I don't have enough time to go into my own response, however there are many field studies that deal with the metabolic processes of certain snakes. Most boas and pythons have evolved over millions and millions of years to survive feast and famine conditions. Much of their feeding success correlates with seasonal changes. Those changes bring migration and breeding patterns of mammals and birds that the snakes feed on into their territory.
Captivity changes everything. Having constant, perfect conditions with an endless water supply and steady food supply will make a captive snake's life different than that of a wild one. It could be better or it could be worse.
Like I said above the topic is too involved for me to discuss and I'm certainly not an expert. I find our Royal python sets her own schedule and when she stops eating for 8 months, I don't sweat it.
Below are some field studies I dug up for anybody interested. They are not 100% in line with the question but there are things to learn.
https://www.researchgate.net/publica...nse_to_feeding
This one is not python specific.
https://academic.oup.com/icb/article/50/5/880/646116
These studies may not be directly related to your question although if you read through all of them, you can piece together some of them and possibly find some answers.
https://ssecor.people.ua.edu/python-model.html
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00693366
https://cob.silverchair-cdn.com/cob/...5G5CRDK6RD3PGA
These popped for me after some quick digging. I'm sure if you are motivated enough you can find more.
There is also a book:
https://www.amazon.com/Biology-Boas-.../dp/B0010EHZDA
There is a lot of fieldwork in the book.
Enjoy your research.
Reply With Quote