Reason for Refusing?

So this is the first time I have ever had a ball python refuse multiple meals in a row. She's refused 4 rats all with at least 10 days in between. She is a super picky eater and wont eat if shes had a meal within the last week.. so I moved it to 10 days in between meals but she hasn't eaten the last 4 rats I have offered. Her husbandry is perfect, I haven't changed a thing.. same size meals as usual.

What I thought was really weird was that the first 3 refused meals, she was at least interested. She would poke it with her nose, and circle around it.. but wouldn't strike. This last meal that I tried tonight, zero interest. Didn't even come out of the hide. Didn't even move. Whats going on?

I don't know, this is also happening with my girl. But...BPs will be BPs, we'll just have to wait it out. I've wasted 3 rats so far..:taz:

Maybe this means I need to get another snake to eat the rats she refuses :D

Could be a sign...!:)

It sounds like you may be trying to feed to often. When you say things are perfect, what are the exact temps in the enclosure? What type of enclosure are you housing the snake in?

Is the snake at or around 1000gm ? In my experience they hit this point and 'puberty' kicks in and they turn into frustration monsters. They seem to stop feeding at this point for a while and then start back up all of a sudden. No rhyme or reason, if the animal is over 1000gm it could be just breeding season stoppage as well.

Just in case double check all your husbandry and make sure everything is good I might also use a different thermometer hygrometer than the one you typically use they often change after a while (dust and dirt change the resistance and therefore the readings.)

What are you feeding her, f/t, p/k, or live? If not live, try offering her a live rat. That might get her interest, also if she doesn't eat it, just take it out. No wasted rat. ;)

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Is the snake at or around 1000gm ? In my experience they hit this point and 'puberty' kicks in and they turn into frustration monsters. They seem to stop feeding at this point for a while and then start back up all of a sudden. No rhyme or reason, if the animal is over 1000gm it could be just breeding season stoppage as well.

Just in case double check all your husbandry and make sure everything is good I might also use a different thermometer hygrometer than the one you typically use they often change after a while (dust and dirt change the resistance and therefore the readings.)

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Ohhhhhh yaaaaa I remember reading about this! She's just over 1100 grams

Welcome to owning BPs. They can be very frustating. I sometimes try changing the time of day I feed to see if they are more apt to hit at various times.

I have found that the 1000gm stoppage can be a few weeks to a few months. Weigh her and keep records of the weights. I check the interest level of the snake if they show zero interest when the room is well pre-scented I often will skip. After a couple of skips I'll offer regardless (I feed weekly so every 2 weeks I offer interest or no) if the weights stay basically the same and the snake is behaving normally there is no cause for concern.

This is happening for me currently. Very frustrating as I thought I would be able to pair my ghost coming soon the way she was eating prior to 1100g. She was AGGRESSIVE jumping out of the tub after rats before, now she jerks into the corner like it's the most disgusting, terrifying thing she's ever seen.

My solution is only thawing 2 sm/med rats for 3 1000+g snakes. I offer her first, then my pewter. If either of them refuse I feed the bee who is ALWAYS ready to eat. I got tired of wasting rats and sure as day she is still refusing and I'm not wasting.