Ball Python Hunger Strike

[Amanda1226]

Hi everyone,

I have a female who hasn't eaten for me since since the beginning of August. I know that when ball pythons get around the 1,000 gram mark, they can go on a hunger strike that can last for a while, and at her last weighing (Oct. 5) she weighed 1100 grams. When she ate last, she weighed 1106 grams, so she's maintaining her weight well.

I was afraid the hunger strike was induced by her enclosure being too large, since it has happened before, so I moved her from a 41 qt rack to a 34 qt rack, and gave her a 2nd hide. None of this seems to have helped. When I offered her a f/t rat, she acts like she's interested, she's perched up on top of her hide but she never takes the rat, and if I leave it over night she never eats it.

Aside from dropping in something live, is there any other suggestions as to how to break her out of this hunger strike?

Thanks for any help!

Amanda

[Chkadii]

The next time you try F/T, warm up the head even more with a hair dryer for a bit (the rat, not her!) and then hold it in front of her on tongs and "tremble" it a little. Don't bonk her with it or run it around the cage. It also might help to hold the rat by the back with the tongs, rather than dangling by the tail. See if she'll strike and wrap that, and if she does give the rat a couple little tugs to make it seen alive and resisting her. Obviously don't pull hard enough to scare her or take it out of her coil.

[Reinz]

My 13 year old girl always goes on strike in late September to early October. Then stays on strike until Feb-Mar.

Just to be sure, in the early stage I offer food monthly. That way, if she is not on strike she should be very hungry.

She refused a few weeks ago. So just to be sure, I will offer again in 2 weeks.

But I am very sure that she has started her strike. I try not to let the strike bother me, but I just want her to eat!

[redshepherd]

You can also try asking for some dirty mouse aspen from the pet store. Used aspen straight from their cage, like filled with poop and stinky mouse smells. I've broken my snakes out of hunger strikes by dunking the prey in the bag of dirty aspen and rolling it around in it... essentially coating them with heavy, fresh mouse scent. My snakes take and eat it right away after that.

Also, you can try using the tongs to hold the rat by the scruff of the neck, instead of dangling in the air by the tail. I've found that my snakes are immediately more interested when I hold it by the scruff and have it imitate how a live rat might twitch and move around the cage... instead of strange objects floating in the air. LOL

[200xth]

IF she's not losing weight and she really has entered a food strike, just buckle up and enjoy the ride. Offer her food every 2 to 4 weeks, but don't get too worried if she refuses. As long as she doesn't lose a lot of weight, it's not worth worrying over since 5 months without food will bother you more than it bothers her.

[Reinz]

IF she's not losing weight and she really has entered a food strike, just buckle up and enjoy the ride. Offer her food every 2 to 4 weeks, but don't get too worried if she refuses. As long as she doesn't lose a lot of weight, it's not worth worrying over since 5 months without food will bother you more than it bothers her.

^^^^^^^

Yup!