Ball Python rumours?

[Slipknot]

I would like to own a Ball Python but I don't want something that will constantly refuse food. Is it just a myth about them or is it true?

[CamHanna]

I wouldn't say constantly. Once established they feed well... except for when they don't. They only go off feed now and then. It's not really cause, IMO, to avoid ball pythons.

[BoidKeeper]

If you own enough of them you'll learn that there is no ryhm nor reason to how they eat. I've had some that have never gone off food, I've had males and females refuse for the winter only, I've had females take the summer off. I've had one male refuse food from January to September then eat until January and go off again.
Balls are picky eaters if you can acept that and not let it stress you out then get one. If you think the idea of a snake not eating for 9 months at a time will bother you too much then get something else. There are tons of alternatives to ball pythons. Children's and spotted pythons are better choices if feeding issues are a concern for you.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Bartman]

I totally agree with Trevor. My male hasnt eatin in 3 months now but my two females take down their meals every week (knock on wood :D)

We'll see what happens with them down the road, but its no big deal really if they go off food.

[beanersmysav]

Alls I know is my new BP who is 3 years old ate its first meal offered with me, and will be going for its second thursday. A VERY agressive eater luckily he doesn't confuse my temp gun with a mouse..yet...

I guess I got lucky with my ball

[peterm15]

how long can they safely go off food..

i was reading today in a kids book called, "i didnt know some snakes spit poision" ( i suggest getting it for your younger kids.. its pretty cool.. gives you facts and stuff, in a fun way) and they said some pythons can eat as little as once a year..

[Bartman]

I know the big retics and afrock's in the wild can eat one massive meal and go for at least a year without another meal. Its amazing!

Ive heard of ball's going without food for over a year, but it seems the average is a few months. My males at 3 :(

[HumphreyBoagart]

There's no method to the madness.
I've got a male that ate every 5-7 days, NEVER missed a meal, and then once he hit the 1000g mark he started fasting close to a year ago. He ate 3 SMALL meals in two weeks somewhere in the middle just to resume the fast. He hasn't lost any weight though. I have another male that is going on 5 months fasting too. They eat when they want. Cheaper on the grocery bill though : )

[rwg]

I've seen balls take a year off eating, lose a bit of weight, but be fine. I've heard of balls that went 1.5-2 years without eating. I've seen balls that only eat 3 or 4 times a year and seem healthy.

You would not believe how many BP owners are calling the zoo I volunteer at because their snake wont eat. Some insist on having their snake looked at even though we tell them it's normal to not eat for 2 months.

Now the bad: Just because BPs are notoriously picky eaters doesn't mean it's not your fault. A stressed snake may not eat, and a snake kept in the wrong conditions may not eat.

If fasting will stress you, dont get a BP. If you are not confident in your husbandy, dont get one as you may not be able to tell your errors from your snakes natural unwillingness to eat.

other Roy