Fast?

[MacWin]

I know this is kind of a general question with no easy answer but is there a general time frame for a fast? Bob did not eat again today this makes it 3 weeks. At what point do I become concerned?

I guess I will go ahead and wait till the middle of the month to try again :cry:

[gozetec02]

What I do when Jojo refuses to eat (which is really, really rare) I put him in a cardboard box or an opaque (cant see through) rubbermaid container that is small just enough for him to fit almost like a hide. Throw the DEAD rodent in there and wait for about 15 minutes. This works everytime for me. Ball Pythons are naturaly nervous when they are eating because it leaves them open to attack if he doesnt feel safe he wont eat. If you feed F/T try a freshly killed rodent or rub a mouse on a gerbil or go to the pet store and get the dirtiest mouse bedding and put it in with the rodent this works all the time. Let the rat or mouse really soak up that stench its sure to trigger a feeding response.

[MrsMacWin]

Thanks for the advice but my husband feeds live gerbils at the time.

[gozetec02]

I dont feed gerbils unless i have to because they are expensive around here like 6 Bux but i have had success with the dark container method. And i never feed live the closest to live i get is fresh killed.

[elevatethis]

3 weeks is really nothing for a ball python to go without eating. If he/she isn't losing weight or showing any signs of ailing health, then don't worry about it and just wait. Theres so many factors that can cause them not to eat.

What is within your control right now is to make sure your husbandtry practices are right on. If you do everything you can and the snake still won't eat, then you don't have to worry, but just wait around for its appetite to come back!

[MacWin]

His behavior is pretty normal otherwise and he has plenty of chunk to get him thru it's just frustrating to me :evil:

Not sure if I will ever have more than one Ball Python though not sure if my heart can take the stress :wink:

[Wizill]

welcome to the wonderful world of ball pythons.

[MrsMacWin]

Oh we will own at least one more ball-python because I want one also.

[beaglegod]

Ive been through the short fast phase already (30 days) and he picked up eating again for no apparent reason. There are a lot of factors that could cause your BP to take a break from eating including weather and barometric pressure,things we may not be aware of but they are. Those same indicators also turn there feeding response back on, so it can get frustrating to have them turn down food for no apparent reason, but believe me your BP will chow down for you soon enough, when hes ready.