Question

We all know that many Ball Pythons will stop eating from time to time.

I have not been able to find anything in the literature that addresses my question.

Has anyone documented whether or not females are more likely to do this than males ?

Just curious, because when I talk with other herpers who keep Ball Pyhtons and they tell me their BP has stopped eating, I ask whether it's a male or female.
Thus far, 100% of those I've questioned say it's a female.

Well, I know my wife is more stubborn than I am, so maybe it isn't just pythons . Just kidding.

My female isn't eating right now. She did the same thing through the winter last year.

Michael,
That means it's still 100% of the sample.

I've had both males and females refuse food for a couple of weeks. I have a friend that his male ball hasn't ate for 4 weeks.

I had a female ball that went off eating for 16 weeks (4 months), she then ate one small rat, and then refused to eat for another 4 weeks!

My male BP, Monty will usually go through a fasting phase at least once or twice a year since I first got him. With him it has nothing to do with the season, the 1st year I had him he did not stop eating through the winter, and fasted in the following spring for about 3 weeks.

So Scott, what's been your experience with this ?

I have males and females of breeding age not eating now. Its hard not to get a little frustrated but I just don't push it and watch their weight. But its definitely more females than males in my experience so far. =)

I have had both males and females fast. Interesting side note though.....

My big female ball, (she's a 3000+ gram '97) has only refused food on two seperate occasions (minus the occasional one time here and there). Both times I was deployed to Iraq. The first time was 5 months. My dad watched her and she never ate. The second time was for 6 months. My wife took care of her and she never ate. Both times, the first time I attempted to feed her when I got home she ate. She loves me.....

That is interesting.

My biggest female now 2500+ (My old gecko scale doesnt go any higher) ate up till ovulation. since then she just kind of lays there and curls around the water bowl and like human females and the couch, just looks kind of miserable. I'm looking for eggs anytime in the next few days!