My snake hasn't eaten in 6 months..?

[Rootsy]

Hello,

I just joined today. Anyhoo, I have a 2 year old ball python. He used to have a ravenous appetite and did quite well with live rats. About 6 months ago, he just stopped eating and I don't know why. He is still active, but whenever I put a rat in he's just not interested. I have also tried the pre-killed frozen rats (thawed out of course). Any suggestions? How long can he go without food? I'm worried..thanks.

Kat

[Aaron_S]

Aslong as he isn't losing weight and he's still getting water he should be fine. Sometimes, ball pythons randomly go off feed. Especially if it was wild caught. Try bumping it's humidity up.

[Rootsy]

Thanks Aaron..

[snakemaster1]

sometimes with ball pythons you can try using an inverted CLAY flower pot as a hiding house. just cut a hole in the side of the flower pot for the python to go in and out . the clay in the flower pot smells like the clay in the termite mounds where w/c ball pythons are captured in Africa so they feel at home.

[mykee]

What Aaron said. Ball pythons stop eating. That's what they do. If he hasn't lost a substantial amount of weight, don't worry. If you are worried, try tossing a smaller live rat in there SUPERVISED for a while. That may kick back in his feeding response.

[crackedcorn]

sometimes with ball pythons you can try using an inverted CLAY flower pot as a hiding house. just cut a hole in the side of the flower pot for the python to go in and out . the clay in the flower pot smells like the clay in the termite mounds where w/c ball pythons are captured in Africa so they feel at home.

Interesting, i have never heard tell of that, makes sense though, good idea

[Aaron_S]

I have never heard of this clay pot feeling like home. Ball pythons, captive bred, do not know what a termite mound is. They know, dark, hard places that make them feel secure. That is what the clay pot gives. They do make good hides for snakes. Again though, a captive bred ball python, which a lot are, do not know what the smell of a termite mound is.

[IJLVR]

Like everyone said....especially with Ball Pythons, going off food isn't uncommon and is sometimes the rule rather than the exception.

One of my Carpet pythons who was a strong feeder decided to stop eating after i'd put her in an enclosure that was too large for her....even putting her back in her old cage didn't work.

Finally after a couple months, I tried putting her with her prey in a vented pot with some paper towel and put the cover over....an hour later the food was gone and she ate again the same way four days later.

[Rootsy]

Like everyone said....especially with Ball Pythons, going off food isn't uncommon and is sometimes the rule rather than the exception.

One of my Carpet pythons who was a strong feeder decided to stop eating after i'd put her in an enclosure that was too large for her....even putting her back in her old cage didn't work.

Finally after a couple months, I tried putting her with her prey in a vented pot with some paper towel and put the cover over....an hour later the food was gone and she ate again the same way four days later.
Thank you for the insight. I'm wondering if the enclosure is the problem. I had moved him into a larger enclosure and since then, he hasn't eaten. I didn't connect the 2 until just reading your post!

How big is the vented pot you used in relation to your snake?

[Aaron_S]

You don't have to use a vented pot. Anything that is dark and the snake can breathe in will suffice.

[IJLVR]

Thank you for the insight. I'm wondering if the enclosure is the problem. I had moved him into a larger enclosure and since then, he hasn't eaten. I didn't connect the 2 until just reading your post!

How big is the vented pot you used in relation to your snake?

Aaron is right

Try something just big enough for the snake to fit in the bottom without coiling over itself....anything that is dark and ventilated is good. Leave it there overnight with the prey and resist the urge to disturb and check to see if its working.

check in the morning

If you're snake went off food right after you changed enclosures i'm betting this does the trick.

[Rootsy]

My snake finally ate! Thank to all of you for your help.