Is it just mine ?¿?¿

[steelheadchris]

Every year the same thing with my bp, He stops eating totaly for three to four months . Starts about early nov. to around late march early april. temp is the same in his cage , no changes , is it the breeding season or something? he gets me worried cuz he looses alot of weight at this period.oh i live in ohio, if the winter thing means anything.it just bumbs me out to see him look like this, he could get sick ,or is he ? spring and summer and fall he gets fed about every week and looks great. just wont EAT NOW.really looking skinny compared to how he normally looks

[The Snake Guru]

LOL....nope not just yours!
I got one right now that for the last 3 years has done that....on the nose every year from Jan. into March.....then its fine again until next Jan.

~B~

[danthony428]

thats crazy, that'd worry me too

[SnakeGirl]

Yep, my male does the same thing: he stops eating in September (sometimes as late as October, but usualy not) and doesn't eat again until the end of March or first of April. During the winter months when he's skinny, I refer to him as "my little worm." ;) But he always goes right back to eating again in the spring. He's never had any ill effects from it. The first year I had him and he stopped eating, I got worried and took him tot he vet. The vet examined him, recommended I get his humidity up more (I hadn't known the proper humidity at that time), but said he was otherwise fine.

One thing I have learned from reading "The New Encyclopedia of Snakes" by Chris Mattison is that when a snake begins to stop feeding, it is best to go ahead and lower their temps a little. Provided they have properly digested their last meal (and should be kept at proper temps until this is complete), lower tank temps help to slow their metabolism more, and they don't lose so much weight.

But I think Brad also suggested once that a good way to kick them out of that gear (if you don't plan to breed them) is to lower their temps for 1-2 weeks, then kick it back up? :confused: Brad, please correct me if I'm wrong on that one.

[mcem]

Great suggestion on lowering the temps....you beat me to it!!

[Jess]

I don't have ball Pythons ( Brad, notice how I worded that)
I guess I am use to a male retic going off food for 10 months because he wants to breed..LOL

So, can these snake go that long too??
Jess

[JenHarmon]

My male ball does this too. So much fun. Lol! He goes off feed late September or early October and then come mid March (sometimes end of March) he goes back to eating. Nothing changes his mind either. Lol!

[The Snake Guru]

But I think Brad also suggested once that a good way to kick them out of that gear (if you don't plan to breed them) is to lower their temps for 1-2 weeks, then kick it back up? Brad, please correct me if I'm wrong on that one.

Spot-on with that one....actually Juggalo was the one who told me that, otherwise I just let him do his thing, BPs are a pretty inactive snake I've had adults go for 6 to 9 months without a meal without ill effects....as long as they are still looking good you've got nothing to worry about, but if you get a little nervous...the temp. trick really works well.

~B~

[steelheadchris]

Im gonna try that now.this dude will investigate rats nose to nose and never strike.i am always there so dont say it.hope this works .will keep ya posted if it does.

[hex a holik]

Im gonna try that now.this dude will investigate rats nose to nose and never strike.i am always there so dont say it.hope this works .will keep ya posted if it does.

i think its common in a lot of different snakes to stop eating in the colder months. i have a boa that hasnt eaten since june, and we brought him to the vet to find out what's going on and the vet said that he was just fine.

some snakeys are wierd like that. like they all said, as long as he acts normal and looks decent, dont worry too much.