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Ball python feeding trouble

K

Kelliedene

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Hi there, I have a ball python, about 5 years old. Had him since he was very small, maybe 6 months old. He is refusing to eat his rats. Thought maybe the rats had been in the freezer too long after he refused two of them so I bought one locally. Washed his feeding tank and he still refused it. Last time he ate was June 1st and it is now June 29th. Nothing in his environment has changed. I'm not sure what to do next. Also not sure how long a snake can go between meals.
 
I wouldn't do anything hoenstly. Ball Pythons are notorious for going off feed. I have several that have been off for 2-3 months now. When he is ready to again he will eat. No need to worry after only a month.
 
I had a male go off feed for 11 months so dont worry. What i would is try a different rodent or a smaller one. Gerbils really can kick start a feeding response
 
I wouldn't be concerned till you hit the 6 month mark. Unless there has been serious weight loss. Snakes have some physiological adaptations that allow them to slow down body functions and go off food for extended periods of time.
 
Weigh him periodically to make sure he's not losing too much weight, but otherwise don't stress over it. I have a male that's whose last meal was on 5/11.
 
I would try him on live or mice. If he does not take those, I would just let him sit and try him one or two times a month.

Dave
 
We have some older balls that wont go back on feed after winter so we kickstart them with a live mouse then offer a F/T rat but heat it up with a heat lamp and stimulate it being alive. The they usually go back eating F/T again. Since its only been a month no need to worry. I have males that only eat 4-5 times a year and never lose weight and are breeding machines.
 
you can also try dipping the feeder animal in chicken broth and or when you soak your snake put a tablespoon of powder gatoraide in the soak mix until fully dissolved and soak for 15 to 30 mins
 
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