fasting ball ?'s

Byron · #1 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 02:57 AM

At what point should I start to worry? Since mid-Jan, he's lost about 25g ...down to 231g (about 27" long). last fed 18 Jan. I'm guessing he's nearly a year old.

no handling other than once a week attempts at feeding (and refusing)
last 3 attempts have been in the cage
AP T10 (4x2x1)
hot side 89
ambient 74
humidity 45% (then misted)
no additional lighting
no pets, noises or kids disturbing him
2 hides
2 water bowls
branches, vines, skulls for climbing
1.5-2" aspen substrate

the temps/humidity are as of about 10 minutes ago. He stays in his hides, and hasn't started stalking for a meal yet.

The only change thats been made was that I changed out a hide. I swapped a wooden one for a hollowed out gourd that he seems to like better than the wooden one.

I moved in November. He ate every week before and after the move until 18 Jan.

For a fasting bp, what would be considered an "acceptable" weight loss before I need to worry?

AGActaeonia · #2 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 03:01 AM

Without getting as in to it as I usually do - and I think you should trust my opinion regardless and that you know that - you shouldn't worry yet.

Your specs are up to par, offer an item once every 5 to 7 days, carry on as usual.

Neither of mine have eaten in months. Ishara broke her fast for a small live rat then ripped her first ever f/t medium out of my hand. That was a couple months ago.

Souran has lost what seems to be a little weight (I've no scale), but he's not interested in food and he looks even more fit and muscular now than ever. Both are healthy, doing what they do.

I think we need to start a thread covering how we as Ball owners can cope with the stress of their annual fasts, lol.

Byron · #3 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 03:07 AM

Thank you, Sir. I knew you would be one of the ones offering comfort. This is my first annual fast.

Coping with bp fasting? I will start weekly threads asking if everything is ok and if I should worry yet.

Rachel SS · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 03:16 AM

I wouldn't worry. Mine have been off feed for 6-8 months and have lost minimal weight.

I offer food every OTHER week, since they will be coming out of brumation shortly

Amazon · #5 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 03:22 AM

Yeah, I wouldn't worry either. My bp Nagini has been on a feeding strike since Mid-November. She's only a year and a half old, and doing fine (despite the fact that I'm going to kill her if she doesn't eat soon... lol). And my other ball Pandora has been going on and off feed for the whole winter, and part of fall. Even then, she'll only eat a small rat.

BPs are the masters of making their owners worry...

dapozer · #6 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 03:24 AM

Still early to worry but you could try what i do to get them back to eating. first I turn off the lights in his tank and take the BP out and place him in a shoe box. place fresh killed mouse/rat into shoebox on top of snake, place sheo box into dark tank and leave alone for the eve or sooner if he eats, take top off shoebox and let him leave on his terms (no risk) remove shoebox in morning. Has worked on several of mine when they fast.
Shanw

Sakara · #7 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 04:06 AM

My spider went 8 months without food, lol... he'll be alright... Balls are dumb sometimes...

Byron · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 03:22 AM

ok, the fasting is over (for now). He took a mouse after shedding today. I'm hoping that he's back to his normal eating routine now.

Oroborous · #9 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 03:38 AM

Yeah it's hard to cope with. I know i am really frustrated. My 07 male hasn't eaten since November! I just got my 06 female to eat a small rat last night, but she's still not feeding regularly. My 08 male pastel is eating like there's no tomarro, and so is my 09 spider. It's all part of keeping ball pythons unfortunantly. They can be unpredictable.

kenyabloodstone · #10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 04:43 AM

Lol wow I don't know how I will deal with it if my BP decides to not eat for months. I was frustrated and worried when he skipped his first ever meal last week lol. I know he's fine and there is nothing to worry about but I think I'd be going nuts if it went on for months...

Sakara · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 05:07 AM

my spider turd decided not to take his rat for the last 2 weeks -_- he better not be doing that fasting crap again LOL

mongoose5971 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 12:36 PM

Mine went over a year last time so I guess she made up for it this year by not stopping at all lol At 12 years or so this is probably her first time eating straight through the winter.

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