Feeding Question/Issue

[Lexiethekitten]

Hello, I am having issues with Diablo, my male ball python who's about the age of 5, or at least that's what the person who gave me him claims.
He is eating large f/t rats, he also has a UTH and is an active snake.

It's Winter here, but in Virginia, our weather has been unusually high. Last winter, it was a lot colder and he ended up fasting.

This month, I have tried to feed him twice. Both times, he strikes the body but doesn't eat it. Why is this? Is he not interested? Fasting?
He's sometimes a picky eater and will deny a rat sometimes, but not more than once in a month (it's more of a rare thing for him).

I'm worried about my big boy though! He hasn't eaten in about a month because of this and I don't want to see him starve. How long can he go without food if he does fast? I don't know his weight, I have yet to get a scale.

[bcr229]

If he's on large rats he could probably eat one every 4-6 weeks and be perfectly fine.

I have a male about that age that regularly fasts between Halloween and Easter each year. The rest of the year he eats a small rat every 2-3 weeks.

If you want him to eat more often then offer smaller feeders.

[Lexiethekitten]

I think I'll try smaller, just to be safe, or I'll wait until I go back to my father's to get a large one.
I've had him for only a year, so I have a lot to still get used to and notice, this is our second winter together. Last winter, he fast early December til about late January, he was normal after that.
Thank you though for the comfort and help!

[gaitedappy]

Don't worry I have a large adult male who has now decided to fast for the second winter in a row. He's about 2300g and usually eats about 150-200g a week when he is eating


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[Mr. Misha]

Just out of curiosity, how much does your BP weigh?

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[PitOnTheProwl]

Weight? Also 1 month really isn't uncommon.
UTH is regulated correct?

[ballpythonsrock2]

This month, I have tried to feed him twice. Both times, he strikes the body but doesn't eat it. Why is this? Is he not interested.

I agree about offering a smaller size like a medium's or smalls. My snake Nicki will at this time absolutely refuse medium rats but will readily eat small rats and mice. So since he strikes ( which is the same thing mine did ) he might be hungry but just doesn't want a large meal to swallow. It might be worth a try but maybe he is just fasting too. Since Nicki is still growing she might eventually eat mediums but for some reason right now prefers to swallow a smaller meal. Maybe your snake is showing you the same thing my girl showed me.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

He is eating large f/t rats

BP are overfed in captivity there is no need for large rats ever, if you want an animal that eats with consistency. year round feed smaller preys weekly.

I never feed anything larger than a small rat to a male (55 grams/75 grams).

BP will fast to catch up.

[Lexiethekitten]

What size prey would you recommend? How long until I should try feeding him again? Is 2 weeks too soon?
I don't know his grams yet, I should've made buying a scale one of my top priorities but times are hard. ^^" I'm definitely going to look into getting one ASAP because I just got a 3-4 month old pied!
I started the large rats almost the year ago because he was severely underweight, his spine was easy to touch and everything.

[ballpythonsrock2]

What size prey would you recommend? How long until I should try feeding him again? Is 2 weeks too soon?
I don't know his grams yet, I should've made buying a scale one of my top priorities but times are hard. ^^" I'm definitely going to look into getting one ASAP because I just got a 3-4 month old pied!
I started the large rats almost the year ago because he was severely underweight, his spine was easy to touch and everything.

I would recommend small rats like Petco sells frozen at 40 grams or as Deborah said up to 75 grams max. ( You can order on line too.)
Is 2 weeks too soon? I would say no it's not too soon. You can actually offer food every 7 days. But you can safely wait 2 weeks if you want as long as your snake looks healthy.
I got my scale at Walmart an Electonic Kitchen Scale EK Model 5055 You set a container on the scale, turn it on, and then hit the unit button till the g shows up and gives you the grams weight. Don't know if they still sell that particular scale but they should have it or one like it. They aren't real expensive.