Reptile & Amphibian Forums

She has still not eaten yet... I keep ofering her food but she will not come out of her hide spot at all like she is looking for food and does not seem interested. It has been 4 months now... when would you say it is time to take her to the vet?

I take it you are referring to your ball python? How old is she? How does she look physicaly, underweight, wrinkly etc? You mentioned she is actively moving about her cage which is a good sign. What food have you offered it so far and how? (ie live, prekilled, frozen/thawed, whole etc?) Also, is it male or female? What are your cage temperatures? Hotspot and cool end? Has anything changed in it's environment before she stopped eating?

For an adult ball python 4 months without food isn't a concern, many will fast as long as a year without any ill effects.

Once I have more details I can give some recommendations on how to entice it to feed, if he doesn't look in bad shape. If he does look in bad shape or you have noticed he has been dropping alot of weight, a vet visit will be necessary. If he hasn't really lost much weight and looks in good condition, then alternative methods to try and get him to eat can be used (eating on his own that is).

Hi,
well I put a mouse in the tank and left it there overnight came back and it was gone. There is no way the mouse could have gotten out so I take it she ate... They other day I moved her hide spot and I saw that she started drinking out of her water bowl. So she cant be that bad. Im going to try and feed her again in a week. I just wish I could see it happen. Thats how the pet store was feeding her, I dont like to put live mice or rats in without me watching but thats how she is used to being fed. They would put the live rat in and walk away, leaving it there overnight. She wont take a dead one. Thanks for all your help, I will continue to keep an eye on her.