My snake is off eating for the winter.....

Recently, when I feed my snake it has no interest what-so-ever in eating the mice....it just ignores them and goes into one of its hides.....this is a common winter thing with BP's right??

how long should I wait before I attempt to feed the snake again??

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

Recently, when I feed my snake it has no interest what-so-ever in eating the mice....it just ignores them and goes into one of its hides.....this is a common winter thing with BP's right??

how long should I wait before I attempt to feed the snake again??

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Well if your ball python is an adult then yes its a common thing most of the time.Now have you changed anything? I.E. moved enclosure,changed temps and such.If your snake is not an adult then you might want to check your temps and fix what is wrong.By the way WELCOME to owning a ball python :8: :P they just love driving us crazy :rolleye2: :rolleye2: .

I think mine might be on the cusp of going off food. I feed him a small FT rat every Tuesday night. This week, he struck like always, but wouldn't eat after taking it from my hand. After a half hour, I put him back in his tank (I use a feeding tub) and put the rat next to his hide. It was gone in the morning. I've also noticed that he's spending more time in his hides during the last month or so. I'm thinking, too, that his reluctance to eat this week may be related to the color of the rat. It was black. For some reason, he seems to prefer white ones--they've always gone down a lot quicker. Weird.

my snake is about a year old.....and i recently went off lights and went to a UTH/T-stat environment......so yeah there have def been some changes

I just went to the vet today for a check up he said it's perfectly fine for your snake to go without eating for a few months just watch his weight. This time a year can host some problems.

My female rosy boa does this every year. Drives me insane. Check the ambient temps and make sure they are in the low 80's. Ambient temps can be an issue this time of year.

My own personal experience? Nope, it's not really normal for a healthy ball python to fast if all your husbandry is correct. I've got babies, juvies and adults in my collection. Not a faster among them this entire winter.

From my own experience if your husbandry is spot on (proper sized enclosure, proper sized hides, consistent temps, no overhandling, no overfeeding) they will eat every week for you.

Last year I had a faster - it was the only one kept in a 20 gallon long with hides too big, and temps that fluctuated with the room temps. All the others ate every week (in a rack and tub set-ups). Put him in a tub with small tight hides, and he broke his fast and has not fasted this winter.

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

my snake is about a year old.....and i recently went off lights and went to a UTH/T-stat environment......so yeah there have def been some changes

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Yep thats all it takes to "reset" his eating drive if you will lol.

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

how long should I wait before I attempt to feed the snake again??

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Try again the following week on your regular feeding day. If you don't have a set, regular feeding day, it would be an excellent idea to make one and stick with it. Continue trying weekly and if he continues to refuse, you can move to making attempts every two weeks until he's ready to eat.

In the meantime...take a good, close look at your husbandry and make sure everything is exactly as it should be.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Try again the following week on your regular feeding day. If you don't have a set, regular feeding day, it would be an excellent idea to make one and stick with it. Continue trying weekly and if he continues to refuse, you can move to making attempts every two weeks until he's ready to eat.

In the meantime...take a good, close look at your husbandry and make sure everything is exactly as it should be.

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well the cool side of my tank isnt warm enough....i need to somehow get that up

Oil. Filled. Space. Heater.

34.99 at any walmart.

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

well the cool side of my tank isnt warm enough....i need to somehow get that up

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True. A space heater placed nearby might help. Or a second UTH placed under the "cool" side, controlled with either another t-stat or a rheostat.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Or a second UTH placed under the "cool" side, controlled with either another t-stat or a rheostat.

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Yeah, but it still won't change the fact that the room is too cold (probably the number 1 reason for low temps in the first place)...fix that, and the heating setup that he/she already has can work more efficiently.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Oil. Filled. Space. Heater.

34.99 at any walmart.

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arent those things huge??

i dont have a walmart anywhere near my town so where can I get it online?

Here ya go...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4383649

You could also try placing a towel over the screen top. I do that on all my cages. It will help with the air temps.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Oil. Filled. Space. Heater.

34.99 at any walmart.

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Thermo. Stat. $70-135. Jacks the price up a little, don't you think? I've heard the thermostats on those heaters are pretty unreliable.

When they refuse a meal, I like to wait a good ten days or so before offering another. I have been fortunate in the fact that none of mine are off-feed this year; the ones that are breeding actually seem to have a heightened feeding response when I give them a few days' rest between breedings for feeding and respite..
As for your husbandry.. you say your hot side is not warm enough; I think this is something you need to solve right away!

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

When they refuse a meal, I like to wait a good ten days or so before offering another. I have been fortunate in the fact that none of mine are off-feed this year; the ones that are breeding actually seem to have a heightened feeding response when I give them a few days' rest between breedings for feeding and respite..
As for your husbandry.. you say your hot side is not warm enough; I think this is something you need to solve right away!

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not my hot side, my cool side, its like 70 degrees, my hot side is like 92-93

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Originally Posted by JasonGranger

Thermo. Stat. $70-135. Jacks the price up a little, don't you think? I've heard the thermostats on those heaters are pretty unreliable.

