Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had this python for almost 3 years now. She's always had a healthy appetite, easily putting away a rat a week, but the past two months she's only eaten twice - refusing all the other meals that have been offered. But other than lack of appetite she appears to be perfectly healthy, so I'm wondering if she's sick, or if it's something else. I've heard about snakes going into some sort of hibernation-like state before but none of my snakes have ever done it so I didn't pay much attention. Do snakes hibernate? If/when they do, do they *actually* sleep the whole time or are they awake but just not as active as usual? Is there a particular time of the year? How long is it supposed to last? Is there anything I can do to make her come out of hibernation? Or is it better to let her come out of it on her own? Other than lack of appetite she seems perfectly healthy. Any & all advice would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks,
Jori

i havent worked with water pythons, but, ive kept macklots pythons, which are supposedly very similar. my macks were my garbage pails, if anything didnt eat the macks got it (unless the original snake got its mouth on the prey item). my male never missed a meal in the first 2 years of his life, his first winter as a sexually mature adult however was different, he wanted nothing to do with food, he hadnt really been cycled, and it was already late december, but i took the chance got a young adult female and introduced them. he shed 2 days later and locked up with his new girlfriend many many times over the next 2 months. however the female was a little young and didnt take. but, it explained my males lack of feeding. your water python could be in breed mode..in which case shell come out of it on her own, just keep offering prey periodically. but if you still dont feel better, call a vet and schedule an appointment.

J
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Jaymz
"got a bowlin ball in my stomache, got a desert in my mouth. figures that my courage would choose to sell out now..."

she most likly is not eating due to breeding season, due you have a male?, is she leaving "blood trails", in her tank?, let me know, also the temps and stuff so we can figure it out. i have a pair that i have been working with for some time, and they can be tricky snakes, here is my girl