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Jluke85
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 67
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 Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:21 am Post subject: Female normal not feeding...Need help |
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Hi everyone. I have a normal female that is a year and 3 months old. I've had her for 1 year. She lives in a 5 slot rack system with 2 younger balls that are 5 months old. The tubs are sterilite 32 qt. that measure 16.5" W x 23.5" D x 6" H. The substrate that I use is newspaper. There is 1 hide spot that I just recently put in her tub, maybe about 2 weeks ago. But before that she didn't have a hide spot for about 2 months. Temps are measured with digital thermometers. Cool side temps are around 80 degrees to 85 degrees and hot side is around 90 degrees to 93 degrees and at night each side goes down around 5 to 8 degrees. Humidity stays between 60% and 70%. She hasn't shed in a while, I would say around 2 months but the last time she did all the skin came off. She use to eat 2 large mice every week with no problem. On 12/29/07 I offered her a medium rat for the first time. She ate it with no problem as well as the next 2 medium rats after that. It's now the middle of Janurary and for some reason when I offered her a medium rat she didn't eat it. This would have been her fourth med rat. Every week for a total of four weeks I offered her a med rat and she still has not tried to go for it. So its been a month since she hasn't ate. I don't know whats wrong. If anyone has advice or helpful information I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks guys.
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magana559
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 1129
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| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:25 am Post subject: |
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hey you know i have the same problem! I was told it might be because of breeding season.
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Jluke85
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 67
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| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:29 am Post subject: |
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| magana559 wrote: | | hey you know i have the same problem! I was told it might be because of breeding season. |
That's what I was thinking but wasn't quite sure. I hope it is because anything else would really have me scared...lol...
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magana559
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 1129
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| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:34 am Post subject: |
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yep i was getting worried too! i was told to try feeding every other week and not to handle it. hope that hepls!
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viciousbleu
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Posts: 18
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:40 am Post subject: |
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Sounds like you've got her set up in near perfect conditions, I agree that it is most likely from winter/breeding instincts.
Five weeks is nothing for them. Some stubborn snakes will hold out for a year- I can't help but think they do it just to spite owners... 
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uncle_flo
Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Location: America, Baby!
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| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:52 pm Post subject: |
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Under normal circumstances Uncle Flo’ would introduce himself on a forum before postin’ a response to a question like this, but seein’ as how his time is in short supply these days on account of his deterioratin’ health, ol’ Flo’s just gonna go ahead an' jump in to handle things.
You might want to rule out constipation as a possible cause before concludin' it's hormones or breedin' season or whatnot. Has your snake pooped lately? Can you feel a hard lump above the garbage chute? Check an' make sure. You can massage that thing down to size under lukewarm water an' help your critter out, if that's the problem. Just be gentle.
Dang! What’s that ol’ hag wife o’ his want now? Most guys get a “honey-do” list, but Aunt Flo’ doesn’t bother with the honey, if you follow. Your poor ol’ uncle’s got a “do-it-now-before-I-hit-you-with-this-fryin’-pan” list, an’ by the sound of it she’s rummagin' through the cupboard lookin' for the pan, gearin’ up to go on one o’ her rampages again. It's only a matter o' time now before she finds out where he hid it. Flo' hopes you don’t mind if he steps away to find a good hidin’ spot for himself.
Y'all take care now.
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Jluke85
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 67
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:34 am Post subject: |
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| uncle_flo wrote: | Under normal circumstances Uncle Flo’ would introduce himself on a forum before postin’ a response to a question like this, but seein’ as how his time is in short supply these days on account of his deterioratin’ health, ol’ Flo’s just gonna go ahead an' jump in to handle things.
You might want to rule out constipation as a possible cause before concludin' it's hormones or breedin' season or whatnot. Has your snake pooped lately? Can you feel a hard lump above the garbage chute? Check an' make sure. You can massage that thing down to size under lukewarm water an' help your critter out, if that's the problem. Just be gentle.
Dang! What’s that ol’ hag wife o’ his want now? Most guys get a “honey-do” list, but Aunt Flo’ doesn’t bother with the honey, if you follow. Your poor ol’ uncle’s got a “do-it-now-before-I-hit-you-with-this-fryin’-pan” list, an’ by the sound of it she’s rummagin' through the cupboard lookin' for the pan, gearin’ up to go on one o’ her rampages again. It's only a matter o' time now before she finds out where he hid it. Flo' hopes you don’t mind if he steps away to find a good hidin’ spot for himself.
Y'all take care now. |
Yes she has gone to the bathroom right after her last meal which was just a little over a month ago. So I don't think she's constipated. Any other opinions??? Thanks guys. I appreciate it.
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6855
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:48 am Post subject: |
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Pics of the setup that also show the temps would be helpful. 
