My BP isin't eating?

[Bellabob]

I have had this bp for almost 2 years and ever since I got her she has NEVER, not ONCE EVER refused a SINGLE meal. This morning, I brought her into a class that I was teaching about reptiles, and I brought a rat for her to eat so everyone can see how snakes eat. I have done this before with her. She didn't eat so I thought she was probabbly stressed about all the people and that she would eat at home.

Didn't happen.

A little while ago I tried again with her. Once again, she refused. She would go towards the rat, assume the "S" striking position, and looked like she was gonna go for it. But once the rat "kissed" her on the nose she darted away and did the same thing over and over. She can't be afraid of the rat, she has fed live all her life. I don't know whats wrong. She is perfectly healthy and everything.

I know that BP's sometimes refuse food for no apparent reason, could she just be going on a fast for a while? She has never refused a meal so I can't help but be a tad worried.

Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Frank Molino]

Hi bellabob if i was u i would not worry about your bp not eating it is fine a lot of times ball pythons skip meals and theres nothing u can do besides try offering it to him the next day if he doesnt eat it then i would wait another week to feed him they can go over a couple of months without eat just not reccomended

[Bellabob]

Hi bellabob if i was u i would not worry about your bp not eating it is fine a lot of times ball pythons skip meals and theres nothing u can do besides try offering it to him the next day if he doesnt eat it then i would wait another week to feed him they can go over a couple of months without eat just not reccomended

Yea, thats what I thought. I mean I know its not a big deal its just that she has never refused a meal before. Can't help but be a little bit worrid

[jjmitchell]

Is the snake male or female... How old and what size.... The reason I ask is if you have a female that is just hitting that puberty size she has other things on her mind, its that magical time of year. I have 15 ball pythons and today was feeding day, with breeding season I only fed 6 snakes

[crbballs]

Is the snake male or female... How old and what size.... The reason I ask is if you have a female that is just hitting that puberty size she has other things on her mind, its that magical time of year. I have 15 ball pythons and today was feeding day, with breeding season I only fed 6 snakes

Yep I second this. You said it was a she and about 2 years old, sounds like she's ready to breed. Right before females go off of feed they will eat like crazy. I've got 3 females this year that would never refuse a meal and are 2 years old and they are gravid. Just to assure you that its not only yours. Some start early some will start later. She will be good.

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[NCtrickFL]

Hey I don't mean to jack this thread, but it is just too perfect. I'm having the exact same issue. My girl fed constantly and suddenly went off food. Hasn't eaten in 3 weeks. I'm not too worried about the fast, but how do I know when to feed again? Its a huge hassle to drive across town to pick up a live rat and then drive back over to return it when she doesn't feed. Anything I should look for?

[msoprano]

I just went through the same thing for roughly 4 months. Drove me insane. It really made me look at my husbandry very carefully, which is good. Someone posted recently on here, and said that their BP actually grew when it went off feed.

[astoudt]

Mine is a 4yo male and I just got him about 2 weeks ago. His previous owner said he hasn't ate in 3 or more months and I tried to feed him today since he is really really thin and I'm worried, but he still wouldn't take the rat.
:-(

[Bellabob]

Yea she was feeding like CRAZY before she went off feed. Like unbelievebly crazy. Ima wait another week and try again.

[kitedemon]

Weigh her soon, I am sure you have checked and re-checked temps and such and that nothing major has changed (has it?) I'd assume that is is just that time of the year I have 2 adult females and 2 adult males off food at the moment.

The best check of the health during a fast is weight. For example my big female was 3544gm in january and has been fasting since then she was yesterday 3477 that is 67 gm loss nothing really she goes up and down a bit as well. Check the weight and weigh every 2 weeks or more (every week is what I do) and you keep an eye out for serious weigh loss.
Alex