Ball Python Not Eating in Winter? What's Normal and What Isn't

A ball python not eating in winter is often normal. Many ball pythons eat less or stop from late fall to early spring, especially around breeding season. A vet column in REPTILES magazine calls it normal "winter anorexia." It's usually fine if your snake holds its weight, looks well, and the enclosure temps are right. Keep offering food and keep weighing.

When your snake eats again, call or text Mike at (520) 451-4380 for the right size.

Here's what's behind it, what to check, and the signs that mean it's time for a vet.

Why do ball pythons stop eating in winter?

There are a few reasons, and they often stack up.

Breeding season. Margaret Wissman, DVM, writes in a REPTILES magazine feeding column that "all ball pythons usually go off feed during the winter breeding season." ReptiFiles adds that males often fast for a while during breeding season.

Shorter days. In a second column on winter anorexia, Dr. Wissman says that if the enclosure temps haven't changed, the fast may be "related to decreased daylight hours."

Cooler temps. ReptiFiles notes that even well-kept ball pythons "fast," usually during the cooler times of the year.

Eggs. Dr. Wissman notes that females don't feed while gravid (carrying eggs) or while guarding eggs.

Imported snakes. She also writes that imported ball pythons "typically go into a fast between November and April."

One thing ball pythons don't do is hibernate. Dr. Wissman is clear on that. Some breeders cool their snakes before breeding. She says a pet keeper doesn't need to.

What do Tucson homes change, and what don't they?

Tucson winters are mild by day and cold at night. The National Weather Service lists these normals for Tucson (1991 to 2020):

What changes: your house can run cooler at night, especially with the heat set low. When the room cools, the enclosure can cool too. A night heat source that was fine in September may fall short in January.

For ball pythons, Dr. Wissman gives about 85 to 90°F by day with a 95°F hot spot, and 75°F at night. PetMD's vet-written care sheet gives 95°F for the warm end and about 78°F for the cool end. Check your readings at night, not only by day.

What doesn't change: the season. Your snake still notices shorter days, even in a warm room. Breeding season still comes. So a fast can happen even when your setup is perfect.

Should I raise the temperature?

Check it, don't crank it. Aim for the right range, day and night.

If the readings are low, fix them. Add or adjust a night heat source on a thermostat. PetMD says under-tank heat mats should always be on a thermostat so a snake doesn't get burned.

If the readings are already right, the fast is likely seasonal. Dr. Wissman's view: if temps are correct, the weight loss is small, and there are no signs of illness, it's "not anything to worry about." She also says not to force-feed. That should be "the last resort," handled by a vet.

How often should I offer food in winter?

Keep offering on your normal schedule. There's no special winter schedule to learn.

For adult ball pythons, the vet-reviewed feeding schedule on The Vet Desk lists every 10 to 14 days. If your snake doesn't take the meal, take it out and try again on the next feeding day. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that if a snake doesn't eat right away, it likely "did not need to be fed yet."

If you feed live, a fasting snake is a reason to be extra careful. Stay and watch the whole time. ReptiFiles says to remove the rat if it isn't eaten within 15 to 30 minutes. Never leave a live rat in with your snake. Dr. Wissman's winter column tells of a ball python that "had been gnawed on by a hungry rat." Our live feeding checklist covers the steps.

Feed frozen-thawed? Good. A winter fast can look like a frozen problem when it's the season. If your snake refuses frozen all year, read ball python won't eat frozen-thawed.

Waiting out a fast? Get batch alerts and Mike will email you when a new batch is ready. When your snake starts eating again, the right size is a text away.

How do I know if the winter fast is a problem?

Weight is the signal. Days without food tell you less.

ReptiFiles says to weigh a ball python once a week. A loss under 10% of body weight is no cause for worry if your snake looks well otherwise. Dr. Wissman lists warning signs: losing a lot of weight, looking very thin, open-mouth breathing, extra saliva, or other breathing trouble.

Young snakes are different. Dr. Wissman notes that adults "can (and often do) go several months without feeding" if their weight is okay. But "hatchlings can get into trouble and may actually starve to death within several months if they don't eat." In her winter column, she also notes a growing hatchling wouldn't be expected to go through a winter fast. So don't wait long with a baby.

Need a starting weight? Our ball python weight chart shows typical weights by age. For longer fasts, see how long a ball python can go without eating.

When does the winter fast usually end?

Usually by spring. Dr. Wissman writes that a ball python "should begin feeding again voluntarily in late winter or early spring."

If it hasn't started eating by spring, she says to take it to a reptile vet. Bring a fresh stool sample if you can. Her column points to the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians vet directory (arav.org) to find one.

Other reasons a ball python stops eating include shedding, stress and a new home. See our main guide: why won't my ball python eat. For the regular schedule once it's eating again, see how often to feed a ball python.

Ride out the fast, then feed the right size

A winter fast is common. Check temps, weigh once a week, and keep offering on schedule. Call a vet if the weight drops past 10% or your snake seems sick.

Mike breeds live feeder rats in the Tucson area, sized by grams. When your snake starts eating again, call or text Mike at (520) 451-4380 with its current weight. He replies the same day. See rat sizes and prices or the feeder size guide.