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I have a just-turned-4 male BP who has refused to eat for about 5 weeks now. I know they often stop for no reason in the middle of winter, but I've had him almot the full 4 years and he has ALWAYS been a steady eater (eats every week, no problems, except when about to shed).

He has a nice warm Vision cage with a radiant heat panel & good humidity. He's in good condition, but since he's never stopped before, I'm getting worried. He always looks interested, and licks all around it, but then just wanders off.

When should I really start to worry? I've been trying him every 2-3 days now, and am alternating mice & rats in case he decided he doesn't like either. I try the wiggle, and I make sure they're warm. He's never had live, so I don't really want to try that. Anything else I should try?

Thanks!!

Balls are known as the most difficult eaters probably in the Python world. Going on and off favorite foods throughout their life can be a norm, and as you note a sexually mature male (your probably just hit that) does go off feed if cooled in winter...often. Whatever the scenario if he is healthy, active and not loosing weight don't panic. Balls can go a long time wihthout eating, I think the record was nearly two years with no noticebale adverse health effect. We have some that don't eat all winter no matter what we do so 3 months. Then they start back up hammering food. Just be patient most do eventually snap out of this. We go at two week intervals trying to get them back on fooed, alternating what type of rodent we are offereing seeing if that makes any difference, including colors. We try the brown bag method, braining method and others to get them going again if we think we have a problem...for winterng snakes we just leave them be.
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Mike and David at 3-D Pythons
www.3dpythons.com

Sounds like he is "interested" in something besides food.

>>I have a just-turned-4 male BP who has refused to eat for about 5 weeks now. I know they often stop for no reason in the middle of winter, but I've had him almot the full 4 years and he has ALWAYS been a steady eater (eats every week, no problems, except when about to shed).
>>
>>He has a nice warm Vision cage with a radiant heat panel & good humidity. He's in good condition, but since he's never stopped before, I'm getting worried. He always looks interested, and licks all around it, but then just wanders off.
>>
>>When should I really start to worry? I've been trying him every 2-3 days now, and am alternating mice & rats in case he decided he doesn't like either. I try the wiggle, and I make sure they're warm. He's never had live, so I don't really want to try that. Anything else I should try?
>>
>>
>>Thanks!!