How often do they go off feed for you guys?

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I have been avoiding balls for so long because I know they tend to go off feed. How often to your balls go off feed and how long does it last?

Also, do they seem to go off feed less often over all if they are fed p/k or live?


Thanks, Jake

[frankykeno]

Jake I don't have any kind of solid answer here...just my own small experience with 7 BP's of various ages. We've had everything from a WC female that went 5.5 months with nary a bit of food but only lost 100 grams and is eating fine again once spring hit to a male from 8BallPythons that has refused maybe once in the whole almost year we've owned him. We've currently got one female that is refusing for no reason I can figure out.

I think as long as you get a well started BP that is healthy and is eating already from a reliable source, and you do your research and give them the right setup....they really don't deserve the bad rep they have about being poor feeders. Sure they might go off feed sometimes...sometimes it might be our fault as keepers...or sometimes it's just that they are snakes.

I think it was Adam Wysocki who made a very good point that most snakes in captivity are way overfed anyways considering how often they eat (or rather don't eat) in the wild. Mike and I just try to not overdo it with the BP's as far as how much or how big their weekly prey items are and most of the time it's worked out pretty good. Course just when you think you have it figured out....one of the snakes blows all your theories out the window and you end up posting on BPNet LMAO!

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I'm thinking about an albino actually. Not sure when it will be. Normals just don't really appeal to me for some reason. Do they seem to go off feed less when their fed live or p/k

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Anyone else?

[jglass38]

There are a bunch of things that can cause BPs to go off feed that wouldn't do the same for a Boa (used as an example since you have them). Poor husbandry, overfeeding, feeding too large of a prey item, stress, seasonal changes. I have some females who would never refuse, some that will at certain times of the year and some males that are just a pain for the whole winter. As long as they maintain weight, I wouldn't let bouts of non feeding deter you. Balls rock!

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

There are a bunch of things that can cause BPs to go off feed that wouldn't do the same for a Boa (used as an example since you have them). Poor husbandry, overfeeding, feeding too large of a prey item, stress, seasonal changes. I have some females who would never refuse, some that will at certain times of the year and some males that are just a pain for the whole winter. As long as they maintain weight, I wouldn't let bouts of non feeding deter you. Balls rock!

Ok, I may consider getting some balls sooner or later. What size tubs do you guys use for larger balls? I may just do a pair of 100% het albinos. Not sure yet. An albino seems to be out of my price range as of now.

[jglass38]

Ok, I may consider getting some balls sooner or later. What size tubs do you guys use for larger balls? I may just do a pair of 100% het albinos. Not sure yet. An albino seems to be out of my price range as of now.

CB70 or something similar in size...

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

CB70 or something similar in size...

Ok, I will probably make a rack system of some sort. I want to save up $700 for 1.1 het albinos before I start on a rack system.

[mr~python]

i use CB70's like Jamie said. my male is a little over four feet and my female starting to get well over 40 inches.

as for going off feed my male hasnt eaten since february 5. he's been on an on and off fast since september 28 of last year. he's only lost about 150g and is still looking fat and healthy though.

im almost possitive he's WC because i got him from a pet store as an adult back in april of 05.

[Shelby]

My BP experience is little compared to many on here, but my single male BP has not refused a meal (even when he's in shed) since I have been feeding him live rats. He's one of my most consistent eaters.