Spotted python not eaten in three months?

Philmul · 02-19-13, 05:56 PM

Hi I have a girl on my facebook group asking about her spotted python. Are they prone to being picky eaters? She got it in November which it was eating regularly and since she has had it its not eaten which is 4 months. Any suggestions? She has tried in and out of the viv. Tried mice and rats.

Lankyrob · 02-19-13, 06:14 PM

Sounds like she needs to try consistency, pick a method and a prey item and stick to it until the snake feeds.

How old is it and how is it kept? If the husbandry is spot on and the snake is healthy i personally wouldnt be too concerned yet.

Desert · 02-19-13, 06:54 PM

Gender may be an issue; mature males can take the whole winter off feed. So can like minded females.

Philmul · 02-20-13, 04:11 AM

Some idiot advising her to assist feed at this stage. I

red ink · 02-20-13, 04:48 AM

Scent the prey with a finch or a budgie.... Shove some feathers in the preys mouth. There is definitely no need to assist feed at this stage, being in the Northern hemisphere it's still just coming out of winter there. I had my spotted go off for 6 months and only lost 35 grams the whole six months over autumn through winter to early spring. If it's not lost any condition then definitely try scenting with avian prey to kick start it again.

Who ever suggested to assist feed, definitely knows nothing about Antaresias.

My stimsons python male did the same last year and he was only a year and a half old at under 200 grams.... soon as the weather heated up again so did his appetite with no condition lost at all.