Historically, my male Ball Python has fed with remarkable consistency, and has taken feeders (small rats and chicks) weekly in the summer months. Typically he takes 27-29 rats a year. This year, he started a little late (early May) and has refused several times -- but is NOT on a hunger strike. He's now taken 11 rats, and will likely fall short of his typical number. (Last year he stopped feeding in October. Is this typical as BPs age ? Also, like today, he sometimes takes rats "tail first," which makes for a lot more difficulty getting them down. I'd think 12 years would be enough practice to know what works best. 