Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings

My 2 y.o. female ball python used to be a good, active eater of f/t rats, first pups then juvy rats from May to November last year. She didn't eat though most of December or January, ate a few small meals in February and early March of this year,and until tonight wasn't showing much interest to signal taps on the glass, even though I was ready to offer her food twice a week, and did try to offer once a week for a while, but ended up throwing away the rat the next day.
Her tank temps were admittedly an issue for a while (too high), but I think we've had them pretty stable now for the last couple months.
Tonight, out of the blue, and from my effort to save some money, I offered her some f/t rat pups and she's actually eaten 2 so far (I just offered her a 3rd).
I've had a male ball go off food for up to 6 months, but I've been told that this is not really supposed to happen.
My Question is: Where do I go from here? Keep feeding her f/t pinky rats (3 or so at a time if she takes them)? Or see if her appetite is back and try the small rats again?

Sorry for the long post.
Glad Hopey's eating on her own,
Antigone

It is perfectly normal for adult balls to go off feed during breeding season. It is good start with a smaller meal,Then offer her a regular size, she may not want to eat for a bit longer, as long as she is not losing a large amount of weight she will be fine.

Thank you for responding
Now for the Newb question: when is breeding season for these guys? Since I never wanted to breed ball pythons, it wasn't a topic I looked into. And I never thought about it as a reason for going off feed. We only have the one ball (the other is permanently adopted by a friend several hours away).

Antigone

End of sept begining of oct, usually they begin to eat again around
May. Some sooner than others. Even if you dont breed them they know.