My ball python hasn't eaten in two months, should I be worried?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Reptile | Other Snake | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 8 months old | 3 lbs
ball python hasn’t eaten in 2 months
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 26th, 2019
Pythons can go months without eating. Can you post again with more information? Is he acting sick? Have you changed anything in the cage (lighting, heat, humidity, etc)? Defecating normally? What have you tried feeding? Do you feed live or pre-killed? We need more information in order to help you better.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on November 13th, 2018
thanks for reaching out about Golden and including a picture. Anorexia is common in ball pythons. It is not unusual for them to enter a dormancy stage in winter, but check the environmental temperature to maintain it warm. Intestinal parasites or other illnesses can also lead to anorexia. If you continue to worry, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Training & Behavior
He won't eat at all going on 4weekez
thanks for reaching out about Golden and including a picture. Anorexia is common in ball pythons. It is not unusual for them to enter a dormancy stage in winter, but check the environmental temperature to maintain it warm. Intestinal parasites or other illnesses can also lead to anorexia. If you continue to worry, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
I have two ball pythons, both females, both right around one year old. Neither of them has eaten in over 6 months, and I'm getting worried. I've tried live, f/t, and different varieties of prey. I've tried changing their tanks and substrate and hides
Ball pythons are notorious for their "hunger strikes". All parameters seem to be within species ranges. Survey the area around the cage for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises or vibrations, bright lights, cold drafts or high traffic. Reduce or eliminate any if found.
Go to the local Petco and ask for a small amount of used (but not dirty) gerbil bedding. Use it to scent prey for your snakes. Gerbils are what pythons eat in the wild, so the scent may trigger their appetites. Soak them both in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to treat or prevent minor dehydration.
An exam with your veterinarian would be recommended to diagnose any underlying illness or injury.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My ball Python doesn’t want to eat and it’s been 3 weeks we try to give him fuzzy mice weekly but he will not eat. He finished shedding last week. What should I do?
Snakes can go months without eating and still be OK. Now, I'm not saying to let it go that long but I am saying that you may want to not even attempt feeding him for 2-3 weeks and then try to start up again. If he will still not eat at that point then you should get him to a vet for an exam. I would not be overly concerned about him not eating at this stage. Things you may want to check: * cage temperature - if it is too cold they often will stop eating * intestinal parasites - ask your vet to run a fecal test next time he produces some stool * too much handling/changing the environment, etc - if you are stressing him too much he may not want to eat I suggest you refer to this article for more information. ( https://www.thesprucepets.com/feeding-ball-pythons-1239265 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My ball python is 6 yrs old. He is about to start his shedding process. He has not eaten in about a month. Is this normal?
A month is a pretty long time for a snake to go without eating, although not unheard of . I would make sure that the temperature and the humidity in the cage is appropriate, and I would consider soaking him in warm water once or twice a day for about 10 minutes. Hopefully this will help him have a fast and uncomplicated shed. If he does not eat after the shed, then I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian. Monitor for signs of respiratory problems such as open mouth breathing, loud breathing, discharge from the mouth or nostrils, or red/inflammed oral tissue. If you should notice any of these clinical signs then he should be seen immediately. Best of luck and Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My question is too long so I wrote it in notes and attached photos. My ball python hasn’t eaten since the beginning of August.
Thanks for reaching out about Charlie and including the history. Your husbandry appears appropriate. This could be an extended period of brumation but the only way to rule out problems is through a veterinary visit and some blood work. If you palpate along the body, any masses or lumps? Have you tried different prey items, i.e. rat pups? Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
I adopted my ball python (~3 yrs old) on 11/01/19, and she ate a frozen-thawed mouse on 11/04/19. But, despite offering her another mouse every 1-2weeks, she has refused to eat again. She is currently shedding, though I think she is almost done. I am
I suggest you just not feed her for a few weeks and then try again. Her lack of appetite may be due to shedding. Reptiles can not eat for months and still be fine. It is not ideal for them to go quite that long though. So, wait a few weeks, try again with frozen-thawed and see what happens. You are welcome to post again if she doesn't eat and we can see if we can help you better. Be sure he cage temperature is correct. If they are too cold they often won't eat. Basking spot temperature should be 88 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit and an ambient temperature of 78 to 80 degrees. The ambient temperature should not fall below 75 degrees.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello. I am already an owner of a snake but I have recently rescued a ball python. Approximately under a year old and his previous owner kept him in a small container with no heat mat or climate control. I have had him for three weeks and he will not
Snakes have a very slow metabolism. So, it takes them a long time to get sick and conversely a long time to get better. Overall from the photo he doesn’t look too bad, just thin. Just get all your husbandry 100% correct and he should come around. ( https://mobile.petcoach.co/amp/article/ball-python-python-regius-basic-husbandry-and-feeding-housi ) If you keep trying to feed him and he doesn’t want it that can cause food aversion. So, it’s best to offer him nothing for a few weeks. Snakes can go very long time without eating so I wouldn’t really be worried about that. When you do start feeding him start with a lot smaller pray than you would normally use (like pinkies). Are you using live or pre-killed food? If you’re trying pre-killed he may not be used to that . He also may be in brumation so keep that in mind. Hope this helps. If you have more questions you are welcome to post again or you can opt for a private consultation if you want to chat back and forth. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My new juvenile ball python has refused food for almost a month. She is loosing weight and I can see her spine. I have tried live and F/T. She has no noticeable external parasites. Hot spot temp is 88 F, humidity is 65-70%, ambient temp is 75 F. Shou
Ball pythons are notorious for their "hunger strikes". Drop the humidity to about 50%, you only need higher humidity during a shed. Bump up the ambient temp to between 80 F and 85 F. It doesn't seem like a lot, but a cold snake will not eat.
Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes. This will provide warmth and hydration.
Place her in a pillow case, or cover her cage, at the next feeding. Go to the local Petco and ask for some used gerbil bedding. Use it to scent the mouse. Make sure the mouse is at proper temp and not too big for Morgana. If she doesn't eat, wait 5 days and try again. Unless you have experience with assisted feedings, it would not be recommended to try it on your own. Have your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet examine her to diagnose and treat any illness or injury. He or she can also guide you in feeding.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My baby ball python won't eat by herself we have to get her force fed what can we do to help her eat my herself?
Ball pythons are notorious for their hunger strikes. Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. If you feed frozen/thawed, be sure it is at room temp (at least) before offering it. A python will not eat cold prey. Make sure it isn't too big also. You can scent it with some used gerbil bedding. Survey the area in and around the cage for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises, strong vibrations, bright lights or strong drafts. Reduce or eliminate any if found. If she won't eat, have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat any infection or injury.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My ball python won't eat. When I got him from the store 5 weeks ago, they said they get him every Monday. I tried to stuck to that schedule but he didn't eat the first Monday but ate the second Monday and now it's been three weeks and he still won't
Check enclosure temperatures. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. A cold snake will not eat. Once that is done, survey the area around the cage for any negative stimuli. This could be bright lights, loud noises or vibrations or lots of traffic. Eliminate or reduce any negative stimuli if possible. Offer prey at dusk or early evening. Cover the cage afterwards for added privacy and security. If you feed frozen prey, be sure it is thoroughly thawed and warmed before offering. If he still won't eat, carefully check in and around his mouth for signs of injury or infection. This includes swelling, redness, bleeding or discharge. See your veterinarian if any of these signs are observed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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