A little worried.

[A.VinczeBPs]

One of our males is not eating. Now, this time of year is most likely the reason, and our other males do the same.

However, the problem I'm faced with is: He is now down to about 800-850 grams. His spine is becoming more pronounced, and I'm worried about his health.

On top of that, about a month ago I could have sworn I saw him going into shed, and yet nothing has happened...but his color is still darker. I've never had a retained shed this bad, and he's not eating at all to gain any weight to make him go into another shed.
Now, this could still just be a play on my eyes, but all of these things have me worried.

All our other males are fine, just this one seems to be having issues.

Sorry for the all the writing, just wondering what everyone else suggests. He isn't going in with any females at all, and we offer food ever week still.

[BPelizabeth]

At 800 grams he will be fine....if you are offering F/T try live but something smaller than typically. All this is if you husbandry is on point. Check the care sheet if you have any questions on that. Also if you think he is getting dehydrated you can give him a bath.

[Moofins07]

This is just a guess based on what I already know, but, should a snake go into shed during the process of weight loss, I would think they could "pause" the shed-cycle, seeing as the old skin is no longer tight or too small. That could be a load of hooey, though. Or perhaps he doesn't have enough energy to finish the cycle.

However, on to the real problem. What prey do you normally feed him? If F/T or anything other than ASFs, try giving him a tasty little soft-furred to get the wheels spinning. However, I'd only suggest this if you have easy access to ASFs. He may get addicted.

Lastly, should this fast continue for another month or two and he starts getting progressively worse (we're talking really triangular), you may have to consider assist feeding. It's ugly, but it could very well save his life.

[A.VinczeBPs]

At 800 grams he will be fine....if you are offering F/T try live but something smaller than typically. All this is if you husbandry is on point. Check the care sheet if you have any questions on that. Also if you think he is getting dehydrated you can give him a bath.

I've owned them for 7 years, I know the care sheets. I never feed live, and never will (unless I absolutely have to) since he was eating F/T fine before he went off food...but I will try asf's soon. I've just never seen their spines and their stomaches concaved and thought nothing was wrong.

I'm a worrier by nature! But if it's normal I'll just watch and see I guess.
Thanks!

[A.VinczeBPs]

This is just a guess based on what I already know, but, should a snake go into shed during the process of weight loss, I would think they could "pause" the shed-cycle, seeing as the old skin is no longer tight or too small. That could be a load of hooey, though. Or perhaps he doesn't have enough energy to finish the cycle.

However, on to the real problem. What prey do you normally feed him? If F/T or anything other than ASFs, try giving him a tasty little soft-furred to get the wheels spinning. However, I'd only suggest this if you have easy access to ASFs. He may get addicted.

Lastly, should this fast continue for another month or two and he starts getting progressively worse (we're talking really triangular), you may have to consider assist feeding. It's ugly, but it could very well save his life.

I don't have easy access, but I order them online from a trusted source whenever I deal with a problem feeder, but I have a couple left still I'll try on him. I really don't want to force feed, it's not fun for me or the snake, so I'll hold off until his skin sags.
Would be interesting if they could "pause" the shed cycle, I've never seen it before, but there is always something new to learn.

[Moofins07]

I don't have easy access, but I order them online from a trusted source whenever I deal with a problem feeder, but I have a couple left still I'll try on him. I really don't want to force feed, it's not fun for me or the snake, so I'll hold off until his skin sags.
Would be interesting if they could "pause" the shed cycle, I've never seen it before, but there is always something new to learn.

Yeah, that was just me trying to be "philosophical" and solve some of the world's questions. Hooey-kablooey.

Glad to hear you have a couple ASFs waiting around. Good luck, and keep us updated!

[A.VinczeBPs]

Yeah, that was just me trying to be "philosophical" and solve some of the world's questions. Hooey-kablooey.

Glad to hear you have a couple ASFs waiting around. Good luck, and keep us updated!

You never know when you'll have need of a couple ASFs! I'll try and feed him in the next couple days (next feeding day). For now, I've added two hides for him (They're all in tubs, boaphile plastics ones, and have never needed hides before) maybe it will give him a more secure feeling.

[blackcrystal22]

This is just a guess based on what I already know, but, should a snake go into shed during the process of weight loss, I would think they could "pause" the shed-cycle, seeing as the old skin is no longer tight or too small. That could be a load of hooey, though. Or perhaps he doesn't have enough energy to finish the cycle.

However, on to the real problem. What prey do you normally feed him? If F/T or anything other than ASFs, try giving him a tasty little soft-furred to get the wheels spinning. However, I'd only suggest this if you have easy access to ASFs. He may get addicted.

Lastly, should this fast continue for another month or two and he starts getting progressively worse (we're talking really triangular), you may have to consider assist feeding. It's ugly, but it could very well save his life.

It's interesting that you ask this, because I have taken notice of this phenomenon before. In my experience, I would say no.. but I honestly do not understand why. I have a problem feeder ball python, and he has gone off feed for months at a time, shedding multiple times with zero meals. My KSB sheds every 6 weeks like clockwork, and hardly eats as often as he sheds.

So really, they don't seem to gain any weight at all if they shed and are not eating, but they still shed for me at a similar schedule.