When to worry when bps stop eating?

[sbit]

Okay, both my snakes are off feed, and neither has eaten for about 4 months. The female hasn't eaten in even longer. I know it's that time of year, and the male recently started producing sperm plugs. This would be their first breeding season (if I'd bred them.)

I'm not really worried about the female, she's a big girl and still has great body condition. But the male is looking a little thin, slightly triangular back and his skin's a bit loose. He did just shed a few days ago, and refused food yesterday. I've tried f/t rats, live rats, pre-killed rats, and now f/t mice.

When is it time to be concerned? :s

Thanks for your help!

[rlditmars]

Our one male just took his first meal in 166 days. If you are wanting to breed him you should probably get him back up to a good weight where he looks healthy before you pair him. Once you start pairing him he may go off again so he should have some size back on him first. As far as offering them food, just try every other week and use a smaller size then they would normally eat. Also use very warm water to heat them and it may provoke a response. Good luck

[don15681]

it's normal for ball pythons not to eat for long periods of time. question, are they both in the same enclosure?

[elduki]

My male pastel hasn't eaten in 410 days

[MootWorm]

My male pastel hasn't eaten in 410 days

Whoa that's crazy! Sorry to hijack, but what's his current weight and how much has he lost, if you have it? That's the longest I've heard on a food strike (granted, I haven't looked very hard/at all lol).

[sbit]

Our one male just took his first meal in 166 days. If you are wanting to breed him you should probably get him back up to a good weight where he looks healthy before you pair him. Once you start pairing him he may go off again so he should have some size back on him first. As far as offering them food, just try every other week and use a smaller size then they would normally eat. Also use very warm water to heat them and it may provoke a response. Good luck

Okay, whew. Deep breaths. I feel a bit better. I'll keep offering mice and I've been using warm water to thaw them. I definitely want him fat and sassy before I start pairing. Thank you!

it's normal for ball pythons not to eat for long periods of time. question, are they both in the same enclosure?

Yeah, it's just nerve-wracking! No, the male is in a 10gal tank and the female in a 30gal, different rooms. I haven't changed anything since they were eating well, but I wonder if it's time to move them to bigger enclosures.

My male pastel hasn't eaten in 410 days

Holy crap dude o_o

[PsychD_Student]

Whoa that's crazy! Sorry to hijack, but what's his current weight and how much has he lost, if you have it? That's the longest I've heard on a food strike (granted, I haven't looked very hard/at all lol).

Um... Time for a vet visit and husbandry review I think! I'd be super concerned!