Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball python is about two or three years old, and she has usually eaten regularly. However, about five months ago (at the start of the temperature dropping for winter), she stopped eating. And she hasn't begun again.
At first I thought it was just because it was winter and she didn't want to eat because it was cold, so I wasn't too worried.

Just recently it began to warm up (since I live in Florida), and she started coming out from under her rock at night, which she usually does when she is hungry. So I got her a small rat, her usual food, and tried to give it to her, but she still wouldn't eat it.

Now, I know from experience that she won't eat rats that she thinks are sick; usually if they show visible signs of illness she'll snub the rat. But this most recent one seemed perfectly healthy.

I don't know what to do -- I'm worried about her. Any ideas why she isn't eating?

Sounds like she is just getting a late start this season - keep offering once a week or every other. When she's ready she'll take it. Balls can go over a year soem 2 years without eating so a few months (at this time of year) shouldn't be cause for alarm. Make sure she has all the basics and plenty of fresh water and she'll be fine.
-----
Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.42.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 Lizard of unknown origin

What is temperature in the cage? Do you use any supplemental heat?

I use a heating lamp on half the tank. Right now the warm half is 86 degrees, and the cool half is 74.