion has shut down and his body is telling him he better not eat. This can be triggered by lower temps, the time of year, and or he has decided he has enough reserves. Celebrate. You may not have to buy rats for awhile.
Always learning new things about this species. Meanwhile, one of my two females has yet to miss a meal. The other is still rather young and we're dealing with mites so her appetite is hit or miss. I'm all for not having to buy more food for a while. His tub is right where it should be and ambient is holding steady as well so it must be the time of the year.
Thanks!
Re: My BP forgot how to snake
Quote:
Originally Posted by
andrewross8705
Always learning new things about this species. Meanwhile, one of my two females has yet to miss a meal. The other is still rather young and we're dealing with mites so her appetite is hit or miss. I'm all for not having to buy more food for a while. His tub is right where it should be and ambient is holding steady as well so it must be the time of the year.
Thanks!
Yeah, the next thing you are going to find out is there is always an animal that breaks the rules. I have a male and his son that never miss a meal. Doesn't matter if they are shedding or breeding, they both always eat. All of my other males go off food for a couple months every year.
Re: My BP forgot how to snake
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JodanOrNoDan
LOL. He doesn't need a book. He is acting exactly like many healthy male ball pythons do this time a year. If he is not losing weight he is just fine. This is a protective behavior. His digestion has shut down and his body is telling him he better not eat. This can be triggered by lower temps, the time of year, and or he has decided he has enough reserves. Celebrate. You may not have to buy rats for awhile.
How do you tell when he's ready to eat again, and thus you need to buy rats again?
Re: My BP forgot how to snake
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Timelugia
How do you tell when he's ready to eat again, and thus you need to buy rats again?
Now that is the million dollar question and there is not a simple answer. The best and shortest answer is know your animal but that is not very helpful. Normally these guys will repeat patterns year after year and the process is easier if you have more than a couple animals. I always have rats and I always thaw only enough for those that I know are eating. If I have an animal refuse for any reason other than it is in shed I will wait at least two weeks before I try that animal again. I will attempt to feed the non- feeding animals first. If they take it great, if not I know I have an animal that will. If you do have to refreeze you can usually get away with it once, sometimes twice. Any more than that you have exploding rats that are just wonderful to clean up. A good indicator that the animal is getting ready to feed again is a change in activity level. This can be hard to tell with boys sometimes because they could be looking for love rather than food. Once you get through the first season the animal will become predictable. Each animal is different so the first year of maturity becomes a guessing game. Wish I had a better answer for you but that is all I've got.
Re: My BP forgot how to snake
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JodanOrNoDan
Now that is the million dollar question and there is not a simple answer. The best and shortest answer is know your animal but that is not very helpful. Normally these guys will repeat patterns year after year and the process is easier if you have more than a couple animals. I always have rats and I always thaw only enough for those that I know are eating. If I have an animal refuse for any reason other than it is in shed I will wait at least two weeks before I try that animal again. I will attempt to feed the non- feeding animals first. If they take it great, if not I know I have an animal that will. If you do have to refreeze you can usually get away with it once, sometimes twice. Any more than that you have exploding rats that are just wonderful to clean up. A good indicator that the animal is getting ready to feed again is a change in activity level. This can be hard to tell with boys sometimes because they could be looking for love rather than food. Once you get through the first season the animal will become predictable. Each animal is different so the first year of maturity becomes a guessing game. Wish I had a better answer for you but that is all I've got.
I was wondering this myself. That's what I'm doing with thawing. I offer it to Winston and if he turns it down we go down the line to the next one. In my case I haven't been able to gauge his activity level as a way of whether he wants to eat because he can be active and as soon as food is offered he balls up.
