Feeding question. Need some experienced help.

[mc5guy]

I am new to Ball python world. I would like to ask a question to experienced owners.

I have this 900 gram female Spider. She was such a good feeder. Take 2 small rats every 7 days. And I know she can eat more.

Suddenly. She slow down. It started 2 month ago when she got to 1000 gram. She now will only take one smaller prey every 3 offered.

I know ball python does that. My question is will she come back one day become a good feeder again. Or she will just be like this for ever, a picky eater?

Have been 2 month already being a picky eater.

Thanks all

[mues155]

Shes probably just maturing.
BPs will randomly go off feed for many reasons, hormones, temperture changes, moving, etc.
Ive had males and females go off feed for months, ill still offer it feed weekly and just suddenly one week they will take it and after that will never miss a meal again until they decide to "fast" again. Usually my males more so than females (unless breeding) will fast for a few month out of the year.
Are you feeding live prey or frozen/thawed?

[mc5guy]

I feed both. But she is a F/T eater. When she go picky. I use both live and F/T. She is the same. will only eat once every 3 or 4 offer

So she has chance to be a good feeder again right?

Thank you very much

[mues155]

Im my experience when my BPs fast its only temporary.
They will usually POUND food after a fast, and stay consistant for a while.
I would try waiting a couple weeks then offer her a live rat, let it stay with the snake for maybe a half hour, checking on them periodically so the rat doesnt harm the snake.
You can even do small prey, such as a weanling rat may intice the snake to strike.
Ive had a male fast for 3 months and drop about 100g but now hes eating great and gaining again.
Good luck with your snakey!

[deathadder1069]

One other issue i see is that its a spider, in my experience ive seen spiders tend to not feed as well no matter what i do. Bad enough that theyre bps but spiders make it even worse. Again this has been my experience with spiders and i have heard the same from other spider owners/breeders. Once she goes back to feeding, she might still take another week or 2 before she feeds again. Good luck

[mues155]

One other issue i see is that its a spider, in my experience ive seen spiders tend to not feed as well no matter what i do. Bad enough that theyre bps but spiders make it even worse. Again this has been my experience with spiders and i have heard the same from other spider owners/breeders. Once she goes back to feeding, she might still take another week or 2 before she feeds again. Good luck

see and my 600g female spider is exactly the opposite. She POUNDS rodents like crazy, she never misses a feeding. I actually have trouble with my mojave over her.
bottom line is just ALWAYS depends on the snakes themselves.

[Simple Man]

You have good advice here. I just wanted to add that my Bee (Spider x Pastel) is the best eater in my collection. I don't think Spider's are prone to not eating. Certain snakes at certain times... My Sugar is on a feeding strike right now. I'm not worried. She'll eat when she's ready and she was consistant until a few weeks ago. I just offer and practice patience.

Regards,

B

[Anna.Sitarski]

I am not sure about the spider thing my spider is a see-food eater.. I mean eats everything if I don't give her enough she wants my hand too. I wouldn't worry too much unless she is showing other signs of distress.

I am having one male at a time having feeding strikes over here. As soon as I got one eating the other one decided against it. It happens keep offering food on a regular feeding schedule. Thats what I did and then lo and behold he took it. Also bizarre twist my male mojave only eats female prey. Go figure.