Can They Starve Themselves?

[bbkaren]

Hi, we had a baby ball (about 26") python a year or so ago who stopped eating. I read over and over about how they do that and it's not a big deal.

He had eaten a mouse a week for about 3 weeks that we had him. Then he stopped. We fed him a vitamin drop or two every couple days and tried him with food weekly; then he died after about a month and a half of not eating--

My son was grief-stricken and I was guilt-stricken; we should have obviously force-fed him. But at what point? I know it's traumatic for both parties and would rather he take it himself.

Reason I ask is we have a ball we rescued a few days ago, an adult. And it was fed (get this!) seven mice, one a day, about two months ago and hasn't been fed since. We tried him today with a mouse and he looked interested but balled back up so I guess he's just timid. But of course I'm neurotic now because of the other one!

Any words of encouragement? I'm really nervous. :(

[Quervo]

Well, first off .. don't feel guilty about your firsy ball .. it's highly unlikely that it died from not eating. If a ball is healthy (yours was obviously eating .. was it overly skinny?) it should be able to last for months without any real problems. (mine is working on it's third month of not eating right now) To die after only a month or so makes me think it had other problems.

As for your current snake, first off (and your comment about "get this" makes me think you understand) one mouse a day is really hard on their digestive system. I think your current problem could be that you are trying too soon .. if you have only had it a couple of days, it will still be a little stressed to eat .. make sure it has some nice hidey places and let it alone for about a week and then try again. I find they eat better late at night after their lights are out.

Hope some of that helps .. and don't get too nervous :D

[Big Mike]

It does not sound like the first one starved. If it ate 3 mice in 3 weeks...thta would be enough for it to survive longer than a month and a half. Do you know the history of that snake? Was it from a pet store or anyplace that would sell a wild caught? It might have had paracites.

Force feeding is very stressfull and should be a last resort.

Let the new one settle in for a while before you handle him or offer food. Make sure the temps are OK and that it can hide. If he's balling up he may be scared and/or stressed. It might also be a good idea to get a few meals into him before you handle him. If he does not eat, consider taking him to a good vet for a check up.

Good Luck and keep us posted.