i have a royal python, 8 mths old, he shed about 6 weeks ago, he hasn't eaten for 4 weeks now.?

Question

we av been offering him mice but hes not interested. can any 1 give me any ideas as to wot could b wrong wth him. he is normally a really good eater.

Answer 1

Normally it's not a problem when a Royal Python stops eating for a while, but you have a very young one and unfortunately he won't be able to survive for more than a couple months without eating.

First off, Royal Pythons do not brumate (reptile term for hibernation). They will, however, stop eating for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are overfeeding, improper husbandry or illness. Overfeeding probably isn't the cause as that usually occurs when a Royal Python has been fed every week for several months or years with a food item that is larger than needed.

Your snake probably has husbandry issues... either his environment is too warm, too cold, too large, no hides, or he's being handled too much. Take a look at my caresheet for a proper setup: http://www.superiorserpents.com/Caresheet.htm

However, being that your snake is very young I would recommend that you take him to a vet to get him checked out, especially if you purchased him from a pet store.

As far as feeding suggestions, do not try to feed him more than once a week as this will only stress him out more. Give him a small hopper sized live mouse about an hour after sunset and leave the room with the lights out. You can leave it there for a couple of hours as a hopper would not be able to harm your snake, but anything larger and you will want to supervise the feeding.

Good luck!

Answer 2

8 months is too young to be going off feed so that's not it.

And ball pythons are tropical so they have no natural hibernation period.

Alfamale does not know much about snakes in general either because snakes' skin is not vulnerable after the shedding process as the exoskeleton of an invertebrate is. Invertebrates require calcium to build up and harden in the new exoskeleton which takes a few days in some cases, whereas reptiles and amphibians have an actual skin similar in many ways to that of birds and mammals, so as the dead skin sloughs off, the next layer of skin underneath is already developed and ready to go. The period of vulnerability in snakes comes in the few days prior to the shed, when the old skin clouds and begins to separate from the new layer underneath. In this period the snake will be secretive and will not eat, but should be hungry immediately following.

Besides, even if you research your animal, problems are bound to come up that only experience will solve. And if you have no experience, guess what? You should ask someone who does! It's the only way to learn, so don't be ashamed for asking.

Now back to your problem....

Check the temperature. Sometimes they will not eat if they are too cold. Your temp should never fall below about 80 degrees with a ball python. Their metabolism slows down if the temp is too low, and they may quit eating because their body can't digest food properly. Low temps will also put them at higher risk for respiratory infection. That's the most likely problem. It's easy for them to get cold this time of year because of drafts, etc.

If not that, check to make sure the snake is secure (i.e. has a hiding place). Some snakes will stop eating if they are stressed or feel insecure.

Hope that helps. Good luck. You can email me with any other questions.

Answer 3

First end with the guy food. one among those vomiting you're describing is probable the outcome of the kitten eating too a lot dry food then ingesting (with the outcome that the dry food expands in its abdomen and is derived instantly decrease back up lower back). notwithstanding any kitten that has been vomiting will dehydrate straight away and would die. you should take it to the vet now, once you may make an appointment throughout operating hours, or you would ought to make an emergency vacation later with conceivable tragic effects.

Answer 4

I'm very surprised and somewhat dismayed at your question. You have one of these animals and haven't had the decency to learn about it before getting one. Ask your vet or get a good book on keeping Royal Python's..........shocking that someone can acquire such a beautiful beast without any knowledge of how to keep and look after one. Be disgusted with yourself.

When any animal sheds its skin or shell (crabs, shrimp, etc) it is a very stressful and labour intensive process for them. Immediately after the shedding process, they are vulnerable and often withdraw until their new skin/shell has hardened off and dried out. During this time they hide away for protection until the process is complete. It sounds to me like your snake may well be going through this process. But ASK your vet, to be sure.

The above is only a general process and very different from species to species!

Answer 5

it is not unusally for some large snake not to eat for a year if the body goes flat get it check out by a vet contact your local reptile shop for the best vet in your area most reptile shops will give you the best answer and the most help good luck mate hope she starts again soon

Answer 6

I HAVE A BAIRD RAT SNAKE WHO IS NOW ABOUT 3 YRS OLD BACK LAST YEAR HE DIDNT EAT FOR 8 MONTHS OVER THE WINTER SEASON HE SHED HIS SKIN ABOUT 3 TIMES IN THAT 8 MONTHS, WE TRIED EVERY THING EVEN MAKING HIM ANGRY SO HE WOULD ATTACK BUT NO RESPONSE. AS SOME ONE ELSE HAS SAID HE WILL EAT WHEN HE'S READY. ITS NOW BEEN A FEW MONTHS AGAIN SINCE HE'S EATEN! ( D JONES)

Answer 7

I wouldnt worry too much about this as our false water cobra hasnt eaten anything since before christmas! we think its to do with the time of year, if it hasnt eaten by easter, check its weight if its underweight or skinny looking then seek advise perhaps, but if it still looks fat and healthy it will start to eat on its own!!!
hope this helps!!!!!!

Answer 8

Snakes hibernate in Winter in which case, not to worry if it
does not move and is not hungry. Don't disturb it and let it
sleep through the winter months. Come Spring and its
appetite will be back.

Answer 9

he could be trying to go into hybernation...sometimes they womt eat,,I had a ball python and she did the same thing..give it about a week and try again..watch for the color of her eyes if they start to cloud over like they do when they shed skin..call the pet store and ask for further advice..Good luck

Answer 10

I used to have a garter snake and he once went four months without eating after shedding his skin. They become quite depressed when it happens.
I wouldn't worry, snakes have very slow digestive systems. He'll eat when he's ready.