Yeah Yeah, another 'Not Eating' Thread!

[Mighty Monty]

So....Tomorrow will be the 3rd week now that my ball python has not eaten. He's always been a great feeder, until recently. I measured him today and he's a little under 3 ft. So i'm not sure if that means he should be eating every 2 weeks, or every week. I've been feeding him every week, and he's always intersted. Everything is normal, droppings, his humidity is on target, as are the warm and cool sides.

Now i know they can go awhile without eating, but is this due to problems? or is it just sometimes they don't want to eat? and will eat when they please?

It just seems odd that this happened, i've checked him out and he looks fine, hydrated, etc. Last night he had his head out of his hide like he was hungry, but last time i tried feeding him, he just kept snipping at the rat, pretty much telling it to get lost as the rat checked out the snake.

So tomorrow, i'm going to try and feed him again ( it's been a week since last tried ) and if he doesn't eat, should i go to the vet, or even worry?

I'm just lost and kind of worried, so i thought i'd ask.

Anything would be great.

[rabernet]

What size prey do you feed him each week?

[weirdbuglady]

My girl is usually a great eater but once went three months without touching food. Then she randomly started eating again.

Sometimes they just get funny moods, I dunno. At that size, I wouldn't really worry about it, just keep offering food once per week, eventually it'll get hungry again.

[Mighty Monty]

I feed small rats, have been for awhile now.

He's also 'VERY' hissy lately, he doesn't hiss much, or never has i should say until this whole not eating issue came up.

[Kagez28]

usually adult balls can eat a small small rat every week as there largest meal. so what might have happened is a little over feeding, and now he is going off feed to "catch up".

do you have a digital scale? i would give him a weigh, and keep monitoring to make sure he is not loosing too much weight. if he starts loosing weight, then it would be vet time. for the time being, try a smaller food item, and if he doesn't take it just leave him for the week, no handling, just changing water. a little stress free vacation might get him eating again.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

He's also 'VERY' hissy lately, he doesn't hiss much, or never has i should say until this whole not eating issue came up.

Hissing plus not eating could be a sign of husbandry issue I know you said that your husbandry was perfect but what type of set-up do you have?

How big is your enclosure?
What are your exact temps and humidity?
What type of thermometer/hygrometer do you use (digital,dial,stick?)
How are your hides? (dark, tight, identical?) could you describe them?
His your enclosure in a low traffic area?
How often do you handle your BP?