Coupla Feeding Questions

[Snatch]

I have 6 ball pythons, 3 males and 3 females... 5 of the 6 pound f/t rats or mice every week without fail with a strike-feed. My albino doesn't strike-feed and for 3 weeks now has suddenly stopped eating. Previously he ate large rat pups. Over the 3 weeks I have left him alone, no handling unless cleaning the enclosure and have even tried feeding him a smaller prey item like a f/t small adult mouse. Still not luck! The temperatures seem to be fine at 80C ambient, basking spot of 90-92C. I don't really want to begin feeding live as he hasn't had live prey before. So what is my next move? I'm running out of ideas here. Do I try this brown bag technique? Does it work? Will it not stress out the snake even more? I would appreciate any ideas as the little git is frustrating the ****e out of me!!

[sk8er4life]

Welcome to the site!

well a reason that it may not be eating is because of breeding season but i dont if it is sexually mature yet. If i were u i would try feeding live once or at least do the little "mousey dance" if all that fails i dont know what to tell except wait even longer.

[chong_python]

I would have to agree with Sk8ter

My bp is also gone off feed, and has been for a month or so, nothing to be worried about yet.

Chris

[Adam_Wysocki]

If it were me, I would bump up the temps a couple of degrees. 82-84 (closer to 84 will work better) on the cool side and 94 or 95 on the hot spot. This time of year even though the thermometers are reading the same, the snake can sense the cooler air temps around them. Bumping the temps often helps.

I keep my animals at these temps year round and even my adult breeders are still eating when they are offered food.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[gen]

Welcome to the site!!! Three weeks isn't incredibly long for a bp to go without eating. I know its frustrating, but don't panic yet. If you're not comfortable feeding live, I don't think its necessary to take that step yet. As long as your snake isn't losing a lot a weight, he'll be fine. I'd stick to smaller prey size, try bumping temps like Adam suggested, and just keep trying each week.

[Snatch]

Mmmmmm thanks alot for the response... It is a little frustrating and I don't want at this stage to feed live. After all I have had him for only 5 weeks and he is CB04. Had him imported from california to london so the journey and the move must have rattled him too. The only thing that got me was the fact that he had eaten twice in two weeks and then just stopped that's what spooked me. Well i'm glad to hear it is somewhat normal ) Cheers for the advice.