Pika's not eating

[alessia55]

Yes, I haven't been on the forum in a while. Please don't ask me where I've been- I don't care to explain my absence. Please don't be offended.

I have a question though... Most of you know my lovely Pika (the albino), and he's always had a ridiculously good feeding response. I barely shake the wet rat and he would strike, coil, and eat it, no questions asked. Now he's refused two meals in a row (one last week, one this week). Nothing in his husbandry has changed. Everything is spot on (temps, humidity, everything, as always). I haven't changed his hides, or anything else. I also haven't changed the way I thaw the rat or the way I feed him. Same timeframe, same routine, same everything.

It's strange because I'm usually on the other end of these sorts of posts giving the answers. So I know the answer- don't worry if he hasn't lost weight, keep offering once a week, leave the f/t rat overnight, double check your husbandry, etc. He's only 7 or so months old, so I don't suspect he's in breeding mode or anything like that. He's also totally adjusted in his enclosure, so it's not that he needs more time to "settle in," seeing as he's been eating for me for months without fail until now.

Can anyone shed light on what might be causing my once-voracious Pika to go on a food strike all of a sudden? I'm used to Kaybe being a finicky eater (my other BP), but this is the first time I've seen Pika act so disinterested in food. I can't stress enough how good of a eater he used to be (always had to be careful not to get my fingers near him during feeding time), so I'm worried about this sudden change in behavior.

[Bradyloach]

I can't. But I missed you :)

[BarelyBreathing]

Shedding light: He's a ball python.

I missed you, too, Alessia. You don't need to explain anything.

[alessia55]

Shedding light: He's a ball python.

I figured this would be the answer. :rolleyes: I was hoping for some new, genius explanation though.

[BarelyBreathing]

Hold on, let me tap into my inner genius... ohm.... ohm.... ohm.....

Nope, I got nothing.

[Snakefood]

can't explain it, but nice to have you back!!

[millertime89]

Shedding light: He's a ball python.

I missed you, too, Alessia. You don't need to explain anything.

I as well.

can't explain it, but nice to have you back!!

werd yo

and you're welcome.

[Lankyrob]

Can i just second third and fourth that i have missed you too :)

[shaunyboy]

as your snake gets older feeding patterns may change

i've had young hatchlings who will eat right the way through the shedding proccess,then once they get older,they refuse to eat leading up to and during a shed

imo,young males can still go into breeding mode at a very early age

a hatchling and an older snakes eating patterns can vary snake to snake

as you know Alessia its nothing to worry about

cheers shaun

[MoreliAddict]

Imo he's either coming up to a shed or just refusing a few meals because that's what some healthy ball pythons do (for instance, this is the second thread on the front page about a ball python that won't eathttp://www.lilwaynehq.com/forums/images/smilies/coffee.gif).

You're a good ball python mom, I have no doubts he'll be okay. Hope all is well.

[SpOoKy]

Hiiiiiii!!!!
Misssssssed youuuuuuuuu!!!!!
welcome baaaaaack!!!!

and yup...Pika's a ball :)

[Will0W783]

Hello Alessia, glad you're back.

As for Pika, it really is not unusual for ball pythons to go off of food periodically. My male Saleen will randomly refuse food for several months, then start right back up, then off again, then on again...it seems to be just a random thing.

Remember, in the wild these snakes would not be receiving regular, substantial meals. If he begins to lose weight, or you notice any swelling (indicative of blockage), or signs of RI show up, get him a vet check. Otherwise, keep offering food once every 10-14 days. He will eat when he is hungry.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this- it is really stressful when a snake wont' eat.

[KORBIN5895]

Well I for one think we need pics if we are to determine what is wrong.

[alessia55]

Well I for one think we need pics if we are to determine what is wrong.

Proof for Korbin that Pika is alive and well but stubborn as hell :rolleyes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/alessia55/IMG_1067.jpg

[Snakefood]

don't forget GORGEOUS!!

[jaleely]

HIII Hun!!!

And my thought is....he's realizing he's a boy and boys are brats and tend to go through not eating more often than girls..maybe he's hitting puberty! lol

[millertime89]

HIII Hun!!!

And my thought is....he's realizing he's a boy and boys are brats and tend to go through not eating more often than girls..maybe he's hitting puberty! lol

lol, its sad, but true, we are.

[Lankyrob]

Trouble is puberty seems to last until we are in our 80's ;) :p

[Snakefood]

Trouble is puberty seems to last until we are in our 80's ;) :p

Or till death!!

[millertime89]

Or till death!!

usually this one.

[Snakefood]

Millertime, I love your honesty!! LOL

[millertime89]

Millertime, I love your honesty!! LOL

I grow tired of the BS. I know its the truth, why hide/sugarcoat it? I have accepted that I'm an immature **** and I'm ok with that. If only I could find a woman that accepted that she's crazy and just hides it on some days better than others I would be set.

Call me Kyle, everyone else here does, or should.

[mykee]

As long as the husbandry is spot on, and he's not losing too much weight, just wait him out. Ball pythons tend to eat when they want, they never got our anal memo that they need to eat every time we attempt to feed them.

[Snakefood]

As long as the husbandry is spot on, and he's not losing too much weight, just wait him out. Ball pythons tend to eat when they want, they never got our anal memo that they need to eat every time we attempt to feed them.

Why the hell not, we sent the memo, didn't we??

And Kyle, most of us are well aware we're crazy, we just don't say it out loud!!

[SpOoKy]

And Kyle, most of us are well aware we're crazy, we just don't say it out loud!!

lol +1

I tell my bf that I know I am crazy, but then I ask "what are ya gonna do about it" ? :)

[Snakefood]

I tell my hubby that he chose and chased me so what does that make him? LMAO!!

