When do bp's usually start fasting?

[SamanthaLeigh]

I'm gonna type a bunch more lol but I have read that it usually starts around November and ends around March. I know it varies because every snake is different, but it's not even October yet and my snake hasn't eaten in about 2 1/2 weeks. I've tried, but she just won't eat. I live in Washington so I'm not sure if the colder weather has anything to do with it? Also, I believe she is due to shed soon. That may be why...but I just want to make sure she's okay. She's a bit on the skinnier side. She is a problem feeder for sure, I've had to assist feed her sometimes. She has fasted once before, which was about a 2-3 month period, and I'm just concerned because she lost a little weight during that time and I don't want her to lose anymore. I'm going to keep trying. I'm hoping it's just shedding related. The heat and humidity are perfect and other than this she's healthy. I love her to pieces, and sometimes maybe I worry too much but she's my baby and I want her to be a happy and healthy snake. Any thoughts or advice on what to do would be appreciated!

[Eric Alan]

More thoughts and advice on how to approach problem feeders than you will ever know what to do with:

1. http://ballpythonbreeder.com/2014/08...thon-appetite/ - by Colin Weaver of ECRB
2. http://jkrballstreetjournal.com/2014...-eating-again/ - by Justin Kobylka of J Kobylka Reptiles

Enjoy!

[SamanthaLeigh]

Thank you so much!

[infinitewaffle]

I know the feeling, I had a couple of sand boas that fasted for a few weeks, and it really stressed me out. I was so worried about them. Good luck! I hope everything works out

[SamanthaLeigh]

Yeah it makes me want to pull my hair out! lol Thank you! I guess I just have to be patient, which is something I'm so not good at haha

[Thomas Steele]

I've recently had luck with three problem feeders getting back on feed by switching their bedding from aspen to cypress mulch. Two of the three were fine eaters while on aspen but then out of the blue stopped for a few weeks each. My female het ultramel went 5 weeks with zero interest. She ate the day after I switched her bedding. Same thing with a tiny pinstripe I'd picked up at the last Atlanta Repticon show. She hadn't eaten for me at all and showed zero interest in the prey and she was 75g and I had no idea when her last meal was since she hadn't eaten for me at all. Put her on cypress and she instantly took the mouse and has been eating great since. I totally understand the stress it can cause.

Keep at it and even if you have everything dialed in try switching something up and it might just do the trick.

[SamanthaLeigh]

Okay I'll have to try that! Thank you It's crazy how picky snakes can be

[Sauzo]

My advice is buy more snakes so you can spread the worry lol. My BP girl hasn't eaten since Oct or Nov. I probably would worry but I have my 2 boas which eat anything anytime anywhere so when the BP doesn't eat, I feed the boas and then i'm happy again because someone ate In all seriousness though, as long as the snake isn't losing drastic weight or acting out of the ordinary, I wouldn't worry. They will eat when they are hungry.

[BWB]

My normal hasn't eaten since Dec 26th and I'm a bit worried. But what she doesn't eat goes to the little piggy (boa) - he does not waste time and you barely get it in his enclosure before he strikes (then pokes his head out for more when that is digested). I've been thinking off going back to adult mice until she starts eating properly again but not sure if that is the right move. She was doing so well on the rats and would like for her to stay on that diet. I guess that I should just be patient and not worry so much as she is out exploring at night, comes out to visit me and seems to be going through all of the right motions just not taking the rat!

[jxl]

Last year one of mine has been on food strike for 8 months BPs can be tricky at times and nerve wracking