Not eating- on going

I posted on the general python board last week that my 1 yr old ball hasnt eaten in over 4 weeks, now we are on 5 weeks - I am not trying to stress about it since I have been reassured with the colder weather/ barametric pressure change ,this is normal... but he has gone from a consistant weekly feeder to not interested and runs away from the rat (we feed live) really bothers me!! ... the thing that is confusing to me is his level of activity... I would assume with his lack of eating / cooler temps outside- that it would be time to hide in the hole and hibernate... not the case... he is so active even in the AM and throughout the day.... this behavior seems abnormal to me. I had him out last night to soak as he is turning blue, and he was just cruzing all over the place that i had to hold him down in the tub to soak... he just cant be still...

So, just wondering if this over active behavior has been seen amongst others, the signs are the same as when he is hungry/ hunting... but he is still refusing food....

I have a call into a new vet... the one I had originally been referred to is no longer in practice, so now I am also trying to find someone that does reptiles here North of Seattle... any referalls are greatly appreciated.. i dont mind travelling a little to a good vet...

Any insite/ suggestions are greatly appreciated....

What size rat are you feeding your bp now? My BP's went on a 2 month hunger strike this past winter, so I tried offering rats that were a size smaller than what I normally feed them and they started feeding again. If you wanted to, you could also try to entice them into eating a few jumbo mice (if your bps an adult, if not, then one or two jumbo mice should be fine). But as a caution, you might have to deal with hastles from switching back to rats later on.

Not sure how to term on here how old a rat we feed... it was probably 3 weeks old,now 4 going on 5 weeks... size is bigger than a large adult mouse (its a handful) ..someone suggested that we dip the head into chicken broth, but it didnt phase my BP...

He is just under 4 ft... my scale is broken so need to find out how much he weighs now...

We had to switch one time back to mice when my supplier didnt have the size rat we needed and had big issues getting him to take a rat again... I was advised that due to his size he needs a rat (more calcium) ... is this true, could we stick to 2 adult mice...? That is what he was eating before we switched to rat...

There's absolutely nothing wrong with feeding your BP strictly mice. Many members here feed mice only. If that's what your BP eats, feed it to him! Lol. They are notorious for being imprint feeders, and usually will only stick to what they have grown up on. I personally don't like to feed live mice because it takes too long to feed multiple prey items to 4 snakes. You said that your BP is 4 foot long? I think 3 or 4 jumbo mice would be the best bet to feed to a BP that size. But don't take my word on it. Someone will mosey on over into this thread and will be more knowledgeable on how many mice you should feed him.

Not really sure what's going on with your snake, but I can give you the tale of what happened to two of mine that is similar:

My pickiest feeder started out on live hoppers/small mice and she attacked them with great enthusiasm and regularity. Then, out of the blue in fall she stopped and seemed almost afraid of the mouse. I tried lots of things to get her to resume eating but she wouldn't have it. Finally in desperation I tried offering her a pre-killed mouse slightly smaller than what she had been getting. WHAM! She took that thing faster than I'd ever seen her strike. My guess is that for some reason she became afraid of the live prey.

Also, this is simply the season for refusals. Even when not ready to breed, BPs will often refuse food in colder months sometimes for the whole winter.

As for prey type/size, a snake that is that long is most likely an adult of well over 1000g (or a really skinny but long one). In that case, 2 adult mice would not be enough. You really should try to find a way to weigh your snake again, since going by the '10% of weight' rule seems a sound way to determine prey size.

thanks for your input... he was 1000g about 2 weeks ago... so i am going to shop for a scale today... and get 2 adult mice... or maybe just one to see if he is even interested... my house is looking like a rodent farm ...

Any ideas as to his unusual high level of activity? I just find it so strange... not eating and all....

On another note, it seems he has stopped in the middle of his shed mode... I soaked him two days ago when he was turning blue, but nothing has happened since... raised the humidiy/temp... hum....?

Sorry miss typed... he was 1200g two weeks ago...

I'd be offering an 80g prey size....
Also, sounds to me like he just 'feeling his oats' at this time of year....

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Originally Posted by Kat's Toy

thanks for your input... he was 1000g about 2 weeks ago... so i am going to shop for a scale today... and get 2 adult mice... or maybe just one to see if he is even interested... my house is looking like a rodent farm ...

Any ideas as to his unusual high level of activity? I just find it so strange... not eating and all....

On another note, it seems he has stopped in the middle of his shed mode... I soaked him two days ago when he was turning blue, but nothing has happened since... raised the humidiy/temp... hum....?

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Maybe he wants to breed.

Breed???? wow I guess I thought he'd be too young for that.... he's only one... anything to do to relieve the "need" ? My first and only BP here....

