Help, pastel ball not eating.

[Pastelball]

I have a ten year old male pastel ball. He usually goes through his seasonal fasting from about October to usually January. By mid February he is usually eating again. This year he has continued to ignore all feeding attempts. It's now mid April, he hasn't eaten since early November. Tried feedings about two weeks apart since mid January. He has now lost weight, has almost no energy and is virtually inactive. He is really picky and has never eaten frozen and thawed, only messes with live feeding. Today was the first time he made an actual attempt at a strike, but he was so weak the mouse (dropped to mice from rats to just get something in him) easily evaded the attack. I'm getting worried he doesn't have the stamina to make the attack, but has the want to eat at this point.

As far as his environment, it's stayed constant for quite a while with very little if any change. He has a dark and cool side of the tank with hiding spots, as well as a warm side with heat rock and infrared lamp that is turned on and off at regular times to mimic daylight. Humidity is generally kept between 50-60% and always has fresh water.

I'm getting kind of desperate at this point due to his weight and energy levels. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

[Aaron_S]

How much weight did he lose? Have you tried rats instead of mice since that is what he normally eats? Have you tried smaller rats like rat weanlings (eyes still closed) left over night in the enclosure?

No reason to stress over "energy" levels. You'd truly know if your snake didn't have the energy to hunt. I know of a few adult balls who have fasted for over a year.

Also, hot rocks are gross and bad. I'd remove it if the bulb gives off enough heat. Even if it doesn't, just buy a new bulb.