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Jluke85
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 67
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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| deborahbroadus wrote: | | Pics of the setup that also show the temps would be helpful. |
Here are a few pics of the setup and the tub that she lives in.
(Let me add that when I checked on her today, she was all gray because she is getting ready to shed.)
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6855
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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Ahh, there's your answer! Apparently, she's one of those fickle ladies that doesn't like to be bothered while she's having her beauty sleep until she's completely dressed. 
I would wait about two days after I find the shed and attempt to feed again.
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Jluke85
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 67
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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| deborahbroadus wrote: | Ahh, there's your answer! Apparently, she's one of those fickle ladies that doesn't like to be bothered while she's having her beauty sleep until she's completely dressed.
I would wait about two days after I find the shed and attempt to feed again. |
But she just recently entered her shed cycle about a couple of days ago. She hasn't eatin in about a month. I'm just a little confused on the reason for her not eating for the past month and how does it relate to her entering her shed cycle when that just began a couple days ago. Thanks for your patience and help.
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6855
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:29 am Post subject: |
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| Jluke85 wrote: | | deborahbroadus wrote: | Ahh, there's your answer! Apparently, she's one of those fickle ladies that doesn't like to be bothered while she's having her beauty sleep until she's completely dressed.
I would wait about two days after I find the shed and attempt to feed again. |
But she just recently entered her shed cycle about a couple of days ago. She hasn't eatin in about a month. I'm just a little confused on the reason for her not eating for the past month and how does it relate to her entering her shed cycle when that just began a couple days ago. Thanks for your patience and help. |
I had assumed that it's possible that she's been preparing to shed and you are only now noticing the signs. If this assumption is incorrect, go with the assumption that it's the breeding season at fault. They are all assumptions.
However, in my opinion, it would be incorrect to say that she hasn't eaten for a month this gives the impression of missing many meals. If you have her on a weekly schedule..it would be more accurate to say that she has skipped 4 meals. 4 meals isn't a great amount of food. Again this is an assumption based on a weekly schedule..if you have been feeding everyday then the not eating for the pass month would be correct.
Until you take her to the Vet, all we have to go by are guesses and assumptions (educated). Either or all of these could be correct or incorrect, but as she doesn't appear to be ill, it can be one or the other. 
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Jluke85
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 67
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| Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:36 am Post subject: |
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| deborahbroadus wrote: | | Jluke85 wrote: | | deborahbroadus wrote: | Ahh, there's your answer! Apparently, she's one of those fickle ladies that doesn't like to be bothered while she's having her beauty sleep until she's completely dressed.
I would wait about two days after I find the shed and attempt to feed again. |
But she just recently entered her shed cycle about a couple of days ago. She hasn't eatin in about a month. I'm just a little confused on the reason for her not eating for the past month and how does it relate to her entering her shed cycle when that just began a couple days ago. Thanks for your patience and help. |
I had assumed that it's possible that she's been preparing to shed and you are only now noticing the signs. If this assumption is incorrect, go with the assumption that it's the breeding season at fault. They are all assumptions.
However, in my opinion, it would be incorrect to say that she hasn't eaten for a month this gives the impression of missing many meals. If you have her on a weekly schedule..it would be more accurate to say that she has skipped 4 meals. 4 meals isn't a great amount of food. Again this is an assumption based on a weekly schedule..if you have been feeding everyday then the not eating for the pass month would be correct.
Until you take her to the Vet, all we have to go by are guesses and assumptions (educated). Either or all of these could be correct or incorrect, but as she doesn't appear to be ill, it can be one or the other. |
That makes sense and clears things up a bit. And yes 4 meals is the more appropiate way of putting it, I agree on that, thanks for the input Deb. Take care. 
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Jluke85
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 67
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| Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject: |
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| deborahbroadus wrote: | Ahh, there's your answer! Apparently, she's one of those fickle ladies that doesn't like to be bothered while she's having her beauty sleep until she's completely dressed.
I would wait about two days after I find the shed and attempt to feed again. |
Just an update...today made two days after her shed and I attempted to feed her a medium rat (usually what she eats) and no luck...would this still be considered normal behavior and should I continue to attempt to feed her, and how often from now on???
Also...while the rat was in the tub and I was observing my snake, she opened her mouth 2 times wide open and closed it. The behavior that ball pythons do right after they eat to put there jaws back into place. The thing is that she didn't eat the rat and hasn't ate her last few meals. What do you think about this?
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Number 2
Joined: 29 Jul 2007
Posts: 544
Location: Kaukauna, WI
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| Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:19 am Post subject: |
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Do you have any males? Someone on here told me to put a male in with my female that is also not feeding. This may entice her into eating...
I am not sure of the exact reason atm.... but I think Nick was the one that told me to try it. I want to try it with mine... but my male is still in quarantine!
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