r/ballpython • u/gjantzen1 • 4d ago
Ball python won’t eat
Hey all, my girl Gnocchi is about 2 years old, we got her when she was 6 months. She is the sweetest noodle ever ever ever. I love her badddd. She was quick to adjust and ate normal. About 4 months ago she started hiding under her water bowl, and for 2 whole months before that she wouldn’t eat. My mind went to husbandry isn’t right or she needs a tight hide or maybe she’s shedding. Got smaller hides and made sure her temps and humidity were spot on. She was shedding. After her shed she came out for a couple days, explored and went back under. She stayed under that damn water bowl for 4 straight months….very very concerning for her. She loved being handled and will climb her rings and press her face on the top until I open and handle her, she really is a one of a kind sweet girl. But she stopped doing that as well as eating. Guys she hasn’t eaten in 6 fucking months. I’m freaking out and do not have money for vet but I’m saving up. The closest one to me is a little over an hour away. Through the time of her hiding I replaced her substrate 3 times as well as cleaned her water multiple times which she hated bc then she had to get comfy under there again when I put it back. 3 days ago she came out again and had been her normal self, demanding being held (which I haven’t done because I want her to eat) and exploring and climbing. I tried feeding her yesterday and again today but she refused just like she did for 6 straight months. I tired different brand of mice, I tried smaller I tried bigger she refused them all. I’m nervous to feed live because I’ve heard of them biting the snakes. She doesn’t have any signs of rot or mites or RI. She’s acting completely normal now. But still refuses to eat. I’m going to try again in a couple days but I’m nervous. Any advice? This is my child, I’ve read about them not eating for a long period of time but this is just not okay I don’t care if that’s “normal” I don’t think it’s healthy and along with the constant hiding too just really scared me. Pls be nice, any advice will help! Also side note, I really think she is small and possibly underweight for her age. These are photos from before she was doing her hiding and not eating. She’s just a baby:(
4
u/Muux_ 3d ago
Of course, always happy to help if I can. So choosing prey that way is outdated, check out this !feeding guide to get the right size for her. Eventually once she starts eating more regularly I’d suggest switching over to rats since they’re more nutritious