Okay, so I just re educated myself on my male... in my mind, I had them pegged for 2-3 years for mature breeding... when we did our research before we bought him (about 15 month ago...) I know we reviewed the information, but seeing as at that point we had no intentions to breed, it slipped my mind... so his behavior is making more sense to me if that is the case.

As we have grown so attached to him, the thought crossed our minds to get one or two more as we enjoy him so very much... it would be exciting to see what he would produce...

thanks again for all your advice/suggestions..

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Originally Posted by Kat's Toy

Breed???? wow I guess I thought he'd be too young for that.... he's only one... anything to do to relieve the "need" ? My first and only BP here....

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Yes, the first thing I thought when you were saying that he wasn't eating was he was just coming to sexual maturity.

Since you don't intend to breed, don't worry about it. At a year old, he should be fine a month or two without food and he will go back to eating one way or the other. Theres nothing you can really do except make him feel as safe and comfortable as possible.

A lot of activity could also mean stress. Make sure he's in a save dark area with enough hides, and if he's in a tank it's covered on 3 of the sides and isn't overly large. Temperatures, humidity, exct. Try feeding him mice, mine who came from a rat feeder, wouldn't eat anything except mice and I fed ASFs. So, try the mice, and if he shys away from live, try f/t.

Don't worry about a vet until he hits 3-4 months or so. :]

Sounds to me like he wants to get out and find a lady-friend. ;) 2-3 years to sexual maturity is typical for females...males can mature as early as one year, especially at the size yours is.

Here's my favorite answer to questions about fasting BP's... :)

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WHY WON'T MY SNAKE EAT?
In almost all cases, a ball python refuses to eat due to husbandry issues. Especially a young one. If your snake misses more than one meal (sometimes they won't want to eat while in shed) please check the following possible causes:

Lack of Security -- No hides, or hides that are too large or exposed (ie: half logs). They prefer dark, tight hides they barely fit into. Also, if the enclosure is too large, or too open (glass) or in a high traffic area with a lot of loud noise or movement. Another snake in the same enclosure can also cause serious security issues.

Over Handling -- Frequent intrusions into the enclosure, changes to the enclosure, and/or long frequent handling sessions can cause a shy snake to feel vulnerable and refuse to eat.

Improper Temps -- Temps that are too high or too low, or temps that fluctuate too much. Make sure you have an accurate and consistent read on your temps.

Improper Lighting -- Bright white lights shining directly into the enclosure, or 24 hour lighting can cause stress. Make sure there is some sort of day/night cycle.

Offering New Prey -- Changing prey species (ie: mice to rats) or methods (ie: live to f/t) can cause refusal. Such changes can be made, but may require patience and persistence.

Improper Offering of Prey -- Offering prey too frequently can do more harm than good. If a snake refuses, do not attempt to feed again for a week. Also, changing environments by moving to a feeding-box or removing hides and "furniture" can cause refusal in these shy snakes.

Prey Too Large -- Too large an item may intimidate a snake and cause refusal, or even a regurgitation if it is eaten. Also, if a ball python has eaten large meals in the past, it can cause a sudden an indefinite period of fasting.

Mites -- An external parasite common to snakes that must be treated and eradicated. A product called Provent-a-Mite (P.A.M.) is the safest and most effective method.

Seasonal -- Sexually mature ball pythons may fast for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months during their mating season (typically anywhere from late fall to early spring) especially if a sexually mature snake of the opposite sex is in close proximity.

Illness -- If all other possible reasons are eliminated, a vet check may be in order to look for internal parasites, as well as possible infections to the skin, scales, mouth or respiratory system.

Fortunately, ball pythons are extremely hardy snakes that can go for months (if necessary) of fasting without suffering any ill effects. This gives a responsible keeper plenty of time to figure out why the snake refuses to eat and get them on a regular, consistent feeding regimen.

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And unlike most North American snakes that have to sleep through the cold winter months....ball pythons come from parts of Africa near the equator and don't usually experience extreme seasonal temperature changes. Therefore, they don't "hibernate" like a corn snake might.

I am so thankful that I have found BP net... your replies are so helpful and encouraging, I am not worrying so much... I went through the check list... we have had him in a 30 gal setup since we have had him, 2 nice snug hides, temp/humidity consistant.... (adjusted for shed time) large water pit for him to soak/drink, no bugs, largish logs for him to climb up and rub on and hide under... the other thought I have is maybe I over handle him, but have always consistantly gotten him out 3-4 times a week- would they become more sensative to handling as they get older ??? We switched to rats about 4 months ago, of course he hasnt eaten in almost 5 weeks...

My daughter says we should find a girl to make him better... she is worried that he isnt eating too... LOL

thanks so much...