BP Size Question....

[L.West]

I have an early '08 Female Normal BP that I have had since August of '08. My question is that for the first 16 months that I had her she was always a pretty good eater - until this past Dec she went off feed and has yet to start up again.

In addition to her fasting - she has always been one that would not take large enough prey - she will only eat mice (about 4" long mice) so I got to the point where she was eating three mice at each meal.

If I am lucky enough to get her back on feed - should I be concerned about the size of prey she prefers?? She has gained weight consistantly since I've had her and she is currently 1,675 grams (she has not lost any weight since she has been on this fast for the past 4.5 months).

[Kaorte]

Some ball pythons are picky. Some will only eat mice and will never switch to rats. I say give her what she eats!

If she starts eating consistently during the summer months then maybe you can try switching her to rats.

[L.West]

At one time she was succesfully eating rats but then she went off feed for like 4 weeks and I stupidly offered her mice and she struck them immediately and never went back to rats - this was probably my fault.

It was suggested to me that once she starts eating again to offer her one mouse and then follow it up with a rat.

When do you think it is likely that she will start eating again - what month is this breeding season over with??

Thanks.

[Kaorte]

There really is no set time when breeding season is over since you control the temps for the most part. Try upping your temps a few degrees, giving her an extra hide or something.

I went to a presentation done by Dave Barker of VPI and he said that any change to their environment could trigger breeding or do the opposite.

[L.West]

I don't change anything to invoke breeding - nothing has changed for her since I got her - same cage, same heat, same humidity?? I just thought that she fasted this year because she was older.

How high can I let her hot side get?? It currently runs about 90/91 and the cool side is about 81/82

Thanks.

[Kaorte]

As long as the hot sidfe doesn't get above 95* you should be fine. Try raising your hot spot to like 93*. Worth a try I guess?

I wasn't trying to say that you did do something to invoke breeding, I was just saying that you can make changes (increase or decrease temps) and that sometimes will be enough to get them in the mood or make them think it isn't time to breed anymore. You don't need to make a change and then change it back to get them to go back on feed.

[L.West]

Thanks Kaorte - I appreciate your help.