I find this comical and worrying at the same time...

[D_Lest]

Ok so,

My ball python is on a hunger strike, this is my first time experiencing this but I have read all the info here and am not stressing over it since I have not noticed a drop in weight. But the comical part about it is the fact that the rat I have been trying to feed my BP has taken a liking to riding the snake around like a horse. I can only imagine how much it stressed the snake out so I am holding out a few days before offering the annoying rat again. Do you guys recomend a specific length of time without eating before taking her to the vet to get checked out? Anyway, just wanted to share my interesting happenings of the day. Take care all!

[RichsBallPythons]

Offer food once every 7-14 days between refusals. Too much too soon will only prolong the fasting.


Depending on the snakes size they can go months. I currently have my 950g albino female on her feeding strike once she hit this mark. Shes on 3 months no food.

[D_Lest]

why do you think they do this? a few weeks ago she was eating just fine, no problems at all and now she is running away from a meal...boggles my mind

[Oxylepy]

Stress, hitting "the wall", possibly going through hormonal changes as they hit snake-y puberty...

[PghBall]

Ok so,

My ball python is on a hunger strike, this is my first time experiencing this but I have read all the info here and am not stressing over it since I have not noticed a drop in weight. But the comical part about it is the fact that the rat I have been trying to feed my BP has taken a liking to riding the snake around like a horse. I can only imagine how much it stressed the snake out so I am holding out a few days before offering the annoying rat again. Do you guys recomend a specific length of time without eating before taking her to the vet to get checked out? Anyway, just wanted to share my interesting happenings of the day. Take care all!

I would offer once every seven days. My two males have been skipping a meal or 3 every so often and if they skip, they wait until the next Tuesday. I'm sure yours will eat when he/she is hungry. The only thing you'll have to worry about is the rat outgrowing what your snake can handle.

[iCandiBallPythons]

I wouldnt stress over it I just had a male come off of a 10 month fast, just keep offering every week or so

[OzarkMountainBalls]

I just had my normal girl come off a 6 month hunger strike. I just offered her a meal every 5-8 days. I actually tried varying the prey item but when it came right down to it she ate her usuall f/t rat when she started eating again! Oh the joys of a BP lol

[D_Lest]

My only real concern is this rat that I now have to take care of. If squeege goes on a multiple month food protest then I am going to end up with a pet rat that is all grown up and nobody in the rack big enough to eat it lol.

[Oxylepy]

My only real concern is this rat that I now have to take care of. If squeege goes on a multiple month food protest then I am going to end up with a pet rat that is all grown up and nobody in the rack big enough to eat it lol.

Breed it, then. You'll have more food in the future.

[j_h_smith]

Drop down a size and see if the snake will eat again. This can help many times.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith