Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Not trying to incite a riot here or anything, but this off feed behavior really stinks. Initially, just my ball went off feed (end of January). Then, my other snake--a young blood python--decided to do the same thing the beginning of this month. I had no intention of breeding my ball or anything, and I've kept temps the same right on through the winter for both snakes.

Neither snake has any interest in feeding. I was okay when it was just one, because at least my blood would eat what my ball wouldn't. Now it just ends up being wasted food.

How long does it generally take for this "winter" period to end with snakes? Are they eating again by May?

It's weird to me that if snakes are opportunistic feeders, why do they still have the impulse not to eat when the food is sitting right there in front of them? I can understand the need to fast when food is scarce, but it sure isn't scarce in captivity. It just doesn't make much sense.

Hey, just venting. Anyone ever feel the same way?

I feel ya. Mine has been off since Nov. Luckily I have 5 others to pick up the slack.

The way I understand it, there metabolism pretty much shuts down. As a wild thing, they assume food is not going to come around so it compensates by shutting off. Kinda like the guys on Survivor. After 3 weeks, the body shuts down. The mind sees a steak but the belly thinks, we're not going to eat for forever.

With luck, the fast should end end of March or early April. So, any time now. But could go through May.
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Lead us not into temptation. We can find it on our own.