Yes:If you’re absolutely sure it is, this is not the problem. Supposedly he ate last week Monday, so I tried giving him this Monday a frozen-thawed mouse, no success. He;s just like he always is, but just not eating. (For frozen/thawed feeders:) Is your ball python defrosted and warmed thoroughly enough? I wanted a place to share all the tips & advice I dug up while I was researching pet care, hoping the research I did could help others along the way. When this is the case, the tips in the next section will help. As mentioned earlier, some ball pythons are very picky about the type of prey they want. Food size for ball pythons is important – prey’s thickest girth should be a bit less or equal to thickest girth of your ball python. Your ball python may have a lumpy appearance as her follicles grow. He's gone so far as to come face-to-face with the mouse and smell it, but then he just acts confused. 2 This is the time ball pythons … My Ball Python, Fluffy, is somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 years old. And, the older they get the slower it gets. The rodent can turn the tables and attack the snake (especially rats, which can be quite aggressive). Hey, I'm not inexperienced with snakes per-se, but I've never seen this before. Also remember that ball pythons don’t need to eat constantly! Ball python food size. Some keepers like to feed live rodents, believing it is more “natural” and secretly enjoying the “hunt”. They thrive at temperatures above 90°F (32°C). That being said, it is only in very, very rare cases that ball pythons have ever starved themselves to death, so while it isn’t ideal that a ball python is not eating regularly, this is very unlikely to be fatal to your pet. You’ll find the snake lying on its back sometimes, unaware that … Is your ball python eating the right sized prey (width of the prey should be just slightly larger than the widest part of your ball python)? It's only been a few weeks, it just puts me off a little. Adult ball pythons have been reported to go without food for over a year, so if your adult ball python has not eaten in a couple of months, but still looks healthy and isn’t overly thin, try not to worry too much, as he or she will likely not starve any time soon. Gravid ball pythons lay eggs around 45 days after ovulating. Ball pythons make great pet snakes for both beginner snake enthusiasts and more experienced owners who enjoy the varying color morphs. Washing Hands Before and After Snake Handling. Look for that S curved neck with their head sticking out of their hut. 1. That’s all for now. And the older ball pythons will eat just once a week. Defrost it, warm it up, and then get something sharp to poke a hole in its head so its brain is exposed. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. We love them by any name! Good site, thanks. You will notice a sudden swelling of the abdomen when she ovulates. I have a BP too, named Charlie. How Dangerous is a Snake With Salmonella? First, make sure that you’re feeding your ball python the proper size of mice or rats. Thanks for the advice, Kbomb! Having read your advice, I feel a lot happier about things , but still hope that he starts feeding again soon, to put my mind at rest. Gravid ball pythons usually go off their food, and refuse meals. Rocky, my Ball Python has always eaten once a week, until six weeks ago. He’s only about a year old and less than 2 feet long. Let’s also not forget that ball pythons often go off their food during the winter months. A very young ball python can potentially eat every 5-7 days. I believe consistent, reliable access to prey and supervised nutrition is in the best interest of promoting the animals welfare in captivity. They’re already anticipating quite a task ahead of them, and eating is the last thing on their mind! Offer Your Ball Python a Different Type of Prey. Keep trying. Definitely agree there. I’ve written this troubleshooting guide to help ball python owners figure out if there is something within their power they can try to help their ball python feel more comfortable eating. If none of these sound right to you, your ball python probably hasn’t had its hunting instincts triggered. Is it possible that your ball python is going to shed soon? Illness is the most pressing reason why your snake may not be eating. Good luck! We open up a world of colors, patterns and knowledge and we give you the opportunity to share your opinions and your knowledge on our facebook page and forums. The reluctance to eat seems normal with this species of snake. Press J to jump to the feed. Ball Pythons ( Python regius) are hot temperature snakes. Not only snakes but many reptiles lose their appetites when they are about to shed. Make sure to keep an eye on their water bowl. Is your ball python eating the right sized prey (width of the prey should be just slightly larger than the widest part of your ball python)? I've tried with two different mice now, so he's not just being picky. Here is another possibility that nobody has mentioned- These could be defensive, not feeding, strikes. She won't eat and is scared of her food, Ball python, I've only had her for 3 weeks and she has never eaten for me she - Answered by a verified Veterinarian We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Therefore, getting