Feeding problems

[MootWorm]

I still don't think you have anything to worry about, but I agree to taking her to the vet if only to ease your mind. Ditto on only disturbing her to clean/water/feed. Maybe also try covering her tub with a dark cloth for awhile and see if that helps. Again, just keep offering once a week, leave it overnight if she refuses. And make sure to remove any uneaten feeders first thing in the morning! If you're really getting desperate (as in many weeks without feeding), you can again try live with a harmless rat pup. No worry about biting or scratching

[steve_r34]

i think i seen in another thread im sure someone will correct me if im wrong but i think i seen that some females go off of feed this time of the year ? im sure someone was having the same issue with his girl and then he said he wanted to breed her but didnt know cause she stopped eating and people were saying once she breeds she will start eating again so if that is right i wouldnt worry ... one of my girls stopped eating for 3 weeks and then started again so i woundnt worry to much at least for another couple of weeks or so

[kat_black181]

I still don't think you have anything to worry about, but I agree to taking her to the vet if only to ease your mind. Ditto on only disturbing her to clean/water/feed. Maybe also try covering her tub with a dark cloth for awhile and see if that helps. Again, just keep offering once a week, leave it overnight if she refuses. And make sure to remove any uneaten feeders first thing in the morning! If you're really getting desperate (as in many weeks without feeding), you can again try live with a harmless rat pup. No worry about biting or scratching

I think covering the tank will definitely help as well. Mine is covered on 3 sides with a dark towel.

[Megz]

Have you tried exposing the brain yet?

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What?! i feel as though your not joking but im hoping u are

[Megz]

Honestly, 3 weeks is not a long time for a ball python... I know you're worried. Take her to the vet, if just to ease your own fears.

Are yoy handling every day? If so, I would stop and leave her be for at least a week.

I was gone in scandinavia for the past 10 days so no handle cant be it. could it be a lack of handling? is that possible?

[Megz]

i think i seen in another thread im sure someone will correct me if im wrong but i think i seen that some females go off of feed this time of the year ? im sure someone was having the same issue with his girl and then he said he wanted to breed her but didnt know cause she stopped eating and people were saying once she breeds she will start eating again so if that is right i wouldnt worry ... one of my girls stopped eating for 3 weeks and then started again so i woundnt worry to much at least for another couple of weeks or so

thats definitely and interesting thought i never thought of that almost like she's in heat per say. how much longer before u think i should be "worried" and/or feed her a live one?

[kat_black181]

I was gone in scandinavia for the past 10 days so no handle cant be it. could it be a lack of handling? is that possible?

I don't think a lack of handling would cause those issues. Balls are generally content without too much handling. They are shy. They are known to go off feed, sometimes for months.

[Crazymonkee]

Not saying I waited too long but on the advice of a friend who told me she knew what she was doing, Lex was just a hatchling when I got her... I waited almost 2 full months before going with live... she started loosing weight visibly so I decided to try live. She's eaten every time offered from then on (tried f/t again...no go.. put the live one in after...coiled in like 5 seconds). I never leave her alone until its dead.

I know safety wise it's better if they take f/t... but nobody kills the prey for them in the wild...
I could probably get beaten with a stick by some for saying that...
But as with feeding my dogs raw... nobody cooks a steak for wolves either.
I would go with live (not gerbils tho)

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[steve_r34]

id wait a good week b4 trying to feed her again she might be stressed out from all the time trying to feed .. wait about a week dont offer nothing and dont handle her .. get a live prey and drop it in her hut then close the lid keep the room dark step back and keep a eye just to make sure the prey dont hurt her if u want shake the box up a bit so the prey gets dizzy then drop it in also u can leave the box on top of her hut for a while so the smell of the rodent gets her going then open drop close and watch ... and i wouldnt use a gerbil id use a big mouse or a small rat something she would feel confident striking and something that wont hurt her

[Megz]

id wait a good week b4 trying to feed her again she might be stressed out from all the time trying to feed .. wait about a week dont offer nothing and dont handle her .. get a live prey and drop it in her hut then close the lid keep the room dark step back and keep a eye just to make sure the prey dont hurt her if u want shake the box up a bit so the prey gets dizzy then drop it in also u can leave the box on top of her hut for a while so the smell of the rodent gets her going then open drop close and watch ... and i wouldnt use a gerbil id use a big mouse or a small rat something she would feel confident striking and something that wont hurt her

I always thought u should monitor at all times never leave a live prey. Also after a week should I try once more with frozen and if still not then live. Considering she hasn't eaten for 3 weeks what would u say is the max amount I should "wait her out". Cause ill definitely try the towel and leaving her but should I try the frozen again?