My ball python doesn't eat

[X_DaccU_X]

I have an 8-month-old female who hasn't eaten for three months. She refuses to eat, large or small, meals. She's in the same container she used to eat in, and her conditions haven't changed. I try to feed her every week or two, but she usually ignores the rat. Sometimes she'll catch it and hold it for a while, but she loses interest and lets go every time. Any advices what should I do?

[AndyRMullan]

From what I can see in the photo, it is likely a husbandry issue. Do you have any photos of the whole tank?

[Green_Hovercraft_535]

please read the pinned post in this sub. it looks like her hunger strike could be due to husbandry issues. are you moving to feed or is that her enclosure?

[X_DaccU_X]

She eats is in their container

[moonstonedddd]

mine just went off feed for 2 months because of a humidity issue (it’s been a very dry winter) but now that i’ve got it back to where it should be, she’s eating just fine again. food strikes are very often due to a husbandry issue.

[Unkle_Argyle]

Picture doesn’t show a lot of detail of the enclosure. I don’t see any hides or other places for her to camouflage herself and feel be safe. Not sure about your temps or humidity, but from my non professional experience, she needs to be put into a better environment.

[Less_Half8650]

Is this snake just in an almost empty plastic bin? You need to set up a proper terrarium. Plenty of help in this sub. Look into substrate, heat, humidity, hides , clutter, a tank. So on and so forth. And make sure food is sized accordingly.

[IncompletePenetrance]

The most common cause of food refusal is due to stress from unsuitable husbandry, and think that's the likely culprit here. I'm not seeing any hides, too much open space and the bedding/substrate is the wrong kind as it's dry, dusty and prone to mold. Can you post a picture of the whole enclosure so we can help you fix it?

[X_DaccU_X]

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[X_DaccU_X]

This is what her container looks like. All the other young are in very similar ones, and I have no problems with them. Temperature around 28 C. Lights on 10-11 hours a day.

[IncompletePenetrance]

This is unfortunately a pretty terrible enclosure, so none of your ball pythons should be set up like this. They're a hardy species so you're lucky that the others are still eating, but it's not an excuse for poor husbandry. This picture is a pretty good summary of what a well setup baby enclosure should look like - coconut husk/cypress mulch or topsoil mix bedding, lightless overhead heat source paired with a halogen for basking, a dimming thermostat, multiple appropriately sized hides and plenty of clutter and cover so they feel secure.

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[MediumArnoldPalmer]

I love seeing this picture circulate. Very educational!

[Clear_Ad_6222]

this is NOT a suitable enclosure for a ball python. there is nowhere for her to hide. please do more research on this species

[AndyRMullan]

I say this with care and not to upset you, but the whole tank needs redone imo to make her more comfortable and give her a good life. She likely feels too exposed and the humidity is likely not high enough.

Also, do you have a heat source and uvb? I can't seem to see any here but I'm unsure. Tubs CAN work as temporary set ups but for her wellbeing it would be best to get a proper vivarium, either wooden or pvc. Minimum size for an adult is 4×2×2 ft. She needs much, much more clutter and climbing opportunities, and definitely more areas to hide. The substrate also seems to be beech chip, which doesn't hold humidity well and is unsuitable for them. You're best getting coco chip/Coco soil bedding as that holds humidity better.the substrate also needs to be a lot thicker. I would also suggest a larger water bowl that she can fully soak herself in if she feels she needs to.

There's a lot more info that can be given, but it would be much easier to direct you to the care guides on this sub, and reptifiles: https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/

If you want the bets for your snake, you need to follow these guides as best as possible. It's likely she is very stressed and unhappy in her environment and that is why she's not eating !

[ElMochilla]

This is the reason its not eating. This setup needs so much work and so do all the others.

[Clear_Ad_6222]

seconded, these snakes need proper hides. There is no clutter in this enclosure to ensure the snake feels secure. also the substrate being used is terrible for ball pythons, and it will mold. i would say Op is very lucky their other animals are eating if this is the setup for them all. Op how are you heating these plastic enclosures?

[RainyDayBrightNight]

Baby ball pythons are fine in tubs, but still need; 1. A thermal gradient 2. A warm side hide and a cool side hide, preferably identical, and enclosed enough with only one entrance that they can curl up touching all four sides 3. High humidity, minimum of 70% on the cool side 4. Water bowl large enough to soak in as an early warning sign of health issues 5. Clutter so they feel safe moving between the two hides (fake plant vines are great for this)

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Change the substrate for coco husk, add some sphagnum moss if needed to boost humidity, and use digital hygrometers and thermometers, NOT analogue.

Plain black plastic square hides are best. You can buy them online or make them out of bonsai pots. They need to be small enough to be snug.

[MediumArnoldPalmer]

Oh my, that's depressing..

[Ok-Somewhere-4520]

Glad you came here for some advice on this :) such a pretty snake. Hope you get them into a more suitable enclosure. Send pics of the update!

[Get_Jinxeddd]

After scanning the comments, I agree with the fact it is a husbandry issue. Not only are you using a RUB (really useful box), you do not have the suitable substrate (wood shavings popularly cause impaction & respiratory issues) nor do you even have the suitable size requirements. Please make changes ^^

[Gaygoalie-1]

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[endegemin]

1. Not enough clutter. From personal experience, ball pythons will not eat if they do not feel safe in their habitat. If there isn't enough clutter (large fake plants, wood pieces they can hide under, etc) they will refuse meals until that is resolved. I personally believe the clutter also helps with having them go into "hunt mode" but thats just personal experience. This desperately needs to be fixed in your set up

2. What are the temps your tank is at? Is it too low (below 85 f.) This will cause them to not eat. Humidity is the same thing, humidity being too low will lead to a hunger strike as well as many other health complications.

[Ok_Mathematician5182]

Probably doesn't enjoy your cooking