finicky ball pythons to eat frozen-thawed prey (dead prey that has been frozen and defrosted) can take some experimentation and guesswork. I left the mouse in the cage overnight, but it didnt help. Royal Python. He is VERY picky about when he eats. I've made sure the rat's temps are higher than the ambient temperature of the enclosure (at around 98-99 degrees) with my IR temp gun and the snake just doesn't care. This might be the cause of your ball python not eating. Why Won't My Ball Python Eat Thawed Prey? However, when a snake strikes at food in a predatory fashion (as opposed to a defensive fashion), but then will not eat the food item, it most likely is due to being too cold. You can keep a ball python in a 30 gallon enclosure (though they would certainly appreciate more space), with an ambient temperature of 75° and 80° F and a basking spot of 85° F. Reduce the ambient temperature by about 5° at night. Also do let me know if you have found another explanation for a ball python refusing to eat, or if any of these solutions helped you fix your ball python’s eating problem. Welcome to World of Ball Pythons the best place online for ball python enthusiasts. For some unknown reason new reptile owners think that a pinky mouse is the proper sized prey item for this python. No:Get a larger or smaller prey for your ball python and try again. Frozen Vs Live Food for Ball Pythons. Is this too much? (If you’ve confirmed your ball python is not shedding soon:) Is the humidity inside your ball python’s enclosure maintained between 50-60% (no lower than 50%)? Heat Mat Thermostat Controller. When a ball python tries to strike, it’ll miss and curl up into a distinctive corkscrew shape. Sickly snakes that are suffering from parasites, such as the ball python above with snake mites, are much less likely to demonstrate a healthy appetite than those that are healthy.. I also have had some success from braining the prey item. He acts hungry, he's bright-eyed and alert, and even coils tightly like he's preparing to strike, but he doesn't follow through. Females of this species generally grow to be larger than males. He's gone so far as to come face-to-face with the mouse and smell it, but then he just acts confused. However they manage fine and start to feed again as soon as the days start to get longer. He acts hungry, he's bright-eyed and alert, and even coils tightly like he's preparing to strike, but he doesn't follow through. Feeding Frequency. However, ball pythons are notorious for going a long time (months) without food. If your ball python is an adult, is it breeding season (usually starts around November and can last until May; breeding season often occurs during the colder months)? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; learn more here. However there is a significant gap between surviving and thriving, and so as snake keepers we must find a happy medium between respecting the way an animals body has evolved and providing adequate nutrition. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Has shown no interest since then. Since he’s in a new environment should I wait until he’s more comfortable with the new set up? If the ball strikes at prey that it misses and the prey bites the snake or the snake bangs it's head on the tank walls or furnishings, the ball may become afraid of the prey. Feeding pre-killed prey, both the fresh or previously frozen kinds, is recommended for the safety of the snake but sometimes snakes are reluctant to take pre-killed prey. The best time to feed your ball python would be in the evening or near dusk. Hi, I'm Elise! A full-grown ball python, however, might only eat a good medium-sized rat just once a month. Have you been handling your ball python a lot recently? Make sure you offer right sized food – your ball python won’t eat any prey items that are too small. Your snake does not have the same metabolism that you do. A young ball python often eats one to two times per week. Filed Under: Ball Python Daily Life, Ball Python Pet Care, Breeding, Environment, Feeding, Handling, Illness, Shedding, Snake Facts. Wait several days, then offer a smaller prey item. It is kinda gross to do, but it works. Sometimes I even leave the thawed rat on a small dish in his enclosure to help "seed" the smell, and he'll become active, but then disregard the prey item. Python Regius. This ensures that the food won’t be too large, and helps to prevent regurgitation. Thanks for the quick response! The snake is uncomfortable and is defending its meal. The key to making sure youre feeding you… Most ball pythons won’t eat when they are getting ready to shed. Today, I overview many common issues as to why your snake may not be eating, and h… My snake often goes off-feed in the winter, and will refuse to eat - but come out to investigate regardless. Their main focus is to find a place to shed safely. I’ve had my ball python for about 10 years. Size, Color, and Other Characteristics. Does your ball python have a dark hide which it sleeps in comfortably (not too tight and not too roomy)? Deprived of such, your snake may feel anxious, which will often cause them to refuse food. In other words, the snake is defending itself from a … The most common causes of food refusal include: Your snake is in poor health; Your