BP Brumination

[jejton]

I have an adult male ( at least thats what I was told when I adopted it a few months ago but I've never had it probed ) BP. Its original owner told me that he tends to bruminate in the winter when it cools down. The basement where it is housed tends to have an ambient temp in the mid-high 70's nowadays but there is also a heat mat under his hide. I dont have a light on the cage so the lighting is ambient light from my other enclosures( 12 hours a day ) and little outside light. I suspect his is bruminating because he has not expressed interest in food over the last three weeks ( he eats 1 large FT rat a week usually ) and has spend more time in his hide. I am unsure though becuase he has come out a couple of times and does poke his head out of his hide when I am around (could happen when I'm not around too but I wouldnt know ). He is not dehydrated, and doesnt appear to be ill - he's plump, and there haven't been any changes in his housing or feeding. Does this sound like he's bruminating? I didnt think he would with the temps in the basement being pretty constant. If he isn't bruminating, how long should I wait before offering food again? I've offered twice in the last two weeks and he expressed no interest ( even though the first time was offered a few hours after he was out exploring the cage which he usually does when hungry ) and I ended up throwing the rats out ( I'm not sure if its ok to refreeze them). Well sorry for the long winded post and thanks for any advice.

[mykee]

Ball pythons, unlike colubrids, do not "brumate". They do however take cues from the environment that your provide to begin the breeding process. Some males tend to go off feed in the winter time. When bred, they usually eat longer into the season as they'll need extra energy to breed. I would continue to offer food OR get the temps back up to normal 90-95 24 hours a day, not 12 so that he will begin eating again. Lighting is not important.