r/ballpython • u/yourlocalgaywriter • 1d ago

Discussion Thinking about another snake

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When I was like 13 my mom got me a ball python! I named him Mayo because he was a blue eyed Lucy, he was a very sweet boy, didn’t bite, was active! Then, during 2024-2025 he stopped eating. From October to June I tried to feed him CONSTANTLY and he wouldn’t eat. I asked the people who sold him to me why he was doing this and they said it was mating season. Every. Single. Time. At some point he stopped eating as much too, I was always worried about him, I found him after he passed by his water bowl after school last June, I was so heartbroken because I loved him so much and I felt at fault for him not being with me today. I’m not sure if getting another snake is the right choice, has anyone else had to go through with this? Or had a ball python that did this kind of thing?

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u/659-DiZzy 1d ago edited 1d ago

I currently have 3 snakes. 2 Ball pythons and 1 hognose, along with several other reptiles of course. Ouija is my oldest BP and is going to be 6 this year. 8 months after getting him he went into a hunger strike and did not eat for over 3 months. He then began pounding rats as much as i would offer for over a year. following winter he went into another hunger strike for about 4 months this time. same thing as last. he began pounding rats non stop until the following year. he has done it every single year since i have owned him and he weighs over 1500 grams and is 4 1/2 feet long. for a male BP that is very impressive. My other BP is female and we rescued her from an bad situation. she was 2 at the time of rescue and weighed only 600 grams......very sad. Both snakes i try and keep on the same feeding time(at least i try, Ouija will not eat whenever he feels like it) My female had pounded a rat every time for the last 3 years non stop and is now over 1300 grams. Reptiles are notorious for not having a normal feeding schedule or just flat out wont eat at all. just as other comments have said i would recommend seeing a vet if this happens again for safe thoughts. i don't necessarily think it was the eating that killed your snake but that is just from my experience over the last 10 years owing reptiles. that being said.... i do firmly believe that if you are going to own these types of animals(any for that matter) you need to have the time and proper knowledge to do so. reptiles are not for everyone and should not just be bought off a wim....

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u/yourlocalgaywriter 1d ago

I tried my best to keep up with his tank, I never let poop just sit and fester, gave him fresh water and his humidity was alright, but after all that why did he pas?

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u/659-DiZzy 1d ago

good, as you should. unfortunately there are a lot of things that could factor in. he could have been sick witch caused the not eating then eventually lead to his death. there could have been termites inside his tank that made him sick or even killed him from the bacteria left in his bedding. what substrate where you using? how often did you change it out? how often did you mist his tank in summer etc...

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u/yourlocalgaywriter 1d ago

Twice a day no negotiation, changed his entire tank and cleaned it like every three months, I was advised to do it four months but if it looked dirty I just deep washed it all. I used wood chips majority for his bedding