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do i really need a t-stat for the space heater? :eek:

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Here ya go...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4383649

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that thing looks huge, how much room will that take up?

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

not my hot side, my cool side, its like 70 degrees, my hot side is like 92-93

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Your cool side is 70? That's WAY too low. Cool side should be 84.

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Originally Posted by Vomitore

Your cool side is 70? That's WAY too low. Cool side should be 84.

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yeah I know, thats why im going to either buy a space heater or another t-stat and UTH....but do u kno if i need a t-stat for the space heater?

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

yeah I know, thats why im going to either buy a space heater or another t-stat and UTH....but do u kno if i need a t-stat for the space heater?

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Most newer space heaters have a t-stat on em.

Ryan, check out Best Buy. Look in their appliance section. They have a nice selection of electric space heaters that are very slim and trim. Don't take up much space at all, and they look nice. We had to buy two to help keep the downstairs warm enough during the freezing weather we had, and they work very nicely.

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

that thing looks huge, how much room will that take up?

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They are about 2 1/2 ft high and about 4-5 in. wide.

You realize that you place it outside of the cage, right?

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

They are about 2 1/2 ft high and about 4-5 in. wide.

You realize that you place it outside of the cage, right?

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lol YES

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Originally Posted by JLC

Ryan, check out Best Buy. Look in their appliance section. They have a nice selection of electric space heaters that are very slim and trim. Don't take up much space at all, and they look nice. We had to buy two to help keep the downstairs warm enough during the freezing weather we had, and they work very nicely.

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http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage...&type=category

^^^which ones of those are space heaters?

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage...&type=category

^^^which ones of those are space heaters?

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Looks to me like they all are. Of those, the two I bought are:

Honeywell -- Safety Sentinal Portable Heater ...and...
Honeywell -- Safety Sentinal Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater

The "footprint" on that tower is only about 7" or 8" and it's about 2' tall. The other one is only about a foot tall, but also about a foot wide at the base. Still, neither of them take up much space at all, and they both do a very nice job of warming a good sized room.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Looks to me like they all are. Of those, the two I bought are:

Honeywell -- Safety Sentinal Portable Heater ...and...
Honeywell -- Safety Sentinal Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater

The "footprint" on that tower is only about 7" or 8" and it's about 2' tall. The other one is only about a foot tall, but also about a foot wide at the base. Still, neither of them take up much space at all, and they both do a very nice job of warming a good sized room.

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i thought they just heat the certain part of the room that needs heating, not the entire room

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

i thought they just heat the certain part of the room that needs heating, not the entire room

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Well, certainly the space around them and immediately in front of the fan will be the warmest and benefit most. The one here in our office (the shorter one) I have set up beside my desk so I can point it my direction if I'm feeling really chilly...but the whole room feels warmer for having it in here. Not steamy or even toasty...but far from bone chilling any more.

You wouldn't set something like this right next to your BP enclosure...it should be at least several feet away, and just pointed in that general direction. It can get quite hot right up close.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Well, certainly the space around them and immediately in front of the fan will be the warmest and benefit most. The one here in our office (the shorter one) I have set up beside my desk so I can point it my direction if I'm feeling really chilly...but the whole room feels warmer for having it in here. Not steamy or even toasty...but far from bone chilling any more.

You wouldn't set something like this right next to your BP enclosure...it should be at least several feet away, and just pointed in that general direction. It can get quite hot right up close.

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im thinking about getting that shorter portable one, what temp do you think i would have to set that at to get it correct on my cool side?

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

im thinking about getting that shorter portable one, what temp do you think i would have to set that at to get it correct on my cool side?

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I can't even begin to guess, Ryan...since I have no idea how it will interact with your room and its space. Just play with it. That particular model doesn't have a "degree" dial on it...just a dial with general numbers that you turn for warm, warmer, or warmest kind of settings. The taller oscillating one has temps you can actually dial in.

However...this little one is working fine for me and helping my own BP's enclosure stay warm enough. I just monitor the temps in her tank and adjust the heater as necessary. You know....play with it a bit. ;)

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Originally Posted by JLC

I can't even begin to guess, Ryan...since I have no idea how it will interact with your room and its space. Just play with it. That particular model doesn't have a "degree" dial on it...just a dial with general numbers that you turn for warm, warmer, or warmest kind of settings. The taller oscillating one has temps you can actually dial in.

However...this little one is working fine for me and helping my own BP's enclosure stay warm enough. I just monitor the temps in her tank and adjust the heater as necessary. You know....play with it a bit. ;)

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yeah, im gonna buy that one and see how it works for me.....thanks for the help J

i didnt realize getting a heater would be costing my parents another $20 or more every month to run it :(


would it save money if i just got another UTH and Ranco?

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

i didnt realize getting a heater would be costing my parents another $20 or more every month to run it :(


would it save money if i just got another UTH and Ranco?

