Please help!!!! She won't eat!

Tararae · 04-06-17, 05:50 PM

My baby female ball python hasn't eaten since around November (it's April now) I've brought her to the vet probably 6 times in that duration of time and nothing has worked and I don't want to bring her again unless I absolutely have to due to the fact she has severe aggression towards everyone except me which has prevented the vets from completing the exam and stresses my snake out. She is a 2yrs old will be 3 in August and is still acting the same as always which is high energy very lovable always wanting to be held. Her current size is 5 foot 1 and I believe 3 pounds but she is losing weight. Please does anyone have any ideas? Should I force feed? Is her health in danger???

**EL Ziggy** · 04-07-17, 06:13 AM

I've had BPs not eat for up to 8 months. If she's not sick I wouldn't worry at all. BPs are known to take long food breaks. If you're really concerned you may want to try a small live feeder or a different prey item like an ASF. I hope she gets back on track for you soon.

Albert Clark · 04-07-17, 07:35 PM

Well, why don't you give us some of the info on her enclosure, setup, temperatures and humidity, hides ? You really shouldn't have to force feed a animal that knows how to eat at 2 years old going on 3. Especially if they aren't ill or injured. Most cases of inappetance in snakes can be directly traced back to their husbandry.

**Tsubaki** · 04-09-17, 07:26 AM

"Always wanting to be held" How often do you handle this animal, and have you tried leaving her be for a while?

Scubadiver59 · 04-09-17, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

"Always wanting to be held" How often do you handle this animal, and have you tried leaving her be for a while?

^^^^^^^^ This...

**Andy_G** · 06-06-17, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

"Always wanting to be held" How often do you handle this animal, and have you tried leaving her be for a while?

I agree. Snakes don't want to be held (whether we like to think so or not

)and this overhandling may be contributing greatly to your problem. Basically when something stops eating you should check all husbandry and make sure the snake is behaving normally otherwise, if that checks out then you cease all handling, and if those two things are causing the issue then it's a matter of waiting things out provided the snake isn't losing significant relative body weight.

TRD · 04-09-17, 11:31 AM

BPs are calm and generally not aggressive but don't like handling one bit. Even if she doesn't snap at you, doesn't mean you don't stress her out. Reading how she goes defensive against anybody but you, doesn't mean she's 100% good with you.

Give her some rest for a while as snakes aren't petting animals, though some individuals tolerate a lot more than others.

Pedroo · 06-05-17, 10:40 AM

My male did not eat since the begining of this year and i,m not worried at all. He lost about 150 grams. When he feels that his body needs food he will eat. He will show signs that he wants to eat