Is winter anorexia a real thing? And how often should I offer food?

So Ghost last ate on December 17^th. Then he started shedding. He usually eats every week with no issues whatsoever. I offered food when his eyes were cloudy (on December 26^th). He definitely seemed interested, but did not strike the rat. I thought it was his sight, and so I left the rat in the enclosure where I usually leave it. It is in a spot where he can best gear up and strike it. (He has always found it in the past, even during shed).

The next morning, the rat was still there. I threw it into the back of my yard. (A fox or raccoon happily took it. I saw snow tracks a few days later). Three days later (December 29^th), he completed his shed, which was almost in one piece. He was showing his usual signs that he shows when he’s hungry. (ie: Poking his head out of his hide, and looking at the corner where food usually appears in strike pose.) That night I offered food again. The same thing happened. He showed interest, but would not strike. I left it in the same corner. Again, it was there the next morning.

I’ve kept a close eye on the heat in his enclosure. The warm side is usually around 88 or 90 degrees, and the cool side is in the 80s. I’ve recently changed his substrate to Reptile Prime dust free Coconut husk, but he’s eaten since I’ve done that. I live in the Midwest, and it’s been bitterly cold the last few weeks. The humidity has been difficult to keep at an appropriate level, but I’ve been diligent with spraying and using a wet towel. His shed looked good. I will be getting a more appropriate Animal Plastics enclosure at some point within the next few months, but I’ve estimated the total cost to be over $300, so it will still be a little while on that.There are no signs of respiratory issues.

I’ve heard of winter anorexia, but I’m curious as to how many people have witnessed this with their own ball pythons. I’ve heard that it can happen because of decreased sunlight. I don’t know the validity of that.
I’ve only had him since July, so this is my first winter with him. (He is 2.5 years old).

How often should I be offering him food? I don’t want to stress him out, and I also don’t want to keep wasting rats. Also, is there anything that I can be doing differently to help him through the winter? I know this is a super common problem, but I am a little concerned, nonetheless.

Change in barometric pressure, temperatures and sexual maturity during this time of the year are likely to affect BP, now there are things that can be done to help such as downsizing the enclosure, changing substrate, changing temps but in general patience is really key.

BP are very efficient and if your animal does not seem interested instead of offering weekly, I would offer biweekly or even monthly and in the mean time make sure your husbandry is optimum.

everything Deborah said is spot-on, and yes it's real. i've been offering my 3y/o 900g+ male monthly since november, and he's fasted the past winter as well. seems he has other things on mind...

I feel it is also might not be a bad thing to fast mature ball pythons. I decided to not this winter and regretted it. Now I have mine on a semi fast to get him back down in weight a bit. I think a month or so off in winter when you have a mature older ball python might not be a bad thing. Mine put on a little around the mid section and had a time getting into his hide LMAO

My youngest female is still pounding rats weekly- my slightly older two have gone on winter fast. Scary at first but they both are drinking water still and out and about at night. This past week they're finally poking heads out on feeding day so hopefully soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SDA

I feel it is also might not be a bad thing to fast mature ball pythons. I decided to not this winter and regretted it. Now I have mine on a semi fast to get him back down in weight a bit. I think a month or so off in winter when you have a mature older ball python might not be a bad thing. Mine put on a little around the mid section and had a time getting into his hide LMAO

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Wisdom. [emoji846]


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Thank you all for the responses! These were very helpful, and make me feel much better. I tried to feed him last night once again, because he was showing signs of wanting to eat. He got into strike position and everything, but ended up turning around, and going back into his hide. I refroze the rat, and will wait 2 weeks before trying again.