BP Feeding Issue

[BPavery]

Hello everyone! This is my first post.

My two year old male Pastel Ball Python hasn't eaten in eight months. I have attempted to feed him a small pre-killed rat every 1-2 weeks but looks at it like he is about to eat it and backs away after about a minute. Sometimes he will come back out again but the same thing happens. He is still active and aware of his surroundings. He lost a little weight, but not enough to be too worried about. His living conditions are close to perfect. The hot spot stays at about 90 degrees and the humidity is always around 60% to 75%. He is in a 40 gallon tank with a 41 quart sterilite tub lid on top of the screen to keep in humidity. His substrate is Cypress mulch. Do you have any idea what's wrong? Thanks for your help!


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[Eric Alan]

Do you know exactly how much weight he's lost? In other words, did you weigh him 8 months ago before he went on his fast? If so, what is he down to now?

[BPavery]

Do you know exactly how much weight he's lost? In other words, did you weigh him 8 months ago before he went on his fast? If so, what is he down to now?

I actually haven't weighed him. I have been planning on getting a gram scale. I also forgot to mention he always has water, but I don't think I change it as often as I should. I fill the bowl often but completely change it about every 2 weeks.


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[Eric Alan]

As long as your husbandry is up to par, and he's not losing a concerning amount of weight (maybe posting pictures would help?), I wouldn't be overly concerned. I've heard stories of fasts upwards of a year or so. Yes, 8 months is a long time, but not the longest by any stretch.

[BPavery]

As long as your husbandry is up to par, and he's not losing a concerning amount of weight (maybe posting pictures would help?), I wouldn't be overly concerned. I've heard stories of fasts upwards of a year or so. Yes, 8 months is a long time, but not the longest by any stretch.

Okay, thanks for your help. Here are some pictures:






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[J.P.]

same thing happened with some of mine. everything is ideal, then they become reluctant feeders. they smell the food then suddenly back away.

try putting him in the sterilite (where the lid came from). a couple of weeks undisturbed in an opaque enclosure has done wonders for my reluctant feeders.

[mandalorian]

Hello everyone! This is my first post.

My two year old male Pastel Ball Python hasn't eaten in eight months. I have attempted to feed him a small pre-killed rat every 1-2 weeks but looks at it like he is about to eat it and backs away after about a minute. Sometimes he will come back out again but the same thing happens. He is still active and aware of his surroundings. He lost a little weight, but not enough to be too worried about. His living conditions are close to perfect. The hot spot stays at about 90 degrees and the humidity is always around 60% to 75%. He is in a 40 gallon tank with a 41 quart sterilite tub lid on top of the screen to keep in humidity. His substrate is Cypress mulch. Do you have any idea what's wrong? Thanks for your help!


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My male albino is about the same age as your pastel and he just got off his 9 month hunger strike yesterday. When I first got him, he was my best eater. Never missed a meal and was always eager for 2nds. Once he reached that dreaded 1k mark, he wouldn't even think of eating. I always tried every week and offered him his usual f/t small rat and he finally took it. He lost a little weight but not much. Keep offering and eventually he will eat. Good luck and keep us posted.

[BPavery]

My male albino is about the same age as your pastel and he just got off his 9 month hunger strike yesterday. When I first got him, he was my best eater. Never missed a meal and was always eager for 2nds. Once he reached that dreaded 1k mark, he wouldn't even think of eating. I always tried every week and offered him his usual f/t small rat and he finally took it. He lost a little weight but not much. Keep offering and eventually he will eat. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks! That makes me feel a lot better! My Pastel was also a great feeder. He used to hear me opening the bag and came right out of his hide ready to eat! I'll keep trying and maybe try some rats from different sources.


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[BPavery]

same thing happened with some of mine. everything is ideal, then they become reluctant feeders. they smell the food then suddenly back away.

try putting him in the sterilite (where the lid came from). a couple of weeks undisturbed in an opaque enclosure has done wonders for my reluctant feeders.

I'll try this. Thanks!


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[BPavery]

He finally ate after 8 months! I realized he's used to the light being turned on. When he stopped feeding I started keeping it off because I thought it would disturb his feeding. It turns out he liked it on! Woo hoo! Thank you to everyone who helped out!


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