Snake won't eat!!!

Hi,

So I've had my banana ball for a little over a year and he weighs 1166g, currently. He has lost some weight because for some reason around Thanksgiving he decided he didn't want to eat anymore. He was eating 2 live small mice every week and then boom, just stopped! I am one who chooses to feed live and watch the entire time he eats to make sure there's no issues and he is safe. One person had suggested that since he turned a year, he might have stopped because he was getting his sperm plugs and whatnot. He just shed even though he hasn't eaten in a couple months, so I thought for sure he would eat today, but nope. I was thinking he could somehow sense the season change and was in some sort of hibernation mode, but I doubt that. Any advice would be appreciated, and hopefully he doesn't starve himself.


Thanks,

ssecrest77

It's pretty normal for some ball pythons to fast in the winter. Did you have him last winter too? Unless he starts showing signs of sickness or looks too thin, I wouldn't worry too much.

Nothing to worry about as long as he's not losing significant weight.
That's just a ball python doing what ball pythons do.

Start offering every 2 or 3 weeks until he eats again, then resume a normal feeding schedule.

He's fasting. It's winter. I'm amazed at how many people don't know this!

Taying,

Yeah, but he was younger and more eager to eat. Apparently he is winter fasting, which I didn't know they did. Good to know though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MR Snakes

He's fasting. It's winter. I'm amazed at how many people don't know this!

---

You've had a BP for a short time. Theres a lot to learn still, please dont be snooty.

MR Snakes,

Thanks for telling me. I had no idea ball pythons did this in the winter time. I knew they were picky eaters, but had no clue they could sense seasons like that. What month would you recommend me trying to feed him again? Sorry to sound so stupid.


ssecrest77

I wasn't being snooty. I was appreciative of the knowledge. I had no idea they did that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ssecrest77

I wasn't being snooty. I was appreciative of the knowledge. I had no idea they did that.

---

I apologize. I wasnt directing that towards you at all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taying

You've had a BP for a short time. Theres a lot to learn still, please dont be snooty.

---

I am sorry if I came across as snooty. I was just commenting because I've seen like 10,000 threads about this. And yes I have oodles to learn. I guess I now know to expect many threads like this every Winter. And you are wrong about one thing, I have no BP's at all.:P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ssecrest77

MR Snakes,

Thanks for telling me. I had no idea ball pythons did this in the winter time. I knew they were picky eaters, but had no clue they could sense seasons like that. What month would you recommend me trying to feed him again? Sorry to sound so stupid.


ssecrest77

---

No worries at all. No one can sound as stupid as I. On what month to start feeding again, I have no clue but I'd try and offer 1x month until he starts feeding again. Cheers

It's a big male especially at only a year which can mean he was overfed which mean he will likely fast to catch up, can also be winter and sexual maturity.

At that size he could fast for a year without issue, make sure your husbandry is optimum, downsize if you deem it necessary, and offer every two or three weeks.

I don't believe that comment was directed towards you:)

Man, I feel like I could've written this thread hahaha. I'm experiencing the same thing with my girl now, a little over a year and ~900g though. Everyone here has given me so much confidence that it's normal though and until she starts to look unhealthy, I'm going to just try and not worry. Same thing, a week or two before thanksgiving she quit eating, even though she was voracious before. So..just try to hang in there and think of the silver linings for now? Less money spent on rats..at least thats how I'm looking at it!