Adult Not Eating for First Time

[Willie76]

Though still learning myself (we never stop learning), I have heard many, many times...even from top breeders....it's not uncommon for Balls to go off feed for weeks, months...or even a year (though not very common for that long). As long as your husbandry is good, it may be because of shed, mating season, winter, illness, or they just might not be hungry. As others have mentioned, just keep an eye out for illness, get a scale and make sure he's not losing large amounts of weight....otherwise snakes are snakes...and if you're doing the best you can with GOOD information, just let him be a snake. He'll eat eventually.

In the following YouTube video, you can hear this BP owner who has a handful of larger adults say one of his was off feed for nearly a year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIngd7qD36w

[Annarose15]

I feed primarily frozen thawed, but do have an occasional live eater. I like not having to go to the store to buy a feeder every week (or thirty+ feeders, in my case!). Frozen are cheaper in bulk than individual live rats, too, for me.

To your question about the growth spurt - if your friend was only feeding one or two mice a month, then it absolutely makes sense that your boy made up for it with gusto. I only feed rats, but I would estimate an adult male would normally take 3-4 adult mice per week. I have a pinstripe female that was only being fed every 2-3 weeks when I got her in July (she was supposedly 4 years old, and was 950g). She has been on one small (60-80g) rat per week since then, and is now 1900g! She was healthy enough when I got her, but now gets enough caloric intake to actually reach her full potential.

[WhiteSoxPyro83]

I feed primarily frozen thawed, but do have an occasional live eater. I like not having to go to the store to buy a feeder every week (or thirty+ feeders, in my case!). Frozen are cheaper in bulk than individual live rats, too, for me.

To your question about the growth spurt - if your friend was only feeding one or two mice a month, then it absolutely makes sense that your boy made up for it with gusto. I only feed rats, but I would estimate an adult male would normally take 3-4 adult mice per week. I have a pinstripe female that was only being fed every 2-3 weeks when I got her in July (she was supposedly 4 years old, and was 950g). She has been on one small (60-80g) rat per week since then, and is now 1900g! She was healthy enough when I got her, but now gets enough caloric intake to actually reach her full potential.

Thanks a bunch. As I stated, I'm not too concerned. I do want a scale though, just out of curiosity. I do have pics of him on my profile if you are curious. He is awesome and very active. What is normal weight for an adult? I just call him a guy...don't know, and don't want him put through the stress of a probe. However, I have had him for a year, and he has never been to the vet in his life. I think I may bring him in shortly for just a checkup? I don't know because he is and awesome, active, perky, and many many long tounge flicks kinda snake lol. I llet him explore out of his cage as much as he likes(while keeping a close eye on him of course) he is a very curious active snake...THAT LOVES TO CLIMB believe it or not. lol

[ellenb19]

Yes The older one (Molly) eats every 5 weeks , until this month...The friend I got her from told me the eating schedual, and at first I thought 4-5 weeks was too long...I have never gotten her to eat before 5 weeks..My other bp ( Hatchet)..yes its a males name, were not 100% if he/she is really a male...This one has never been probed, but as its getting bigger, looking more like a female...always ate for me every 2 weeks, once took a rat at 10 days...Now its been 3 weeks since his last feeding, didn't want rat....I keep rats that arn't eaten in a critter tank..an inexpensive plastic tank with top...Just make sure you keep a brick on it, i had a rat get loose throught the little see-through top once..lol.And just give it water and I feed them hamster food...Both my snakes are are good size ..not skinny by any means..Molly, is really heavy and strong..So 4-5 weeks is ok for her....Both are very heathy looking and are handled all the time...I know this time of year is there breeding season so that may be why they arn't eating as much...Even the lady at pet store told me this...I know its normal, but as a pet owner you always want to make sure your babies are ok..Not like dogs and cats who eat everyday...From everything i hear..It normal

[ellenb19]

Oh..as far as a growth spurt..My younger one, who eats for me every 2 weeks..Grew a lot in the last 8 months since I got her...I think my friend ( previous owner) only feed her every 4 weeks like the older one who only eats every 4-5 weeks....All snakes are different..I've only been a snake owner since last July..Learning more everyday I love this website..