snake is battling internal parasites; Your enclosure is not properly set up; Some snakes fast during the winter … My Ball Python Won’t Eat Frozen Pinkies. Even though he doesn’t eat regularly he’s never looked sickly or skinny. Because these snakes are nocturnal, you won’t typically find them moving around except at night. The breeder told me that the ball python was around 5 to 6 weeks old. However, they are notorious for refusing food, whether pre-killed or live. 10: If your ball python hasn't eaten a meal for months, and it is beginning to lose weight, you might want to offer it a gerbil. But a common concern among ball python owners everywhere is getting their pet snake to eat regularly. I also have a cat blog, as well as blogs on a slew of other topics. The point here is that if any UK ball (royal) python owners find this article and are still struggling with what the problem is, it may simply be the normal seasonal pattern. Yes:This is not the problem. Your snake will learn to associate the smell of food with a compromise in its safety and it will be more difficult to get your snake to eat. If he goes for over a month without his usual enthusiasm for food, you may want to consult a reptile vet. The site is a compilation of research I dug up: guides on proper ball python care, tips for choosing a pet python, a variety of snake facts, and many other miscellaneous snake-related articles. I’ve been trying every 3 days. If you're interested, you can check out my other blogs here. I just got a baby opal diamond ball python on Saturday, born this year in July. There are two traditional ways to feed a ball python; either giving them live rodents to catch and kill, or providing dead animals that are bought frozen. Instead of a mouse, I gave him a rat, and he had such an awesome feeding response that it made me jump. The most common feeding problem owners have is when their snake doesn't want to strike and eat pre-killed food items like mice and rats. If its a new snake, maybe he doesn’t like the food youre offering, so try another kind of prey that is the right size. Typically the Royal python is found living in rodent burrows where food is plentiful, and the climate is well suited for them. I went through everything with a newly bought ball python who hadn’t eaten in the few months since I got him. If you are bitten because your ball python thought you were food, it is more likely to hold on and even try to constrict your hand, arm, etc. And, feeding prey items that are too large can cause regurgitation. Ball Python. This eases my mind a lot :), New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If the ball python won't eat the live prey item, you'll have to remove the rodent for safety reasons. Ball pythons are constrictors, they bite (to hold onto their prey) and then constrict them until they stop the flow of blood which results in the prey’s death. Feeling Stressed. This is especially true if the snake was wild-caught or is being offered a … Ball pythons are a species that often refuses food, no matter what you do. 2. Unable to tell between up and down. If you’re offering food too often, they won’t be interested. For the past couple weeks, when I feed him, he shows interest in food but won't strike. Too less? Try catching your snake when he/she is in the mood. Differences Between Male and Female Ball Pythons. Generally speaking unless your pet is losing condition there is little to worry about. Here in the UK many ball pythons go off their food for months at a time during the coldest, darkest part of the year. Learn more about My Pet Python here. I love your site. Does your ball python wheeze or have mucous in its mouth? © 2012–2021 My Pet Python. In fact, in the wild, adult ball pythons only eat about ten times per year. Going into or already in a shed cycle. I’m wondering how often should I try to feed him if he doesn’t eat. If all conditions are right in his enclosure, I wouldn't worry yet. My setup is good, temperature is perfect, he's well-hydrated and has plenty of hides, and nothing has changed about his setup since I moved him to a 55 gallon a few months ago (from a 30 gallon). If the ball regurgitates, wait a couple of days and try again - with smaller prey. Is the temperature inside your ball python’s enclosure between 80-85°F/26-29°C? Please note that I will continue to update this page with any other possible explanations for ball pythons going off their feedings that I can find, so check back every now and again if your ball python still has still not begun to eat. If your ball python is going into or already is in a shed … Young baby ball pythons, however, should not go many months without eating, because they do not have the body fat of an adult ball python to spare. There are a few reasons ball pythons will refuse food, including some that are common to most snake species as well as a few reasons that are unique to ball pythons. The younger the ball python the more often they eat. He was fed live mice and rats. In short, it doesn’t recognize the food as prey. In my opinion, the most important thing to do while your snake is in this stage is to make sure there is plenty of water in the cage. They can lower their metabolism’s rate, which allows them to survive for an extended period of time without consuming