Ball python hasn't eaten in > 1 month

[runeasgar]

I unfortunately don't really know how long it's been, because he was such a great eater that I stopped keeping track, but now I'm starting to grow worried. I'm supplying all the information I have below.. help greatly appreciated. I'm especially anxious to know if it seems like he's malnourished.

- I used to feed him every 10-15 days with a rat that was within 25% larger than his girth.
- Due to him not eating for a while, the last couple of times I've tried to feed him, I've used a rat smaller than his girth.
- I pre-scent to try to gauge interest, but oftentimes when I do this he just tries to escape.
- Sometimes I found this was because he had pee'd or poo'd.. so I would clean that up and try again the next day.
- But that wasn't always true, sometimes he would just try to escape, regardless.
- He's in a nice animal plastics 4 footer and I replaced the shavings in the last month in an effort to remove that as the potential problem.
- I make sure he's awake, I wiggle the rat around.. I used to be able to present it directly to his nose and he would immediately bite - now he shies away.
- Plus he just doesn't have the same level of interest.. he doesn't "S" when I pre-scent or am moving the rat around.
- I've been diligent about keeping his water changed.
- Temperature 90 degrees warm side, 80-85 degrees cool side (both regulated by a high quality reptile stat), 60-65% humidity.
- He is definitely not as thick as he has been at his thickest. He has started to develop a little bit of concaveness around his spine, but still seems strong and thick.
- I know this from handling him, proactively twice a week, but I'll also often handle him when he actively crawls out of his tank when I open it.

[Gerardo]

How long have you had him? How much does he weigh?

[Royal Hijinx]

Welcome to Ball Pythons...

In all serousness, you may just be buggin him too much.

Leave him be for at least a week (only spot clean and refresh water as needed). Make sure your temps (90-85 is not much of a gradient) and humidity are spot on and that he has enough hides.

If he does not eat in a week, wait another 5-7 days. As long as he is not a baby, he can go a couple or three months without eating and be fine.

If he goes more than 3 months or so, AND starts to lose significant weight, then you need to look at the next steps.

[runeasgar]

Unfortunately I'm not sure I can achieve a better gradient without raising the warm side temperature. The room he's in is just a bit on the warm side in the summer. I'm working on a way to cool the entire upstairs of the house, so maybe he will benefit from that.

However.. he has outgrown his hide a bit. I will get him a new large one for his cool side and if he takes to it, a similar one for the warm side. I'll also leave him alone for a good while and see if he will eat.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Edit: Oh, and I've had him for uh.. mmm.. 1 year and 3 months. Haven't weighed him recently.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I wouldn't worry about the temp gradient too much.
Weight is the big worry, what did he weigh before the strike and what is his current weight?
More than likely he has other things in mind either with the girls OR just screwing with your head.

[runeasgar]

So his gradient isn't as bad as I thought. 82 cool side, 90 warm side. I will start weighing him after I leave him alone for a week and try to feed him.

I also set up a makeshift larger hide for him until I can get out today and buy him some bigger ones. He does seem a little happier..

[mayo]

Don't worry too much about it....

My girl hasn't been eating in over six months, and then yesterday she snatched that large rat right out of my hand. In the past I had gotten her treatment which means expensive, painful, shots that didn't work. I realized she will eat when she wants...hard to argue against that theory when she is over 6' long, super healthy and fixing to be 20yrs old.
I have her soaking right now. I keep her domicile @ about 90°/70%.

It's awesome that Petco allows rat returns.

[BPavery]

Don't worry. They can go a very long time without food. My two year old male just ate about a week ago after eight months off feed. He was a fantastic feeder before his fast. My advice is don't change anything. Offer him the same food, keep his temps the same, and keep his cage setup the same. Ball Pythons don't like change. One thing that sparks my Ball Pythons appetite is crunching the rat's bag and he pokes his head out, ready to eat. He learned that the sound means food. Just take care of him like you would normally and offer him a rat every couple of weeks.


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[grcforce327]

If you want a snake that is a consistent eater.... DO NOT BUY A BALL PYTHON!

[bcr229]

Don't worry. They can go a very long time without food. My two year old male just ate about a week ago after eight months off feed. He was a fantastic feeder before his fast. My advice is don't change anything. Offer him the same food, keep his temps the same, and keep his cage setup the same. Ball Pythons don't like change. One thing that sparks my Ball Pythons appetite is crunching the rat's bag and he pokes his head out, ready to eat. He learned that the sound means food. Just take care of him like you would normally and offer him a rat every couple of weeks.

This. I have a male that didn't eat from last October through April of this year, and when he started eating again he ripped the rat off the tongs. Another has been off food since last December and he refused again today. They eat when they want.