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Help!! my ball wont eat!!

She is about a year and a half, I have had her since she was hatched, and she has always been a wonderful eater! Never turned down a meal at all...EVER! (thats a lie, she actually will only eat live or freshly killed...and it has to be solid white no color at all) It has been almost a month now since she has had food, and I know this is not really that long and this may be nothing more then her first official winter hunger strike, but still I am concerned. My brother in law is an exotic vet. and he told me just raise the heat and humidity and it would be fine but alas that didn't work.

*fast facts*
-heat= 80-85
-humidity= high 70's
-near perfect shed late yesterday and pooped this morning
-she used to eat 1-3 times every two weeks depending on the size
-only eats solid white food
-was on small(ish) rats...have been trying with XL-mice (due to lack of solid white rats)
-normally has no problem switching back and forth between rats and mice
-was using cage carpet, then switched to aspen
- people have recommended just leaving the food in there with her and she will eventually eat it, but thanks to pictures and articles found on this site i refuse to leave her with live food unattended.

PLEASE HELP

Forgot to mention she does seem moderately interested in the food, but just doesn't go for it, and when the mouse sniffs at her she completely withdraws, only to start again in a few seconds!

1) Make sure she's a she! Might be male sexual maturity!

2) I noticed you switched to shavings! Has it eaten since you've switched? If not, I'll bet that's the reason!

Haha, when she was given to me I was told she was a he... but I have had her sexed twice (wanted a second opinion because i want her to be a him ) and she was unanimously declared to be a she.

also just changed bedding today, after 28 days of hunger strike

ball pythons are known for there picky eating i have had several go off feed for a month and even two but they turned right around and started to eat agian you seem to have all the care down right it cold be just the weather give her some time and keep offering it to her she will eat when she is ready hope this helps

She is just being a ball python. I have females that haven't eaten for 3-4 months at a time, it's just what they do; not to mention it's coming on breeding season. I have females that haven't eaten for the past 2 months. I would not worry at all, unless she starts losing a fair amount of weight.

Eric

a month is nothing to worry about at all! just keep everything the same, there's no need to change the norm.

i've had balls go off feed for over 9 months straight. then all of a sudden start eating again like nothing ever happened.

this is the nature of ball pythons. you have to accept it or move on to another species.

Pitoon

>>Help!! my ball wont eat!!
>>
>>She is about a year and a half, I have had her since she was hatched, and she has always been a wonderful eater! Never turned down a meal at all...EVER! (thats a lie, she actually will only eat live or freshly killed...and it has to be solid white no color at all) It has been almost a month now since she has had food, and I know this is not really that long and this may be nothing more then her first official winter hunger strike, but still I am concerned. My brother in law is an exotic vet. and he told me just raise the heat and humidity and it would be fine but alas that didn't work.
>>
>>*fast facts*
>>-heat= 80-85
>>-humidity= high 70's
>>-near perfect shed late yesterday and pooped this morning
>>-she used to eat 1-3 times every two weeks depending on the size
>>-only eats solid white food
>>-was on small(ish) rats...have been trying with XL-mice (due to lack of solid white rats)
>>-normally has no problem switching back and forth between rats and mice
>>-was using cage carpet, then switched to aspen
>>- people have recommended just leaving the food in there with her and she will eventually eat it, but thanks to pictures and articles found on this site i refuse to leave her with live food unattended.
>>
>>
>>PLEASE HELP
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I wouldn't be worried....I've had ball pythons that have not eaten for months at a time. It might be just the breeding season.
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Sed et serpens erat callidior cunctis animantibus terrae quae fecerat Dominus Deus...

1) It's winter (regardless of what temp you keep them at...somehow they know)
2) It's the breeding season
3) She's a ball python...all reptiles are designed to fast for long periods but BP's are right up there with the best of the best.

Don't worry.