Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I have noticed in my three year old male ball python (Monty) an increase in weigth. He is currently hibernating and I was wondering if it is unusaul for balls to gain a bit of weigth at this time. He has been eating regularly until this time, however today he refused his mouse. The first time since I first brougth him home.

Thannx!

Ball pythons don't hibernate.
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www.strictlyballs.ca

Ball pythons can gain or lose weight at any time of the year.
It is all based on how much they are eating (and to a much
smaller extent, how much they drink). If they are eating a
lot during the winter, they will gain weight. If they go on
a 6 month hunger strike (which isn't uncommon), they will
lose weight. I've had females pack on a 1000g during the
winter. Perhaps some of them get triggered into thinking
they should be breeding soon and need to put on additional
weight (of course ideally they would have been prepared for
the season ahead of time...).

If an animal is not eating or drinking, they cannot gain
any weight. Even during egg development, they cannot
'spontaneously' gain weight. During that timeframe, fat
reserves of the animal are being converted into developing
follicles/eggs.

Hope this helps...good luck.
Chris

Balls tend to go on and off feed regularly. It's just the way they are. If he has only missed one or two "mealtines" then I wouldn't worry. Every Ball I ahve ever owned and currently own has gone "off feed" at variuos times for various reasons and as stated ealier up to six months or more with no negative effects, as a matter of fact my 2footer juvie just came off of a three week fast.

If you feel that it truly unusual start at the beginning and check the evironment.

It sounds like your snake has jsut been pigging out and doesn't feel the need to eat right now. Wait acouple of days and try again, repeat this process until he starts.

good luck let us know if we can help some more

Thank you all for your advice. I think the assumption that he may be gaining weigth because for the breeding season could be rigth since he is sexually mature. Also he may just be watching his weigth now, lol. (My mom keps telling him he's fat.)