Hi there! I made a post here some time ago about my young ball python Nico. I had originally had him in a 55 gallon glass enclosure and was advised to move him into something smaller since he’s under a year old, which I did. (He was born in may 2025) Now he lives in a sterilite storage tub. After moving to the tub he ate great twice! But has again stopped eating and hasn’t had a meal since December 7th. He’s active and healthy otherwise, and seems interested in the mouse when I try to feed him but he doesn’t strike it. I use the hair dryer method to heat the mouse after thawing it. The breeder says just to try feeding him live but I don’t want to make it even more difficult to get him to eat frozen thawed. Any advice is appreciated!
(the tub is 36x18x12, 60-70% humidity, reptibark substrate, cool side between 75-80, warm side around 85, hot spot 90. dhp on a dimming thermostat for heat) im actually so at a loss for what else to try!
Ball pythons often refuse feeding simply because they don’t want to eat, it’s completely normal and most go on food strikes at least once in their life. I’ve had a ball python who went 4 months without eating every year, others who went on random food strikes, and have heard of some going on strikes for even longer, up to a year, and not due to poor husbandry. Males are more prone to this as well. It is perfectly safe, and as long as they aren’t losing lots of weight fast, there’s nothing to worry about. Considering it started in December, it may be a seasonal thing (assuming you live in the Northern Hemisphere). Additionally, contrary to popular belief, no tank is “too big” for a snake. A 55 gallon is perfectly fine for a young ball python, as long as you provide sufficient cover so they feel safe, and the cool side doesn’t get too cold. I’ve kept a BP in a 7x3x4 foot tank since it was 3 months old, and she was perfectly happy and healthy her whole life
My opinion may be the odd one out here, but it’s very common for snakes to go off food in the winter months even if temps are where they should be. Do you have a picture of him so we can see his body condition? Unless he’s getting visibly skinny or losing significant amounts of weight, I wouldn’t worry and would just keep offering once a week/every couple of weeks. I’ve got about 20 ball pythons and roughly 6 of them are currently off food or reluctant to eat, and none of my temperatures change in the wintertime.
Like @inspirationexotics mentioned due to shorter daylight hours, atmospheric pressure, and other environmental changes even if you have their temps set normally all year round there will still be a few snakes that adhere to the seasons.
I personally have 3 younger BPs that are off food right now, they are healthy and as their normal selves they just don’t have as much interest in food. I do however adjust their temps for winter months… specifically for my breeders.
Agree with @inspirationexotics & @cmsreptiles. Snakes in general can go a year or more without eating a meal. Ball pythons, males in particular, are notorious for going off food, esp in the winter months. As long as your boy doesn’t start to lose weight, just keep a visual on him or buy a scale to monitor his weight.
Here’s the thing to keep in mind. If he ate well for you those 2 times in his tub, and nothing has changed with the husbandry, then you can be pretty sure that he is just not hungry, Do not make any changes in the husbandry or start trying different things. Just keep offering once every week or so. He ate before for you and he will most definitely eat again.
Remember that in the wild, snakes, as other animals, are opportunistic feeders. It can be feast or famine for them. This includes ball pythons. As a keeper of 20 bps, I know it can be very frustrating to deal with a non-eater. Trust me though, as long as everything is correct with him and the husbandry, just try to be patient and wait him out. But I would start offering him a meal every 2 weeks so you won’t waste any more rodents than you have to.
Try not to worry! You will soon have hunger on your side! It will be just fine!
he’s definitely handsome! hes very silly and explorative too so its relieving hearing it could just be seasonal. He’s my first BP so im worrying about every little thing lol
He looks to be in good body condition to me. I would try not to worry. If when the weather warms up in March/April he still doesn’t eat for you, come back and ask again, but until then just offer every couple of weeks and if he wants to eat, he will.
thank you so much for your kind responses! i was so worried i was doing something wrong but I knew they can be picky so i was trying not to worry. But i’ve also seen the narrative that if they wont eat you’re doing something wrong so i wasnt sure
In a lot of circumstances, that is the case. Ball pythons can be picky feeders with temperature and humidity and a lot of people get those wrong and wonder why their snake won’t eat. But given that your husbandry sounds good, your snake has eaten for you a couple of times before and stopped during the winter time - all of that indicates it’s likely a time of the year thing. Like I said, if March/April comes around and he still won’t eat, then we can try to help you troubleshoot more but it’s not at all uncommon for males especially to go off food in the wintertime.
You will soon have hunger on your side! It will be just fine!
If when the weather warms up in March/April he still doesn’t eat for you, come back and ask again, but until then just offer every couple of weeks and if he wants to eat, he will.
