Female Albino BP hasn't eaten in 6 weeks.

[MindzEdge]

Hi, First I would like to thank everyone for the great info and knowledge they give on this site.

I have a Female Albino BP that hasn't eaten in over 6 weeks now. She is almost 11 months old and weighs 405 grams. I weigh her every other week and she has lost 15 grams since she stopped eating. I've been feeding her FT mice and even offered her a live mouse last week and she still didn't want anything to do with it. I've tried rats before and she always refused them. I've been feeding her every 7 days. The only time she wouldn't eat before is when shes going to shed and would only skip a week. I have 2 other BP's that are just a few months older they eat fine and eat FT rats. I haven't changed anything with her enclosure and the temps are within the range they should be. I've had her for over 8 months now. Is it time for a vet visit?

[JHPythons]

It will be interesting to see what some of the experienced keepers say, I have a pastel/yellow belly female that's around 350g and ate once for me and now hasn't eaten in the last month. I think it's fairly normal and I have even heard some more experienced keepers talk about a fast around the 500g weight.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I haven't changed anything with her enclosure and the temps are within the range they should be.

Can you elaborate with details, because the environment hasn't change or was working until than, does not mean that it is optimal for this specific animal as stress from husbandry issues could build up over time. And because other do well in even if in similar setup does not mean they all so.

Is it time for a vet visit?

A vet will not help your animal resume feeding they never do.

It's not an abnormal behavior for a BP to go off food the only thing you can do is assess is something can be done and be PATIENT.

[redshepherd]

Losing 15g for a 405g snake isn't significant at all (a single adult mouse weighs 20g), so I wouldn't feel the need to do vet visit if her other normal behavior hasn't changed and there are no symptoms of illness.

Just for reassurance, my male has gone off feed for about 3 months last year when he was only around 500g, all husbandry and temps on point. I just offered his usual meal every other week... And eventually, he just started eating again.

You can post a pic of your setup here, just in case? And specify what you're using to measure temps, etc?

[MindzEdge]

It will be interesting to see what some of the experienced keepers say, I have a pastel/yellow belly female that's around 350g and ate once for me and now hasn't eaten in the last month. I think it's fairly normal and I have even heard some more experienced keepers talk about a fast around the 500g weight.

Yeah it will be. I wasn't sure with how young she is going for this long. I've read that they can go on a hunger strike for 6 months or longer when they are adults. I have a Banana BP and a normal also just a little over a year old and they eat every time and never had a problem with them. There both around 800 grams.

[MindzEdge]

Can you elaborate with details, because the environment hasn't change or was working until than, does not mean that it is optimal for this specific animal as stress from husbandry issues could build up over time. And because other do well in even if in similar setup does not mean they all so.

A vet will not help your animal resume feeding they never do.

It's not an abnormal behavior for a BP to go off food the only thing you can do is assess is something can be done and be PATIENT.

I keep my 4 snakes I have in a snake rack in separate containers and the heat tape is controlled by a herpstat. I bought my rack prebuilt. I check there enclosures with my temp gun and the range is between 80 on the cool end to 94 along the heat tape though the container. I have a log hide in her enclosure along with her water bowl. I use print free news paper and always clean as soon as possible. Thank you for the info. .

[StillBP]

Yeah it will be. I wasn't sure with how young she is going for this long. I've read that they can go on a hunger strike for 6 months or longer when they are adults. I have a Banana BP and a normal also just a little over a year old and they eat every time and never had a problem with them. There both around 800 grams.

My ghi het red axanthic just ended a 10 month strike. He only lost 60g the entire time
If your set up is correct she will eat again. Just be paitent. But keep a eye on her weight to make sure she isnt loosing too much. And her over all health. As long as she is healthy and your husbendry is correct all you can do is offer and wait.

[MindzEdge]

Losing 15g for a 405g snake isn't significant at all (a single adult mouse weighs 20g), so I wouldn't feel the need to do vet visit if her other normal behavior hasn't changed and there are no symptoms of illness.

Just for reassurance, my male has gone off feed for about 3 months last year when he was only around 500g, all husbandry and temps on point. I just offered his usual meal every other week... And eventually, he just started eating again.

You can post a pic of your setup here, just in case? And specify what you're using to measure temps, etc?

Thank you for the info. That makes me feel better. She seems to be acting normal and doesn't seem sick. Hopefully she will give in soon and eat.

[MindzEdge]

My ghi het red axanthic just ended a 10 month strike. He only lost 60g the entire time
If your set up is correct she will eat again. Just be paitent. But keep a eye on her weight to make sure she isnt loosing too much. And her over all health. As long as she is healthy and your husbendry is correct all you can do is offer and wait.

Wow! How old was he and how much did he weigh before he went on the strike?

[JHPythons]

https://jkrballstreetjournal.com/201...-eating-again/

https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=1zyUsgt4K9E

I thought both of these were very helpful for info with feeding and going off feed.