HELP! My Ball Python hasn't eaten in months

[el8ch]

Does it make a difference whether or not I take her out and hold her for a bit first, kind of get her moving before I put her back in to feed her? Or should I just plop in the food, and not touch her right before?

I wouldn't do any handling before feeding. Keep handling to a minimum until she is feeding good for you again, you may be unknowingly stressing her out. I have found that I have much more success feeding in their enclosure where they feel comfortable instead of feeding in a seperate container.

[BPNewb]

Ok, I'll boost them to that, see how that goes ... the temps I posted earlier were measured from the middle of the cage.

You should boost your temps. Cools side should be right around 80 with your hot side at 90!

[Kaorte]

I agree, I don't handle my snakes when they aren't eating, other than to clean the tub and take weights. Wether we like it or not, snakes can get stressed from handling.

Do you happen to have a picture of your setup? Also, are you using a thermostat with your heat sources? What kind of thermometers are you using?

Sorry for being so nit picky, but these details could mean the difference between your snake eating and not.

Is your snake fairly active? What kind of hides do you have? Is the snake in the hides more often than not?

[BPNewb]

No problem for being nit picky, if I'm doing something less than optimal, I want to know so I can fix it!

I don't have any pictures off hand of the set up in it's entirety, I'll have to take a picture when I get home - at which point I can tel you the kind of thermometer I have (it's a digital one, that is linked up to a thermostat.)

Her activity level has been on and off, but usually only at night; then she's in the hides all day. She'll come out and crawl around at night.

I agree, I don't handle my snakes when they aren't eating, other than to clean the tub and take weights. Wether we like it or not, snakes can get stressed from handling.

Do you happen to have a picture of your setup? Also, are you using a thermostat with your heat sources? What kind of thermometers are you using?

Sorry for being so nit picky, but these details could mean the difference between your snake eating and not.

Is your snake fairly active? What kind of hides do you have? Is the snake in the hides more often than not?

[satomi325]

Have you tried other types of prey?
I had to jump start a rat feeder w/ a mouse because he was looking awful. He lost 30+% of his body weight.
He has never had a mouse ever in his life. But he took it like candy. I offered a rat w/ the mouse just in case he wanted that instead, but he ended up taking both. (Mouse first, then the rat)

[Kaorte]

No problem for being nit picky, if I'm doing something less than optimal, I want to know so I can fix it!

I don't have any pictures off hand of the set up in it's entirety, I'll have to take a picture when I get home - at which point I can tel you the kind of thermometer I have (it's a digital one, that is linked up to a thermostat.)

Her activity level has been on and off, but usually only at night; then she's in the hides all day. She'll come out and crawl around at night.

Do you know the kind of thermostat? I'm just wondering if maybe your temps are off. Does the thermometer have a probe that you can measure the hot side with?

If the temps aren't it, it might be a security issue in which case moving her to a tub or a smaller tank might help. Alternatively you could throw a bunch of crumpled up paper in the tank to provide some cover.

I had an adult ball python go on a hunger strike for more than 6 months. Before that, she was only eating sporadically. Since I got her she was a great feeder, it was just recently she decided she wasn't hungry anymore! I brought home a trio of ASF rats and the next day she took a f/t from me. This was about 4 weeks ago.

[BPNewb]

Yea, I just tried a mouse yesterday (she hasn't had mice in a few years) -- I think I'll try a mouse again the next few times, just to take a step back - especially since she hasn't eaten in forever.

Have you tried other types of prey?
I had to jump start a rat feeder w/ a mouse because he was looking awful. He lost 30+% of his body weight.
He has never had a mouse ever in his life. But he took it like candy. I offered a rat w/ the mouse just in case he wanted that instead, but he ended up taking both. (Mouse first, then the rat)

[MrLang]

I'm going for it...!

MAYBE it would like a F/T or pre-killed meal instead. Have you tried either of those?

[BPNewb]

I haven't ... but I guess that would be the next step if she doesn't take this mouse again.

I'm going for it...!

MAYBE it would like a F/T or pre-killed meal instead. Have you tried either of those?

[BPNewb]

This is my set up .. heat lamp on top right, with heating pad underneath .. both hooked up to a thermostat. Then for good measure, 2 temperature strips on both cold and hot sides of the tank (I measure temp with an infrared temp gun. Also a humidity gauge on the mid/left side. Top 3/4 of the cage lid (from the left), is covered in foil/duct tape to help retain heat. 2 hides on either side.

I agree, I don't handle my snakes when they aren't eating, other than to clean the tub and take weights. Wether we like it or not, snakes can get stressed from handling.

Do you happen to have a picture of your setup? Also, are you using a thermostat with your heat sources? What kind of thermometers are you using?

Sorry for being so nit picky, but these details could mean the difference between your snake eating and not.

Is your snake fairly active? What kind of hides do you have? Is the snake in the hides more often than not?