Not eating

[barberspython]

okay, here we go again. Medusa has been eating regularly about every 3 weeks. She has graduated to a medium rat. Now, she is on a hunger strike. So I got a rat on hold, waiting for Medusa to decide to eat or not. I offer it every day for about an hour, then remove the rat. My only hope is that the rat doesn't get too big before Medusa decides she is hungry. She did this last year right about the same time of year. She didn't eat for 4 months. Is this common, to have a certain time of year to not eat? I know ball pythons are notorious about their eating habits.

[DennyS]

Yeah, it can be. If Medusa is breeding age and of good weight she is waiting for a boy. They do stop eating during the breeding season though it is a bit late here at the end of May! Also look at her closed mouth.... does everything look right? Check for teeth bent out, discoloration or a mucus soft spot (checking for mouth rot)! Let me know. Is it possible she wants a smaller rat again? After rereading your post I really do think this is a mating time response!

[lovesnuffles]

Sounds like Medusa is asking for a man If ya catch my drift. A ball python eating a medium rat is definitely of breeding age and weight, and yeah, it is a bit late in the season for breedings ... So that part is kinda weird, but maybe Medusa follows her own schedule It's not uncommon for people to have late August clutches, which is what Medusa would probably end up with were she bred right now.

In other words, Medusa's hunger strikes are code for "GET ME A BOYFRIEND!"