Ball python fasting?

[Morris Reese]

I have a few questions about one of our ball pythons, Jöri. I’m not worried about him, but as this is the first time any of them have done this, I’d like some feedback. He’s refused his rat the past two feedings. This isn’t the first time he’s refused, but every other time, he’s either been in shed or he’s eaten the first of 2 smaller rats and refused the second (we did a few feedings where we were trying to use up rat pups before switching to the next size up). I’m thinking he’s just being a typical male ball python and has decided to stop eating regularly, but I thought that fasting generally happened in fall/winter? Or is it more of an age thing?

We got him December 7, so we’ve had him 5 months. From what the breeder told me, he was about 4 months old when we got him, so he’s around 9 months now. He was 223 grams when we got him, and he was 648 grams empty on April 18 (so I’m guessing he’s probably about 700 grams now). He’s currently being offered a 50-60 gram f/t rat every 7 days. Nothing about the husbandry has changed. Cool side is usually 80-82F, warm side is 88-90F, and the humidity is around 50-55%.

We’re feeding frozen/thawed, so I don’t want to waste rats if he’s not going to eat. I know some people only offer once or twice a month if the snake is fasting, so at what point would you say he’s fasting? A straight month of refusals? He’s on small rats (50-60 grams), so I’m planning to offer him a smaller rat than normal next feeding day to see if he’ll take it. He’s only handled a few times a week, but should we stop handling him as often?

Some people will tell you not to do this and there are others that say they do it frequently. It's your choice as to who's advise to take.
My snake has refused a f/t rat before and I will only leave it long enough to find out she is not interested in eating. I will refreeze it and use it on the next feeding. If she refuses that same rat again it gets thrown out!! I only have the rat thawed for less than an hour before it goes back to the freezer. I have not had any problems so far. There is a post on here about reusing f/t feeders if you want to search it and read others opinions.
One other option is to buy another snake. Try to feed the fasting snake first. If it doesn't eat then simply feed it to the other snake that is eating! LOL!!