How long has your ball python come off feeding for?

It's nice to see how normal it is for ball pythons to stop eating and that it's not just my little guy. He comes off feeding during the cold winter months, no matter how much I try to make his enclosure the proper temperature he still seems to know when winter rolls around and takes a break off feeding. He's gone off feeding for 7 months before and this winter it's been 6 months since he's eaten but the outdoor temperature is getting warmer now so he should resume eating soon. I remember how worried I was the first time he took a strike from eating but now I know it's normal. So for anyone new to ball pythons, I hope this thread helps with letting you know that it's totally normal and your ball python will resume eating when it feel ready to do so. Also, i know with an adult ball python that the breeding season comes into play too and they can stop eating due to the breeding season too. As long as your ball python doesn't lose too much weight, a strike off feeding is just fine for them. :)

Just over 4 months for me. I'm sure it hurt me more than the snake. lol

6 months for me, she's 24 now, but in her earlier years she never used to go that long over winter without food.
So I think age might play a part, or at least size.

I think 7.5 months the first time mine went off food? Like November through May if I remember correctly. Had me tearing my hair out


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My two girls are going on their 3rd<+ month .. i want to say Feb 8th was their last meals.. but I am just hoping to get my new male soon to see if this is a breeding ting or they are just being picky .. I still offer but only 1 F/T for both them.. if they don't eat it.. in to the garbage disposal's cage.. Hollow always is eating their leftovers lol

My adult male ball python of 5 years old has finally resumed feeding after taking 7 months off for the second time in his life. I had recently got a new batch of F/T rats and tried one for the first time, maybe he can tell when the rats are freezer burnt. Also, it was the first time my husband tried feeding him after I failed to get him to eat. My husband was a bit more "aggressive" with the rat, he would touch his neck and body which made him attack the rat then eat it. I was always too gentle with him as every time I touched him with the rat he would just back up and cower. With persistence my husband was able to show me that if he gets cornered and touched somewhere a rat really shouldn't get to like the neck or stomach he will strike at it. I'm just glad my little Crowley finally started eating again after 7 months off. :)

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Originally Posted by Valyndris

just wondering how long everyone's ball pythons have come off feeding for. Mine has gone 7 months without eating, but he seems fine, no weight loss. Just wondering what's normal for a ball python as I know they are binge eaters.

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I had an Albino Royal go 9 months without eating ... then suddenly looked dehydrated.. I gave her a 30 minute soak and she immediately looked plumper , more colourful AND she ate the very NEXT day !!

She’s ate well ever since


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My male is going 3-4 months and I expect him to go a little longer as he had shown no interest at all to eat but to look for girls and do what beeps do. Barely lost any weight.

Our pastel banana boy ate last night for the first time in 5 1/2 months.

We barely saw him during the entire time and then yesterday he had his head out of the hide with that predatory gleam in his eye. I warmed up a rat and boom, his fast was over.

I should note that he only lost around 50 grams during the entire fast.