Tips on how to get an ADULT female bp to eat

[Maddumpling]

I need some tips because everything that I've tried hasnt worked. My ball python has been off feed for about a month or a bit longer and the methods I have tried have not worked. I have heard that she is a good feeder and that she never missed a meal. This was from a reputable breeder and has been helping me with this situation the past month. Blood from rat's nose, a hide, leaving rat over night, zombie dance, you name it I tried almost everything. Anyone have methods and have experience of getting an ADULT female ball python to eat?

[KatStoverReptiles]

Try live? It's not uncommon for them to go off feed this time of the year. Just monitor her weight.

[Annarose15]

Stop worrying and just keep offering weekly. I even drop to only offering every two weeks, just to preserve rats until they decide to start eating again. As long as she's in good condition and not losing weight, she can go months without feeding. The down side togoing ahead and trying live (assuming you want her on f/t) is that she will just keep holding out until you give her what she wants (live). BPs are hardwired to survive, we do not have to convince them to eat as long as the husbandry is correct and the snake is healthy.

[TKByrnes21783]

I have a female that does this. So far the only thing I have found that works is to offer her a live rat that has been sitting in Gerbil bedding for a couple hours. She hits it right away. May be worth a shot to try.

[benwallage9]

If you want to stay with f/t try asf's I had a female that didn't eat for 5 months. when I gave her a f/t asf she struck almost instantly lol. She has since finished those asfs and gone back to f/t rats. She did go like 3 weeks without eating but then I threw one of my males in with her and she realized she needed to eat again because it was getting time to breed

[Salamander Rising]

If you want to stay with f/t try asf's I had a female that didn't eat for 5 months. when I gave her a f/t asf she struck almost instantly lol. She has since finished those asfs and gone back to f/t rats. She did go like 3 weeks without eating but then I threw one of my males in with her and she realized she needed to eat again because it was getting time to breed

Would that work with my suddenly-dieting 1400+g previous breeder female?

I know my male pastel would just be tickled silly to be "used" in such a sneaky manner.....

[iCandiBallPythons]

They pretty much eat when they want to. I have had them go 11 months before and minimal weightloss just be patient

[kitedemon]

It is that time of year get used to it. weigh them regularly (before they stop too) keep notes so you are not guessing what and when and just wait they will eat soon
er or later.