Not eating

UVa is not needed, there is no reason for the use with snakes.I think they are using it as it is cheap and easy they do not need to turn it off and on.

Regular light (full spectrum or not) is not usually a problem as long as correct husbandry is followed, security (hides and cover) and temps ect.

There are new studies being done about snakes and lighting but it is far from finished and far from conclusive. There is certainly animals kept healthily for long long time under 12/12 lighting. There are some older animals kept under low lighting both situations have long histories of healthy animals the long term effects are still uncertain to my knowledge animals in low light have a shorter history so it is still debatable but unless the new study come up with something new it doesn't matter either way.

Females often (not always) go off food after follicular development is complete. At the beginning of ovulation cycle. The timing in africa is typically in Nov for this to happen. It is that time in captivity it is more irregular but many breeders suggest using the african schedule.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

UVa is not needed, there is no reason for the use with snakes.I think they are using it as it is cheap and easy they do not need to turn it off and on.

Regular light (full spectrum or not) is not usually a problem as long as correct husbandry is followed, security (hides and cover) and temps ect.

There are new studies being done about snakes and lighting but it is far from finished and far from conclusive. There is certainly animals kept healthily for long long time under 12/12 lighting. There are some older animals kept under low lighting both situations have long histories of healthy animals the long term effects are still uncertain to my knowledge animals in low light have a shorter history so it is still debatable but unless the new study come up with something new it doesn't matter either way.

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There are some conclusive studies that UV is beneficial in certain species (I beleive the study I read was rough green snakes) but the species are animals that actually expose themselves to the sun quite often in the wild. Ball pythons do not since they primarily stay underground.

Ball pythons do not = all snakes. So I agree with your post if you replaced "snakes" with "ball pythons".

Blackcrystal I have read that study and one with pine snakes (I think it was a year ago...) but in no case (I am aware of) strictly long wave UVa light was used in the study. My comments were directed to the use of long wave 'black light' bulbs. There are some reptiles that need UV but they require A and B not just A. My comments were prompted by was about using those black light bulbs used in some pet stores and serving little to no purpose. The use of short wave UVB and C bulbs is dangerous to both human and snakes as it is too much UV with too little visual and is well know to cause retina damage.

I would love to read any information you may have on the subject as if it gets refined it could have a profound impact on the hobby.

Get a digital food scale and start tracking her weight. If she doesn't lose significant weight, she should be fine. I've heard of bp's going on fast for as much as 9 months and being completely fine after. As long as the husbandry is right, ball pythons arent stupid and wont starve themselves to death if food is offered regularly. Just keep offering and eventually she will take it.