Winter Is Coming! (Do Ball Pythons hibernate/ Change behavior during winter?)

[Ptshay]

Hi Guys!

About to buy my first BP, and well, WINTER IS COMING! For the people of the north.. With that said, will my bp get super hungry then fast during winter and hibernate? what is the typical protocol for winter and bp? Does it change? Should feeding change? let me know what you guys think!

Thanks!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

BP do not brumate, and should be kept the way they are kept year round, they may go off feed during winter month but is has to do with tempertures getting lower and breeding season (for those sexually mature).

Maintain proper temperatures make sure your husbandry is optimal and your BP will be fine whether it fast or not (not all do)

[Ptshay]

Oh perfect.

Thanks for that!

So if mine decides to be a faster... just attempt to feed once a week? or every few days? what do you recommend?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I offer every week regardless of the season, the only thing that make me not offer food is certain breeding behavior in females that indicates that they will not eat again for a good while, in that case I don't bother, a pet I would offer weekly or at lest every other week.

An hatchling should eat without issue though the winter if kept in optimum conditions.

[gaitedappy]

My big boy that tends to fast every year I offer at least once a month if he doesn't show any of his "I'm hungry" signs, and his weight stays fairly constant. The little girl gets an offer every week since she is a little young to be going off food as of yet. In general, offering at least every other week while they fast is a good practice, you never know when they will decide to eat again.

[Ptshay]

Ok cool. thanks guys!

So now im curious. what are "im hungry" signs, and "im not going to eat for a while" signs?

[gaitedappy]

Ok cool. thanks guys!

So now im curious. what are "im hungry" signs, and "im not going to eat for a while" signs?

It depends on the snake. My male gets active when he's hungry and sits on top of his hide, but my female just gets really focused on me about a day before I feed. As you live with your scale baby you'll learn to read their signs.


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[Eru_Iluvatar]

I live in the italian alps and and althogh I raise the temperatures a little bit more in the room in general and in their enclosure to make contrast with the cold they do tend to not eat. In one hand I prefer it that way, because I wouldn't want them to feel heavy and have minor problems with their digestion.

[gaitedappy]

I live in the italian alps and and althogh I raise the temperatures a little bit more in the room in general and in their enclosure to make contrast with the cold they do tend to not eat. In one hand I prefer it that way, because I wouldn't want them to feel heavy and have minor problems with their digestion.

Even in Southern California both of mine have decided it is time to not eat for a while.


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[O'Mathghamhna]

Even in Southern California both of mine have decided it is time to not eat for a while.


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Same. Last month, both my BPs went off feed the exact same day, and they are in separate rooms! They are both older than 1 year. They exclusively stay under their hides and rarely climb their enclosures. I've come to learn when they start getting antsy--ie much more activity than usual, they are ready to eat again.