Not eating.

So I have a male pied 900g who's going on 85 days of not eating. His husbandry is good. Tried a smaller tub and put him with his girlfriend. I've tried both live and pre killed mice and rats of various sizes and colors. Im not finding any waste in his tub but he does not appear dehydrated. He just shed also. Any other tricks? When do I really start to worry? When does a forced feed become an option?

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Most likely he's just doing what ball pythons are notorious for: fasting. Ball pythons can fast for several months and still be fine. If he doesn't want to eat and doesn't feel the need to, he isn't going to. Just keep track of his weight.

Honestly, if I were you I would just leave him alone, doing all of that is probably stressing him out.

When I have a picky eater, I just leave the f/t in the tub over night. And 99% of the time its gone. But he could just be on a fast. He could go for 3 more months without eating and be fine. But him just shedding is a good thing. Just my 2 cents.

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His breeder is the one who told me to try a smaller tub and put him with the female. I'm waiting a week in between offerings and leaving him alone.

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Originally Posted by mrspoindexter

When I have a picky eater, I just leave the f/t in the tub over night. And 99% of the time its gone. But he could just be on a fast. He could go for 3 more months without eating and be fine. But him just shedding is a good thing. Just my 2 cents.

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Tried that. No luck. Tried a crawler too.

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Well in this case. Just give him time. He will come around.

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Just a little concerned about the lack of waste and that we're approaching 90 days.

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My normal went 9 months without eating. I was told to turn off light, turn off uth, etc. I ignored them and still tried to feed once a week like usual. Last month she started eating again. Offer food once a week till he/she decides it's hungry again.

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Offer once a week until they start eating. I've got a male that'll go 7-9 months every year without eating.


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Originally Posted by DaNeal31

His breeder is the one who told me to try a smaller tub and put him with the female. I'm waiting a week in between offerings and leaving him alone.

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Well if the breeder told you to put him in a smaller tub that's ok. But to put him in with a female is a guarantee he isn't going to want to eat. He will want to breed with the female. 900grams is a great weight, just make sure to monitor any weight losses if he continues to refuse meals. Either you want to breed him or you want to get him back on food.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Well if the breeder told you to put him in a smaller tub that's ok. But to put him in with a female is a guarantee he isn't going to want to eat. He will want to breed with the female. 900grams is a great weight, just make sure to monitor any weight losses if he continues to refuse meals. Either you want to breed him or you want to get him back on food.

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His breeder says he stops every year and after he's with her he usually starts eating again.

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Originally Posted by BMorrison

Offer once a week until they start eating. I've got a male that'll go 7-9 months every year without eating.


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Ugh... but it bothers me so much lol.

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Originally Posted by DaNeal31

His breeder says he stops every year and after he's with her he usually starts eating again.

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Ok. Then I would go with that. That's understandable.

It's frustrating no doubt. Welcome to the world of ball pythons [emoji12]


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Originally Posted by DaNeal31

Just a little concerned about the lack of waste and that we're approaching 90 days

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If there's nothing going in, there won't be anything to come out.

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Originally Posted by Slim

If there's nothing going in, there won't be anything to come out.

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He has to be drinking...

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Originally Posted by DaNeal31

He has to be drinking...

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They can hold it for quite some time. What's your substrate?

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Originally Posted by Slim

They can hold it for quite some time. What's your substrate?

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Reptichip.

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Gottcha. If you really want to know if he's peeing, you can always move him to white paper towel. No hiding the evidence.

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Originally Posted by Slim

Gottcha. If you really want to know if he's peeing, you can always move him to white paper towel. No hiding the evidence.

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I have paper towels under the reptichip lol

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