My ball python won't eat.

alisha · 08-15-13, 12:02 AM

My ball python is 2 1/2 years old, it has been almost a month since he has eaten. He usually ate every 7 to 10 days. I dangle the rats in front of his face, he shows no interest and backs away. I have set the rat down in his cage for 20 minutes and he refuses it. I haven't changed the temperature of his cage, he's not shedding, he is very active at night, and he hasn't lost any weight. Recently I switched brands BUT he ate the new brand 2 times with no hesitation. I'm just looking for answers, should I be worried? Is there anything I can do?

Lankyrob · 08-15-13, 02:34 AM

Double check temps and humidity, just in case.

Just offer food every week until he eats, as long as he isnt losing weight or condition he will be fine.

marvelfreak · 08-15-13, 02:36 AM

There nothing to worry about. Balls go off of feeding all the time. They can go for months without eating. As long as it not losing weight it be ok. Just wait one or two weeks and try feeding again. Then try every couple weeks. At that age they don't need fed weekly. When he gets hungry enough he'll eat for you. Just out of curiosity how big is he and what size food do you feed?

Hurrok · 08-15-13, 02:50 PM

Don't worry too much. At that age feeding becomes less frequent, especially during the breeding season. I've had one of my females off food for 6 months, and a male of mine go for around 3. They both kept their weight and shed once during the 'fast', same temperaments and everything.

If you don't want to necessarily 'waste' rats try every 2 weeks. Sometimes with a bigger break in between meals can initiate him to respond to food more vigilantly. Keep us updated and make sure he isn't losing a large amount of weight, and try not to handle as often if you are doing so. Hope this helps!

Terranaut · 08-15-13, 02:54 PM

Mine went 8months. Not issues. They just stop and start again. It is normal for balls to do this and it will be normal if it is months from now before it eats again. Unless its getting skinny I would ignore it.

alisha · 08-19-13, 07:36 PM

Thank you everyone! He has yet to eat but he doesn't seem to be losing weight and he is very active. I think my snake is almost 4 feet long, it's been awhile since I've measure him and right now I'm not to comfortable sticking my hand into his cage unless it's to try and feed him.

alisha · 08-19-13, 07:37 PM

Also sorry it took me so long to get back to everyone I forgot my password!!

nothsa · 08-24-13, 06:43 AM

Hey, ran into the same issue with my ball as well. What I found to do the trick was to take snuggles (son named him, LOL!) and placed him in a container with some of his substrate in the bottom, dropped in a fresh killed rat and threw a black towel over it. checked back in 15 minutes or so and Bam, caught him swallowing the end of the tail.

This trick has also worked for a friend who was dealing with the same issue.

franks · 08-24-13, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alisha

My ball python is 2 1/2 years old, it has been almost a month since he has eaten. He usually ate every 7 to 10 days. I dangle the rats in front of his face, he shows no interest and backs away. I have set the rat down in his cage for 20 minutes and he refuses it. I haven't changed the temperature of his cage, he's not shedding, he is very active at night, and he hasn't lost any weight. Recently I switched brands BUT he ate the new brand 2 times with no hesitation. I'm just looking for answers, should I be worried? Is there anything I can do?

Correct me if I am wrong but haven't temps been dropping pretty good at nights in Pitts? I do not think you should be worried. Make sure your temps are up to par. Are you leaving the f/t rats in with him overnight? If he does not take the dangled rat, I would just leave it in the entrance of his hide overnight and see if he takes it. A month is not a concern especially if your snake is not loosing weight.

alisha · 08-26-13, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

Correct me if I am wrong but haven't temps been dropping pretty good at nights in Pitts? I do not think you should be worried. Make sure your temps are up to par. Are you leaving the f/t rats in with him overnight? If he does not take the dangled rat, I would just leave it in the entrance of his hide overnight and see if he takes it. A month is not a concern especially if your snake is not loosing weight.

Yeah it's been pretty bad here but my rooms always warm so his temps haven't changed really. But thankfully he hasn't lost weight.

alisha · 08-29-13, 05:10 PM

Alright, so I've been trying to feed him rats that are striped black (or all black), but today I went up to the pet shop that supplies me and went back to white rats. As soon as he saw it he took the rat immediately! I think my snake is most likely picky when it comes to the color of his prey. So I'm glad to inform everyone he is eating again!!! Thank you to everyone for your help!!!

Hurrok · 08-30-13, 01:26 PM

Good news! Glad he started eating for you again