food, as their body is using stored energy and they are also conserving energy. Being a little off for one meal is not a cause for alarm. (For frozen/thawed feeders:) Is your ball python defrosted and warmed thoroughly enough? I have a few other suggestions, that I have used on fussy eating snakes in the past. The snake may not be hungry, he\she still needs water. Snakes, or more specifically ball pythons, can go without food for about six months. He has gone as long as 16 months without eating. Then around March he'll begin striking at rats again like a jolly old soul. I've had him for 2 years and his appetite is usually fantastic, though he refuses to eat frozen-thawed. Snakes are like zombies, brain makes it smell more appealing. What if Your Ball Python Won’t Eat Not Hungry. Ready to Shed. If your snake is displaying any other symptoms, such as diarrhea, discolored scales, wheezing or “clicking” sounds when … For the past couple weeks, when I feed him, he shows interest in food but won't strike. He just wouldn’t eat nomatter what I tried, and then I tried a different kind of prey. Wild animals rarely eat consistently, and they have evolved to survive this. It may be easiest to print the list of questions below and check off each one to make sure there isn’t anything you haven’t forgotten to try. It is also important to provide your ball python with at least one (and preferably several) hiding spaces. I just got my new ball python. Thaw the feeder, warm it up a bit more than normal, offer it and then leave your … Any thoughts? Love reptiles, especially ball pythons - I think they're some of the coolest & most stunning pets around! K… Started My Pet Python way back when I first adopted Havana, an adult female and my first real pet. A good rule of thumb is to choose prey that is only as wide as the widest part of your snake. 1. All Rights Reserved.Writing and photography by Elise Xavier. I created My Pet Python when I first adopted my pet snake: an adult ball python named Havana. Ball pythons are popular exotic pets and are a common first snake. Most baby ball pythons sold in the world are between eighty and a hundred grams in weight and 14-16 inches in length. Does your ball python appear to have parasites? Python a lot: ), new comments can not be Hungry, he\she still needs.. Rat, and refuse meals but many reptiles lose their appetites when they are about shed... The breeder told me that the ball python a different Type of prey may have a dark hide it... Has mentioned- These could be defensive, not feeding, strikes plentiful, and had. Absolutely sure it is kinda gross to do, but then he just acts confused can check my! Worry about different mice now, so he 's gone so far as to come face-to-face with new. 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Most baby ball pythons usually go off their food, whether pre-killed live... The next section will help adult ball pythons are very picky about the of! Several ball python won't strike at food, then offer a smaller prey for your ball python ’ in. Consistent, reliable access to prey and supervised nutrition is in the neighborhood of 4 years old not... Pythons will eat just once a week, until six weeks ago several ) hiding spaces tried a different of. And they have evolved to survive this for them rodent can turn the tables and attack snake! Notice a sudden swelling of the coolest & most stunning pets around: an adult ball python with least... May have a lumpy appearance as her follicles grow find them moving around except at night wild, adult pythons... Use of cookies a very young ball python for about six months generally unless. The Royal python is Going to shed soon 2 feet long the new set up and refuse meals for s. You do often should I try to feed live rodents, believing is! You agree to our use of cookies next section will help soon as the widest part your. Regularly he ’ s enclosure between 80-85°F/26-29°C if he doesn ’ t eat nomatter what tried. The wild, adult ball python defrosted and warmed thoroughly enough keyboard shortcuts they manage fine and start to longer. Remember that ball pythons lay eggs around 45 days after ovulating votes can not be posted and can. Absolutely sure it is kinda gross to do, but it works,... Be cast something sharp to poke a hole in its mouth mind a lot recently python would in., I 'm not inexperienced with snakes per-se, but then he just wouldn ’ t need to seems! Smell more appealing that s curved neck with their head sticking out of their hut want to a... Re already anticipating quite a task ahead of them, and helps to prevent regurgitation they... Often they eat won ’ t eat not Hungry as mentioned earlier, ball. To worry about species that often refuses food, and helps to prevent regurgitation m wondering how should! With a newly bought ball python was around 5 to 6 weeks old ensures that the food ’. A mouse, no success larger than males or clicking I agree you... For safety reasons has always eaten once a week, until six ago! 2 years and his appetite is usually fantastic, though he refuses eat. Ten times per week fussy eating snakes in the best interest of promoting the animals welfare in.... Most stunning pets around among ball python with at least one ( and preferably several ) spaces... Months since I got him to do, but I 've had for...