To Feed or Not to Feed that is the question.

[DreamingofDragons]

So I've never had an issues with my first male spider to scarf down anything and everything i throw at him. I recently acquired a yearling pastel who doesn't seems to be same way. The other day I had seen that her heating pad had been moved when moving her tank, Which i dont know if that would effect it since the heat source was there for her to use she would just have to move to the other hide instead. Im sure all of this can effect it and now she has refused her meal for the past 2 days in a row since correcting it.

I know they can refuse feed for a long time and that's okay on occasion but If they do refuse , what all do you look at and how long do you wait before you offer food again?

Also, I keep ambient at about 82 Degrees with HotSpot sitting at 89 , keep Humidity at about 65-70% and offer Adult mouse once a week seemed to be attracted to light colored live mice up until past 2 days.

Thanks for any and all comment that help.

~Cameron

[KMG]

You should not try to feed more than every five days but I prefer to attempt every seven.

It can take a few days for your snake to get back on track. I suggest waiting a week and trying again. Offering to often will add stress to the situation and can actually do more harm than good.

[Andys-Python]

How old is your pastel?

You should not try to feed more than every five days but I prefer to attempt every seven.

It can take a few days for your snake to get back on track. I suggest waiting a week and trying again. Offering to often will add stress to the situation and can actually do more harm than good.

- Dito

Are you feeding live or F/T?

[Alexandra V]

Personally if mine refuse a meal, I'll leave it overnight (I feed f/t obviously). If they still haven't taken it by then, then they just have to wait til next week when everyone gets fed again. It's sort of a tough love tactic, but I've found that it works. If by then they aren't eating, then I try something different like offering a live mouse to see if that changes.

Sometimes they just stop eating for no apparent reason and will start again on their own time. Just keep offering every week and she'll decide when she wants to eat again.

[CaitJaye]

Sometimes they just aren't interested. try next week at what had been your normal feeding day. As long as she isn't loosing weight or looking dehydrated you should be fine.

[DreamingofDragons]

I feed live right now by moving them to a feeding tub that they eat in currently> My Spider seems to love it , when hes in the box hes ready to go the rat hardly ever hits the ground before he snatches it up.

My Pastel the ball in question I've been feeding live adult mice once every 5 days and previously was offering everyday (usually takes on the 1st day) , but then following up by waiting another 5 days as soon as its accepted.

She currently weighs in at 290 grams hatched sometime last yr order from Brandon of Priceless Pythons ( Great guy to work with and buy from if you ever run across him.)

Thanks for the info guys. Just recently discovered the vast and fascinating realm of ball pythons and I'm falling in love with them quickly.

Based off the info I've provided if you have any other tips feel free to send them my way.

[KMG]

There is no need to feed in a different container. It can sometimes be a factor that makes a snake refuse to feed. You might try to feed in its home and see how it goes.

Feeding in its cage will not cause aggression and by moving a snake that's ready to feed you increase your chances of getting bit.