Re: Female aggressively feed but won't eat
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bogertophis
I'm aware that you're talking about a BP- but most rat snakes don't do second clutches either. I don't breed BPs, but I don't know why that would preclude the possibility? Anyway, I offered my opinion because what you're describing is exactly what I see with my rat snakes. And btw, my 2 FL rat snakes have never bred at all- so in theory, they shouldn't be laying ANY clutches :rofl: -but they've been doing so yearly since they became adults. And I've bred plenty of snakes in the past (just not BPs) & they don't always "follow the manuals", lol. Good luck. ;) I hope your snake isn't egg-bound, & it sure couldn't hurt to offer a nest box, that was my thought- just on the chance.
I'm not discounting the idea it's not bad and I am definitely not opposed to it. I guess I'm just trying to decide what the best course of action is without trying too many things at once. For all I know she's just being weird and I'm over thinking it. Just when I seen how many times she took food and dropped it it reminded me of girls that are gravid. Thanks for the help, that's why I posted here in hopes of bouncing ideas back and forth and to get others opinions. What would you suggest to use in a nest box just some damp moss? Also had no idea about rat snakes sorry. I don't know why but I just assumed they had multiple clutches.
Re: Female aggressively feed but won't eat
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Snow Balls
Does she seem restless at all? If she is I would think she could possibly be egg bound. After the two rats did she have a bowel movement? Does she normally drop 5 eggs a season? That would also be a good indicator to see if she is egg bound since on average they lay about the same amount per year, give or take
Did have a large bowel movement between the two rats and the ones she didn't eat. It's hard to tell if she's restless at the moment she didn't seem to be at first but I can tell she wants to eat when I open her tub lately she immediately is up and at looking for food. Feeding f/t and am not 100% on last clutch size. Bought her grown around two years ago. Last year didn't breed her, this is her first year breeding for me.
Re: Female aggressively feed but won't eat
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sp0420
I'm not discounting the idea it's not bad and I am definitely not opposed to it. I guess I'm just trying to decide what the best course of action is without trying too many things at once. For all I know she's just being weird and I'm over thinking it. Just when I seen how many times she took food and dropped it it reminded me of girls that are gravid. Thanks for the help, that's why I posted here in hopes of bouncing ideas back and forth and to get others opinions. What would you suggest to use in a nest box just some damp moss? Also had no idea about rat snakes sorry. I don't know why but I just assumed they had multiple clutches.
That's the spirit in which I offered suggestions- just bouncing ideas. For sure listen to those who breed BPs. If your snake is just "being weird" I sure wish she'd say so, & clear this up. ;)
Nest box: I'd use whatever your snake laid her eggs in the time before- I'm assuming you provided a nest box of some kind? For my rat snakes, I provide a large tub (opaque) with very damp moss in it, & privacy around that (either inside or outside their tank). So they aren't able to easily see me walking by- like a towel over that end of their tank, or pieces of cardboard to block their view- whatever is easiest. Their tanks are already in a quiet bedroom, btw. Colubrids are variable as far as doing second clutches. My house seems to be under a "fertility cloud" as far as my snakes are concerned- in the past, I've had a rosy boa reproduce (they have "live" neonates, not eggs) by parthenogenesis too..."lucky me". :rolleyes: That's why I suggested keeping an open mind- strange things happen sometimes.
If your snake isn't doing a second clutch but actually has one or more retained eggs, bear in mind that duds are often smaller & softer than good eggs- that makes them much harder for a tired female to push them out, & harder for you to notice them by palpation. So a scan is truly a good idea at this point, so you know for sure. And if she did retain eggs, the intervention is usually more successful sooner rather than later. I hope you get her figured out.
Re: Female aggressively feed but won't eat
If she went to the bathroom then I think its safe to say she is empty and just being weird. Maybe someone with more experience in egg bound ball pythons than I do can correct me on this but I'm fairly certain that would mean she isn't egg bound
Re: Female aggressively feed but won't eat
Also if you have access to smaller live rodents I would try to feed her a small rat pup. Maybe that will jump start her feeding again. I also have one female whos 1300g (never been bred) who also has started to coil her prey and just leave it. Now she just flat out refuses. They're odd animals, hopefully the ultrasound will help ease your mind!
Re: Female aggressively feed but won't eat
I know that it has been a minute but I've been super busy with the animals work and narbc the other week. Just wanted to thank everyone who gave feedback when I needed it and give an update. She is definitely empty she's pounding small rats but still wants to drop and refuse anything medium or bigger. No idea why she's eating so weird lately but at least she's eating. Sometimes the snakes drive me nuts lol. Keep your fingers crossed that she starts taking bigger prey before she drains all my smalls. Thanks everyone who to the time to reply and try and help.
Sean
