butthurtherpetologist:

gatorsmooch:

butthurtherpetologist:

richelle-la-la:

This is starting to get frustrating as hell….

If she isn’t feeding just be sure to keep track of her weight ((using a gram scale works best)). So long as she isn’t losing weight there is nothing wrong with a ball python fasting. In fact its quite natural, sometimes going on for months. If she is losing weight however it may be a sign of an underlying illness or other issue and will require a vet trip to confirm any issue.

However, there are tricks you can use to try to get your snake to feed, such as:

• make sure the enclosure temps are correct. If the snake doesn’t feel like it can properly digest a meal it will not eat.
• make sure the feeder is the appropriate temperature. ((I thaw my feeders in warm/hot water and make sure that the water is warm to my touch before offering to any snake))
• Dip the nose of the feeder is hot water. The higher temperature may induce a feeding response.
• Scenting with a water based chicken broth/ braining the prey item.
• Leave the feeder and snake in a dark, enclosed space for 30 min-1 hr. If the snake is not comfortable and feels insecure it will not eat.
• Vary the size of prey items offered. ((offering a small prey item will sometimes get a different response than a larger one.))
• Try offering live under strict supervision. ((I recommend this only as a final option, as live feeding is dangerous))

I’ve wondered this but only seen vague answers: how much weight loss is enough to be worried for the BP’s health? My girl stopped eating in September, she looks like she’s still a healthy weight but she’s lost maybe 100g (from ~1300g at her heaviest to 1160g most recently) over the last several months. She’s taken two meals during this fast, but usually she isn’t interested. I’m not sure if the weight difference is just because she’s totally empty now, haha.

I’m not too worried because I know they fast over the winter… But I think I might try braining (as unpleasant as it sounds).

Generally speaking the amount of weight loss differs with the weight/species of the animal in question. But a difference of 140ish grams sounds about right at her size being between 10-15% of her body weight. 

If we are looking at BPs then its roughly something like 15-20% of their maximum weight as adults is reasonable cause to schedule a vet trip. As juveniles however I’d personally be wary of any drop that is 10-15% of their body weight or even less than that in juveniles since they are so small and don’t have the weight or fat stores that an adult has.

But the weight loss issue is also measured with how fast the animal loses that weight. I weight my snakes every 10 days, giving me roughly a 10 day period that I can catch any issues pertaining to weight. ((Which is why keeping track of weight is a good idea)) but you can weight more often or less if you want to.