Need help

I got a mature ball, female in January she came in at 740g, I gave her a just killed mouse and she ate it but did not wanted more, 2 days latter she ate a F/T, and that was it for 3 months, nothing!!, I figured she was hibernating and a week ago she shed, I put her in a dark tub full of mice smell, for about 3 hours then tried with a F/T, and she would not eat, out of frustration I gave her a live one and she ate it and then another (wish is very little for her size), but at least she ate something, she defecated 2 days ago and tried the same thing tonight, but she would not eat again!! I know her temp, and humidity is right, my other balls eat perfect!!, what should I do!!, thanks

Each snake is different. Not all snakes eat with a regular pattern all the time. I would attempt to feed once a week. if your snake doesn't eat that week, try again next week. As has been stated before in other posts, trying constantly to get your snake to eat can cause them more stress than if you just try once a week. The more stressed your snake gets, the less chance you have of getting it to feed regularly. Patience is rewarded when to comes to feeding your pet.

Ball pythons can be picky eaters. A lot of people feed them live prey instead of pre-killed or frozen-thawed because of this reason. Personally, I feed all of my ball pythons live prey.

The main reason that most balls go off feed is because they are stressed out. What I, and many other people, do to make them feel more secure is put them in smaller enclosures. I keep balls that are around 750 grams in 28 quart Sterilte, or 32 quart Iris tubs, in rack systems. I like the rack systems because all sides, except for the front, is closed. So they feel like they are hiding all of the time.

What type of enclosure are you keeping her in?

First thing I would say is to recheck the sex. Plenty of times Male Ball pythons will reach their "happy" weight, and call it quits. I have a 4 year old Spider male that weighs about 750 grams, and only eats 4-5 times a year. He breeds like a champ, and I guess he is at his mature weight, and doesn't feel the need to get any bigger. If it is indeed a female, then my first suggestion would be to offer food a bit less frequently. It sounds from your original post like you are trying to feed every 4 or 5 days. I would back off to a 10 day feeding schedule until you get her back to eating regularly.

Just my .02,

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Originally Posted by muddoc

First thing I would say is to recheck the sex. Plenty of times Male Ball pythons will reach their "happy" weight, and call it quits. I have a 4 year old Spider male that weighs about 750 grams, and only eats 4-5 times a year. He breeds like a champ, and I guess he is at his mature weight, and doesn't feel the need to get any bigger. If it is indeed a female, then my first suggestion would be to offer food a bit less frequently. It sounds from your original post like you are trying to feed every 4 or 5 days. I would back off to a 10 day feeding schedule until you get her back to eating regularly.

Just my .02,

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Great post Tim. But I'm curious about the "happy weight" for males. I was thinking about twice that?

I have some BP's that will eat prekilled and others that have never touch anything prekilled but once a live rodent is introduced it is eaten immediately. Like Tim said it could be a boy or it just may not be a fan of prekilled, try feeing live every 10 days or so.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

Ball pythons can be picky eaters. A lot of people feed them live prey instead of pre-killed or frozen-thawed because of this reason. Personally, I feed all of my ball pythons live prey.
rhanks, they had her eating prekill, but she doesent want it now
The main reason that most balls go off feed is because they are stressed out. What I, and many other people, do to make them feel more secure is put them in smaller enclosures. I keep balls that are around 750 grams in 28 quart Sterilte, or 32 quart Iris tubs, in rack systems. I like the rack systems because all sides, except for the front, is closed. So they feel like they are hiding all of the time.
What type of enclosure are you keeping her in?

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shes in a large cage, but I will move her to the rack, to mimic how she was raised for 2 years, makes a lot of sence, thanks!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muddoc

First thing I would say is to recheck the sex. Plenty of times Male Ball pythons will reach their "happy" weight, and call it quits. I have a 4 year old Spider male that weighs about 750 grams, and only eats 4-5 times a year. He breeds like a champ, and I guess he is at his mature weight, and doesn't feel the need to get any bigger. If it is indeed a female, then my first suggestion would be to offer food a bit less frequently. It sounds from your original post like you are trying to feed every 4 or 5 days. I would back off to a 10 day feeding schedule until you get her back to eating regularl
Just my .02,

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Yea its been 10 days between eating and only in january I tried 3 days apart once, thanks

moving her to the smaller rack tub, was the trick, she had 4 mice tonight with out a hitch, Thanks for the great advice!!

Good to hear you got her eating again!

It is always nice when someone comes asking for advice, takes that advice, and solves the problem! :)