Infinite Scales

10 Reasons Why Your Ball Python Isn’t Eating(and SOLUTIONS)

There are many reasons why a ball python isn’t eating. They could just be acting like stubborn teens and choosing not to eat, but there’s a chance it could also mean something serious is going on.

Here are some reasons why your ball python is not eating and what you can do to solve each problem. You know your snake best so use your best judgement to see which one of these it could be.

Table Of Contents
  1. Ball Python Feeding Chart
  2. 1. They haven't digested their last meal
  3. 2. They are in defensive mode
  4. 3. They can’t sense the food
  5. 4. The food offered is too large
  6. 5. They are in shed
  7. 6. They have a Respiratory Infection (RI)
  8. 7. MITES
  9. 8. They don’t feel safe
  10. 9. Picky eater
  11. 10. It’s Breeding Season
  12. Conclusion
  13. FAQs

Ball Python Feeding Chart

Why my ball python isn't eating

1. They haven’t digested their last meal

Sometimes ball pythons just aren’t hungry. The reason? They’re full! It takes a ball python almost a full week to digest their entire meal. This is why ball pythons only need to eat about once a week or every other week once they’re adults. 

Solution

Double check the temperature and humidity of the enclosure to make sure they have the perfect environment for digesting their food. Try offering food the next day or next scheduled feeding.

2. They are in defensive mode

A ball python will reject food if they feel like they need to defend themselves. There are two ways a ball python will defend itself: 1. striking and 2. fleeting.

A defensive ball python will strike, but won’t constrict.

Take a look at their body language. Are they actively smelling the air searching for food or in a striking position and high alert?

Solution

 There is no quick way to get a ball python to switch from  being defensive to hunting. The best thing to do is leave them alone and wait.
Once they realize they aren’t being threatened try offering food again

black and white mouse for ball pythons
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

3. They can’t sense the food

Ball pythons use their heat pits and tongue to sense prey. The heat pits help sense changes in temperature, while their tongue flickers to gather information from the air, similar to how we would smell. 

If you are feeding a frozen/thawed rodent it has to be warm enough for them to sense it as food. 

You can tell a ball python is having trouble sensing the food if they keep smelling and continue searching for food but don’t strike.

Solution

Warm up the food by soaking it in warm water. I’ve noticed they have the best response to food when they smell or flicker their tongue at the ear of the prey.

4. The food offered is too large

This is especially true with live food.

Ball pythons should eat a rodent the same width as the largest part of the snake. See the chart above for a detailed description of the rat size.

Ball pythons are intelligent so they know if the rodent is too big, they won’t pick that battle.

Solution

Offer food one size smaller and that should give them enough confidence to take on the meal. If they still won’t eat its likely another reason.

5. They are in shed

In shed

Ball pythons go through a shed in phases and the phases can last several days. During the shedding phase ball pythons feel vulnerable and defenseless(also a little blind), so they won’t be comfortable eating while going through it. 

If you see signs of a shed like foggy or blue eyes, then you know the snake will shed. 

For details on snakes shedding phase and what you can do to help them during that process CLICK HERE

Solution

 Wait until after they shed their skin then offer food again. To speed up the shed process give them a warm soak for 10-15 minutes.

6. They have a Respiratory Infection (RI)

woman working girl worried
Photo by Alexander Dummer on Pexels.com

Sadly, snakes get sick just like us. One of the most common illnesses for a snake is respiratory infection. Many symptoms will appear before a snake refuses food if it’s caused by an RI, so don’t come to this conclusion right away. 

Some signs of an RI besides rejecting food are constant “yawning” or opening of the mouth, whistle sound when breathing, pus or mucus around the nose and mouth and lethargy.

If you believe your snake has an RI, contact a vet immediately. 

Solution

If they have any of the RI symptoms listed above they should be taken to the vet right away. They’ll likely need antibiotics

7. MITES

close up photography of red spider mites ball python mites
Photo by Egor Kamelev on Pexels.com

A snake breeders’ worst enemy. Sadly, mites can happen to anyone’s snake collection even if you’re extra cautious. 

You know if your snake has mites because you’ll see them in between their scales. They’ll also be very “active” trying to scratch their itches by rubbing up against everything. 

 It’s always good to check your snake for mites in case they do come up, but when they do your snake may not be interested in food.

Solution

If your snake does have mites use a treatment to get rid of the mites. You can still offer the snake food on its regular schedule while you try to eradicate the mites, but you’re not guaranteed to get a feeding response. 

Tip: Mites can be prevented! Use this spray

8. They don’t feel safe

Ball pythons need to feel secure in order to hunt. If they have too much stress or feel like they’re in danger they’ll reject food(the exact opposite of what I do). 

One thing that can make a ball python feel unsafe is if it is moved to a new location like a new owner or new enclosure. That’s why it’s important to give your snake time to adjust to a new environment by leaving them alone for several days. 

Another thing that can cause this is having an enclosure that’s too big. 

Solution

Add a hide or foliage for them to hide if they don’t already have one. Don’t handle your ball python right before feeding.

9. Picky eater

Just like dogs and cats, ball pythons have personalities too. Sometimes a ball python will refuse food just because they want to.

I have a ball python that will only eat mice and turns down any size rat I offer. 

No matter what I try she won’t get off of eating mice so at this point its just her personality trait.

Solution

Offer a variety of options until you find the one that they like. Mice are like sweet treats for them, offer them a mouse of similar size. Other rodents they’ll eat are gerbils and hamsters. 

Don’t worry. It’s not permanent.

If your ball python only likes a certain rodent, you can wean them off by slowly introducing the food you’d like them to stay on. 

10. It’s Breeding Season

heart shaped cutouts on pink background
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Both male and female ball pythons are known to reject food when they are in breeding mode. They are so focused on trying to breed that they won’t even be interested in food. 

Solution

Give the lovebirds a break. Make sure you if you’re breeding your ball pythons that you give them a few days off every week so they can replenish themselves and get at least one meal in until you pair them back up.

Conclusion

Ball pythons will eat almost any rodent you put in front of them. If your ball python isn’t eating it makes you wonder why.

These are the top reasons of why your ball python is refusing food and what you can do.

If you’ve gone through all of these and still can’t figure out what’s wrong with your ball python, take them to the nearest vet who can properly diagnose them.

Ball pythons can go months without eating so don’t be discouraged and as always have fun.

Is your ball python’s behavior normal? Click here to find out what you should look for when feeding your ball python.

FAQs

How long can ball pythons go without eating?

A ball python can survive off of one meal for up to 6 months. If your ball python has refused food for this long, most likely, there’s an underlying issue

What does it mean when my ball python is active and won’t eat ?

If a ball python is being abnormally active, check for mites or any skin irritation. Mites or any type of pest will cause them not to eat.

Why does my ball python strike but not eat?

They’re in a defensive mode, try again when they’re more relaxed.

Why is my ball python interested but not eating?

If you’re feeding frozen/thawed your ball python may not be able to sense the food you’re offering. Try warming it up more by soaking it in warm water.