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Where did you get that figure from?

A UTH might get the cool side to the proper temp, but it might not be enough to get the ambient temperature right. It isn't with my set-up. So I have a space heater and high utility bills. That's life--which is certainly better than death. If it comes down to it, if you can't get the temps where they need to be without a space heater, you're going to have to come up with a way to get $20 a month to reimburse your folks, or they're going to have to pay the extra money, or you're going to have to get the snake a new home with someone who can afford proper husbandry. It's really as simple as that. Keeping a snake, or any animal for that matter, that you can't afford to care for properly is not an option. It just isn't. I don't know what your situation is, but twenty bucks a month isn't that much. The heating bill for my snake is a lot higher than that.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Where did you get that figure from?

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my dad told me to run my sisters heater in her room is like an extra $20 a month or something

whatever, i have a job, i guess ill just have to put that money out

Before you shell out that $20:

To estimate electric cost for any typical single-phase device, multiply amps by volts. The result is watts per hour. Divide by 1,000 to get kWh. Then find out how much you currently pay per kilowatthour (kWh) by looking at your power bill (find the total for the month and divide that by the number of kWh used; this way it will include taxes and fuel surcharges). Then calculate your cost by kWh by multiplying watts by the number of hours per month you plan to run the pump. This number is your kWh used. Multiply this number by your electrical company's kWh rate. You now have your monthly electric cost for that device.

http://www.gardenstew.com/blog/e748-...r-gardens.html

nevermind, my parents said I cant buy another heater, they dont want it left on all day everyday, i guess im buying another t-stat/UTH

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Originally Posted by rabernet

My own personal experience? Nope, it's not really normal for a healthy ball python to fast if all your husbandry is correct. I've got babies, juvies and adults in my collection. Not a faster among them this entire winter.

From my own experience if your husbandry is spot on (proper sized enclosure, proper sized hides, consistent temps, no overhandling, no overfeeding) they will eat every week for you.

Last year I had a faster - it was the only one kept in a 20 gallon long with hides too big, and temps that fluctuated with the room temps. All the others ate every week (in a rack and tub set-ups). Put him in a tub with small tight hides, and he broke his fast and has not fasted this winter.

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"Many ball pythons that have been eating regularly will stop feeding in the winter and will most likely not begin feeding again until late Spring. Although nerve racking to the owner, this is typical ball python behavior. Unless your snake is younger than one year of age or under weight, this fast should not pose any problems for your snake." - The Sutherland's

"Some ball pythons, especially wild caught animals, will fast from time to time even though they had been feeding regularly. This is not usually cause for alarm. Make sure all the cage parameters are correct, continue to offer food weekly, and be patient. Most resume feeding after a while." - Bob Clark

"There are periods of time during the year when fasting is common. Sometimes the fast can last several months and seems to be part of the normal life cycle of a Ball Python." - Mike Wilbanks

"Be prepared for the possibility of your snake going off feed, and keep an observant eye on the snake's overall condition and body weight. This is typically nothing to worry about with healthy, well established pythons, although it can be extremely frustrating to the keeper. If your snake is healthy continue your husbandry routine as usual, yet reduce the amount of handling the snake receives to a minimum. Offer your ball python food every 10-14 days until interested in eating again, as the snake will eventually "turn back on" and resume feeding normally." - NERD

Considering the experience and credibility of these guys, I'd consider fasting a fairly normal occurence in Ball Pythons. As long as all your other husbandry issues are correct I wouldn't worry about it...:)

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Originally Posted by sho220

"Many ball pythons that have been eating regularly will stop feeding in the winter and will most likely not begin feeding again until late Spring. Although nerve racking to the owner, this is typical ball python behavior. Unless your snake is younger than one year of age or under weight, this fast should not pose any problems for your snake." - The Sutherland's

"Some ball pythons, especially wild caught animals, will fast from time to time even though they had been feeding regularly. This is not usually cause for alarm. Make sure all the cage parameters are correct, continue to offer food weekly, and be patient. Most resume feeding after a while." - Bob Clark

"There are periods of time during the year when fasting is common. Sometimes the fast can last several months and seems to be part of the normal life cycle of a Ball Python." - Mike Wilbanks

"Be prepared for the possibility of your snake going off feed, and keep an observant eye on the snake's overall condition and body weight. This is typically nothing to worry about with healthy, well established pythons, although it can be extremely frustrating to the keeper. If your snake is healthy continue your husbandry routine as usual, yet reduce the amount of handling the snake receives to a minimum. Offer your ball python food every 10-14 days until interested in eating again, as the snake will eventually "turn back on" and resume feeding normally." - NERD

Considering the experience and credibility of these guys, I'd consider fasting a fairly normal occurence in Ball Pythons. As long as all your other husbandry issues are correct I wouldn't worry about it...:)

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Yep, I second that thought. Go thru it every winter. Have for going on 4 yrs now. Vet told me the same as all the other quotes up there.
It is what it is, period.