I have two ball pythons, 4 and 5' long. Both used to be really healthy eaters but haven't eaten in about 5 months. They did however eat about 5 med size rats apiece in about 2 months 6 months ago ( I had an over abundance of rats!)
Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciatged. They are both still real active and have shed a few times since they last ate, and seem to be healthy, just not eating.
2006-12-12 15:51:33 · 11 answers · asked by naughtyBnikki 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
No worries man. Did you change thereenviorment any or do anything differnt? and sometimes they will just go on a hunger strike its normal. you may try and throw the rat or whatever you feed it in the cage turn off the light and leave the room and check every now and then. maybe its because you are there or something. Also did u check for mites or anything? When mine had mites it wouldnt eat or anything so until i gt rid of them she would be like that. keep trying once a week and if they still dont eat in awhile i would consult a vet on it. but they can go very verylong without food ive herd of them up to a year and a half without eating so as long as it looks and acts healthy then no worries.
2006-12-12 16:18:33 · answer #1 · answered by andy s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any snake can be a cannibal, and we can't always predict the conditions that will cause that. Some species are known for it, but even just here on Yahoo I've seen at least two people in the last month upset that their ball pythons are eating each other. Between that, stress-related immunosuppression (snakes are solitary, being stuck together is stressful) and parasite issues there's no good reason to *ever* house multiple snakes together. Assuming, of course, you're not trying to breed them. Your friend really needs to get another tank and separate out the remaining two. The possibility of an escape is there, of course. So, take a flashlight and check under everything. Particularly dark spots (under the fridge or stove). They can get anywhere. One of my rosy boas got out and was hiding in my bookshelf at one point... Keep looking, perhaps sit out a thawed mouse somewhere and keep an eye on it from a distance (if the snake hasn't eaten in a while). I hope, for their sake, that it's an escapee and not a meal. Good luck finding her.
2016-03-29 05:20:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very common for a ball to go off feed. If you have changed anything (lighting, caging, bedding, moved them to a different area of the house,Or if the temps dropped.. even if just slightly.) they could just be a little stressed over the new environment.
Do you house the 2 of them together?If so, it could be stress over sharing a cage.(yes, it can happen all of a sudden)Get them into their own cages.
Is one snake a male and one a female? They will go off feed to mate and this is prime mating season right now.(this is even more of a possibility if you have each sex housed together)
Your balls are large enough that it probably will not hurt them , even though it is frustrating for you. Make sure the cages are clean, fresh water is available and temps are good. Also, be sure you don't offer food too often. Place food item in cage for 15 minutes. If after that time the snake doesn't eat, remove and try again in 7 days (no sooner)
Good luck!
2006-12-13 01:11:02 · answer #3 · answered by Jen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not uncommon at all for Balls to forego eating for months at a time. I had a wild caught male that was 5 feet long, He fasted for an entire year then he began eating again. Many snakes will eat less or not at all when temps drop and light decreases. Heat is needed to digest the prey. The are some ways that you might entice eating. You can "brain" a mouse which requires a bit of surgery on a mouse and it is considered gross by many.
Good luck
2006-12-12 16:36:57 · answer #4 · answered by thepaintman80 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh yeah every ball python owners query. these snakes are very picky and known for fasting in the winter they just give it up for a while. first though check to see if you have strong lighting like heat lamps 2nd never let them be anyplace less less than 75 degrees and 3rd try using mice scent drops right on the mice which you can purchase at any reptile shop and relax this is normal for them
2006-12-12 16:29:54 · answer #5 · answered by jerseyman34 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That happenend to my Uncles ball python. So he took it to the vet and they ended up giving her a shot
2006-12-12 16:13:46 · answer #6 · answered by Odd One Out 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try not watching it feed it in the cage and leave it over night.
2006-12-12 15:59:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
maybe they aren't hungry...seriously, it's happened before. also, are they in an aquarium -or some other device where food could be coming to them without your knowledge?
2006-12-12 16:01:17 · answer #8 · answered by libra x mom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try feeding it multple rats/mice
2006-12-13 16:09:28 · answer #9 · answered by lilplaya 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take your python to the doctor
2006-12-12 15:55:32 · answer #10 · answered by annjilena 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