bp not eating

[Malaika]

My '06 Ball Python is not eating. He has not taken anything since October 30th. Prior to this he weighed 450g, and is down to 404g atm, but he is not overally skinny. I just measured him, 34 inches long and 4 inches around at his widest spot.

I have tried f/t rats, f/t mice, live mice. I bought him as a live mouse feeder and easily converted him to a f/t mouse to f/t rat, without any problems. He has gone off feed before, but never longer than a month, all I had to do before was give him a live mouse, to kick start him back up.

He is in a 20 gal long tank, with temps of 88*F on the warm side, and 75*f on the cool side. Humidity varying between 45-60%. I haven't changed anything in his tank in a long time, placement of hides are the same, temps, location, everything, in fact he's been in this tank since, 2 months after I got him. Oh, and I have not handled him much since his last feeding, maybe once or twice a week, if that much.

Is this because it is winter, or is there something else going on you think?

[Spaniard]

Your cool side temperatures should be higher at least 80.

[Larry Suttles]

He most likely is wanting a lady and thats his priority over eating at the moment, it's pretty typical for a male Bp to go off feed this time of year.

Your husbandry looks good in my opinion but a 20gallon tank is a little big for a little guy like that but with the hides it's probably fine anyway.

Just keep an eye on him and give him time and lots of fresh water. I wouldn't stress it too much unless he starts dropping weight. He'll come around but it may be a few months. larry