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Q: 600 Gram Ball Python Refusing to eat?
Posted By:

samfred

I purchased a lesser ball python in march at the tinley show. Since i have had the snake she has refused, frozen mice, frozen rats, frozen rat in tuna. Live mice, left thawed mice in all night multiple times with no luck. I have her cage temps set pretty warm. Usually about 82 everywhere with a 95 hot spot for her to check out. She is 600 grams so obviously she was eating before. She hasnt lost any signifcant weight since i have had her. How long should till getting her to eat is critical? Any tips to try in the mean time?


Points: 150
Topics: General Health
Tags: Ballpython, Refusedfood
Administrative: Show/Hide

Member Comment 6/19/2013 8:50:02 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

What do you have her housed in? (Describe the set-up)

Are you feeding in her cage or in a feeding bin?

Have you tried a live rat? 

What size prey and how often have you been offering?

 
Member Comment 6/19/2013 10:59:16 PM

Bryanfish
Another question would be what was the breeder you bought her from feeding her? i would guess most breeders at a show like that would give up that type of info.
 
Member Comment 6/19/2013 11:21:23 PM

shellboa

Try a couple things, lower the hot spot to 89 and keep the average about 86. Stop offering so much different stuff. It is stressful to a young snake to be offered too many options. Pick one prey item ( I would try a frozen rat fuzz/pup) and offer it until she eats. What I typically do is try feeding off tongs, leave the item in an easy to see spot (not near heat) for an hour (after which you can re-freeze the prey item for one more try) and then offer the same kind of prey in a few days. If you are really concerned, try a live rat fuzz/pup. 

Unless you notice weight loss or some symptom of illness, don't be concerned if it doesn't eat for a week or two or even three. It will help if you just leave her alone for a while too.

 
Member Comment 6/20/2013 9:05:08 AM

abi21491

I'd also suggest dropping the hot spot down to at the highest 91, I keep mine around 86-89. A 600g Ball Python can easily take small rats so you might just be offering prey that is too small for her to be interested in. I'd try a live small rat next time. Remember only to offer once a week otherwise you will stress her out. She could just be off feed for no reason other than being a BP, I have a couple who aren't feeding right now (longest is at 195 days!) It really isn't something to be worried about unless she is losing weight rapidly. If you decide to try f/t again make sure it is REALLY warm. Even some of my best f/t feeders refuse if the rodent isn't hot enough. If you can contact the previous owner I'd ask them how they had her set up, sometimes something as little as a change in substrate can cause them to go off feed so all the info helps. Good luck!

 
Member Comment 6/20/2013 9:15:00 AM

Cenobite

95 = to hot

 
Member Comment 6/20/2013 11:26:36 AM

MikeXV

Cage size can also be a factor, too big and sometimes they feel insecure and don't eat. Or just typical ball python behavior that gave them a bad reputation for all those years. I had a 900 gm mojo girl that didn't eat for me for almost a year since I got it, I ended up selling her and the day she got to her new home, she ate. Go figure, sometimes you just have to wait it out and unless she starts going down hill, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just my experience anyway...

 
Member Comment 6/20/2013 2:03:21 PM

Aimee

is she in a busy/noisy part of your house? can she see/hear other animals like dogs or cats? is she near a window? these distractions can frighten shy snakes. I took a rtb into rescue once that "just wouldn't eat", right? they'd tried all the different kinds of feeders and methods and were giving up.

the snake was kept on a table next to a window....where two large dogs would come up and bark at people walking by outside. he had the right number of hides and his husbandry was OK, but he was just stressed by the situation. no wonder he wasn't hungry!

anyways, that example taught me to always ask about the environment outside the snake's cage, too...

 
Member Comment 6/20/2013 10:50:43 PM

SnakeMama

Shell:  You can refreeze????  Surprised

 
Member Comment 6/21/2013 8:57:18 AM

Big Sarge

Hey Sam I believe I've heard Justin Kolbylka and I think Brian Barczyk both say from 600-1000 grams BPs go off feed.

 
Member Comment 6/23/2013 7:48:15 PM

Cenobite

 
Member Comment 6/24/2013 4:23:46 PM

Cenobite

Shannin: Yes you can.

 
Member Comment 6/24/2013 4:37:20 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

I'd recommend only one, though.

 
Member Comment 6/24/2013 5:14:26 PM

Cenobite

That's what I meant (but didn't clarify).

 
Member Comment 6/24/2013 5:19:17 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

*once* not one... 

Like always, George, just an instance where, "I got your back". ; )

 
Member Comment 6/24/2013 5:27:38 PM

Cenobite

Bacon

 
Accepted Answer 6/25/2013 12:37:57 PM

ballpythonlover

at 600-1000 grams snakes go on a food fast type thing and they'll stop eating for a few months. Nothing to worry about. It's happened with most of my snakes. Still a healthy snake!Smile

 
Member Comment 6/25/2013 6:21:26 PM

ballpythonlover

I'm telling you, they really DO go on these 600-1000 gram food fasts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
Member Comment 6/25/2013 6:30:33 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

Until we get the answers to some of the questions asked from the OP, I think we should hold off on saying it's just being a fasting BP. 

 
Member Comment 6/25/2013 7:21:24 PM

ballpythonlover

Ok,sorry....

 
Member Comment 7/22/2013 2:43:54 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

Has she eaten yet?

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