Surprise! He won't eat...

Cherry4812 · 10-25-09, 11:18 AM

I know you've all heard this a million times but i'm going to make it a million and one... my ball python won't eat. I've read tons of posts on here, other forums, and many ball python care sheets and i've tried a few techniques but nothing but live seems to be working. I'll give you all the info if you want but my main two questions are: how long can a snake (maybe 4 months old) go without eating? and it's october and starting to get cold and i heard they may not eat when it's cold, so could this be the case? i know older snakes can go a long time without eating but i haven't heard if it's the same for a younger one.

mykee · 10-25-09, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherry4812

've read tons of posts on here, other forums, and many ball python care sheets and i've tried a few techniques but nothing but live seems to be working.

Seems you've just answered your very own question.

Cherry4812 · 10-25-09, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

Seems you've just answered your very own question.

Actually my question was how long a baby ball python can go without eating. I would like to get him on not live because i've heard that once they get older the live mice (more likely rats) can hurt him.
He was eating f/t mice when his owner gave him to me.

mykee · 10-27-09, 09:21 PM

Oh sorry, the answer to your only question (I thought that there might have been more than one) is no more than maybe six to eight weeks at that age.

citysnakes · 10-28-09, 11:58 AM

so he was eating previous to you caring for him. how long have you had him and what are you doing differently than the previous owner?

Wolfus_305 · 11-08-09, 06:34 PM

Hi there,
I have a 6 year old bp that just went 11.5 months without eating. I tried everything.
I know it gets frustrating, trust me, i know.
Hmm i know you say you've read other posts/care sheets but be sure to double check humidity/temps in your enclosure. Also, how long have you had the snake, if you just got it then stress from the move could be the problem. I would also suggest not handling it at all, and only going in the enclosure to change water/mist etc.
I also noticed that the smallest of details made a difference. the type of mouse/rat the fur colour/gender and how it was heated up. the first couple times i tried it i couldn't stand the feeling of wet rat fur so i tried warming it up (from frozen) in hot water inside a bag, although he didn't eat when i tried heating it up without the bag, he did seem more interested.
Good luck!
Kendra

mykee · 11-08-09, 08:27 PM

What this thread should have read was: my ball python won't eat anything except live. The answer to which is; feed live or be prepared to starve your snake TO DEATH. Seems like an easy one really. It ain't your choice as to what it'll eat, but it is your choice whether or not it'll die.