Of course, I'm a redhead, so...........whatcha expect????

[Lankyrob]

As long as the husbandry is spot on, and he's not losing too much weight, just wait him out. Ball pythons tend to eat when they want, they never got our anal memo that they need to eat every time we attempt to feed them.


I glued the memo to the inside of my Royal's viv, but the silly thing hasnt read it :no: :no:

[millertime89]

Why the hell not, we sent the memo, didn't we??

And Kyle, most of us are well aware we're crazy, we just don't say it out loud!!

I've only met a few and they're always taken, wonder why... is it possible to be sane and crazy at the same time?

I glued the memo to the inside of my Royal's viv, but the silly thing hasnt read it :no: :no:

LOL!

[BarelyBreathing]

Sane is boring.

[alessia55]

My first post since coming back gets hijacked. Go figure. Missed you guys too though

[Snakefood]

My first post since coming back gets hijacked. Go figure. Missed you guys too though

well, we know you know what your doing!! :laugh:

So we're having fun!! And I especially missed you!!

Kyle- absolutely possible to be sane and crazy at the same time!! it's coupled with the redhead gene!!LOL

[BarelyBreathing]

Ooops. *Innocent face* Sorry!

[millertime89]

lol, I've known several blondes that seemed to carry both attributes, and then turned out to be 100% crazy with no sanity whatsoever.

[Snakefood]

lol, I've known several blondes that seemed to carry both attributes, and then turned out to be 100% crazy with no sanity whatsoever.

need I say more??

[Snakefood]

So, Alessia: any luck with getting oika to take a meal yet??

[KORBIN5895]

There are two types of women in the world; the pretty ones and the sane ones.

[alessia55]

So, Alessia: any luck with getting oika to take a meal yet??

Nah, going to try at the end of this week. I'm giving him a few extra days to get a little hungrier ;)

[Snakefood]

ok, I'll bite,

I think I'm both pretty and sane (most of the time anyways!!)

[Snakefood]

Nah, going to try at the end of this week. I'm giving him a few extra days to get a little hungrier ;)


good idea!!

[Rogue628]

Alessia, my friend's royal has refused for a month now. Although it unnerves my friend, I know it's normal for royals. He's tried every trick in the book to get him to eat and Trouser still refuses (yes, his snake's name is Trouser lol). I have to give him assurance each time food's refused that it's ok. As long as he's not losing alot of weight he'll be fine and that it's probably due to him wanting to breed.

My own royals rarely miss a meal but when they do, I do get somewhat concerned. When one of my hatchlings refused for almost 2 months when I first got her, I was frantic. I think I cried a little when she finally ate for me lol

I do hope he eats for you soon for your own piece of mind. :)

[alessia55]

Alessia, my friend's royal has refused for a month now. Although it unnerves my friend, I know it's normal for royals. He's tried every trick in the book to get him to eat and Trouser still refuses (yes, his snake's name is Trouser lol). I have to give him assurance each time food's refused that it's ok. As long as he's not losing alot of weight he'll be fine and that it's probably due to him wanting to breed.

My own royals rarely miss a meal but when they do, I do get somewhat concerned. When one of my hatchlings refused for almost 2 months when I first got her, I was frantic. I think I cried a little when she finally ate for me lol

I do hope he eats for you soon for your own piece of mind. :)

Thanks! I'm well ware of ball python picky habits. I'm not worried at all- just annoyed and frustrated since Pika was such a ravenous eater. :rolleyes: Kaybe hasn't eaten since January but hasn't lost hardly any weight and looks good as always. He's always been my troublesome one. I'm going to wait Pika out until the end of the week and hopefully he'll be hungry enough.

[OSMDEATHOWNER]

Imo he's either coming up to a shed or just refusing a few meals because that's what some healthy ball pythons do (for instance, this is the second thread on the front page about a ball python that won't eathttp://www.lilwaynehq.com/forums/images/smilies/coffee.gif).

You're a good ball python mom, I have no doubts he'll be okay. Hope all is well.

I agree, where as, I've received most of my helpful intelligence from you. I hope everything turns out fine nd im sure it will.

[MaddieSnakes]

Tesla's doing that to me right now, I tried feeding him Monday night, nothing. Tried feeding him tonight, the rat's still sitting in there, gonna leave it overnight and see what happens. If he doesn't eat this one, I might weigh him to make sure he hasn't lost weight and then try again in another week or two. I've only got four F/T rats left, and they're so expensive (to me, anyway. Damn student loans!). -sigh-

[alessia55]

Tesla's doing that to me right now, I tried feeding him Monday night, nothing. Tried feeding him tonight, the rat's still sitting in there, gonna leave it overnight and see what happens. If he doesn't eat this one, I might weigh him to make sure he hasn't lost weight and then try again in another week or two. I've only got four F/T rats left, and they're so expensive (to me, anyway. Damn student loans!). -sigh-

I should've updated my thread, Pika is eating for me again.
It's just a ball python thing- they like to go on small (and sometimes long) hunger strikes. Your technique is correct- offer it, leave it overnight, remove it in the morning if it's still there. Don't offer again for another 7-10 days. Offering any more often will stress Tesla out. They can easily go months without eating and without losing weight (my older ball python just went 3 months without eating and just resumed eating for me this past week, and he lost virtually no weight). So don't worry about it. Just keep offering consistently every 7-10 days and he'll eventually give in. If you're worried about going through the rats so quickly and losing them because they're expensive, offer every 14 days until he eats. It'll just give him time to get hungrier ;)

[MaddieSnakes]

Yeah, Tesla finally ate too, I did a little dance.

[millertime89]

Yeah, Tesla finally ate too, I did a little dance.

Hey! I'm in Lincoln too! Let me know if you ever need any help and I would be glad to.