OMG... she actually ate.

[Lolo76]

I'm totally in shock, because Mona just ate her first meal since August 11th. I assumed she was on a breeding fast, since it got cold (naturally) around the same time she stopped eating... I introduced her mate, Toby, a few weeks later in early September. They've been mating on & off since then, and I do offer meals every week -Toby never refuses, but Mona did to the point of looking insulted. She'd look at me like "Why are you putting that in my tub??"

Tonight was feeding night for the other snakes, so I bought 1 rat pup (for Ros) and 9 adult mice to split between them... I was in the process of giving them away, when I noticed Mona looking very interested. Her neck was sticking out, tongue flicking like crazy, so I threw in a mouse -and BAM, it was toast. She still looked interested after swallowing it down, as I'd expect from a 2000g snake eating ONE little mouse... I gave her a second helping, and she ate that one too. Unfortunately I didn't have any more to spare, or the others would get gipped. But I've read you should offer small meals during breeding season anyway, especially with the females. Is that a good amount of food for the week? Fyi, prior to her fast she weighed 2056g and was slamming small-med live rats - now she weighs around 1800g.

Anyway, I'm just happy and thought I'd share the news... she was looking so hungry these past 2 months, and I was starting to wonder if there was an underlying reason for her fast. Clearly she just has her own schedule, like most Ball Pythons seem to. Speaking of which, does this sudden interest mean anything in terms of the breeding cycle? This is my first attempt, so everything is new to me (even after doing a million hours of research).

[Soterios]

Congrats!

[Vypyrz]

Lolo, is that lizard in your avatar aware that he is being stalked by a T-rex?....

[Lolo76]

Lolo, is that lizard in your avatar aware that he is being stalked by a T-rex?....

Yeah, but she's a tough gal... LOL.
Check out the whole series of pictures (w/ my leo Sunny) here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103671

[adam_degel]

congrats! isn't it such a great relief to see your snake finally eat!?

[Lolo76]

congrats! isn't it such a great relief to see your snake finally eat!?

Yeah, it's always a nice feeling... I was like "You go girl!" She ate fine when I first got her, so I knew it wasn't a husbandry issue - but was starting to worry it could be health-related. I think her body was just a little confused, since I had trouble maintaining temps before getting the rack. She seems very content now, and I'll offer her a small rat (or 3 mice?) next week.

[mainbutter]

Lolo, is that lizard in your avatar aware that he is being stalked by a T-rex?....

I plan on decorating my carpet pythons cage hello-kitty style.

And then I'm going to put a "Danger, Attack Python!" sign above it. It will be complete awesomeness.

Back on topic, congrats getting the girl to eat! Good job watching your snakes and being able to tell their moods