Eating Issues?

[Meghan_h]

My 5 year old ball python will only eat about once a month. Is this normal? I try to feed him a medium rat every 2-3 weeks, but he only actually eats every 4 weeks or so. The temperature and humidity in his tank is fine, and he sheds fine, but should he be eating more often?

[Bogertophis]

Most ball python keepers find that adult males do best (eat more consistently) when only being fed small rats- not mediums. Medium rats are suitable for larger adult females (which get larger than males & generally eat more -instinctively- because of reproductive potential), but when fed to a male BP (that stays smaller), the excessive meal will cause them to eat less often, & usually with less reliability. Basically, you're overfeeding him- so under the circumstances, yes, it's "normal"- but not recommended. Overfeeding result in unhealthy, overweight snakes & may cause fatty liver disease & shorter lifespans.