Why is my ball python bleeding from the mouth?

My ball python hasn't eaten in 6 months?

• My ball python is about 3 years old and 4 feet long. She hasn't eaten in 6 months (since August). I try to feed her every few days. She sometimes seems interested but she never strikes at it. In October, I took her to the vet because she was bleeding from the mouth. The vet thinks she somehow got a head injury which also caused her head to swell. The swelling and bleeding went away after that and I force-fed her for about a month. She started acting normal again for about two months (but still wouldn't eat). Now she's starting to get sluggish and her tongue flickering is very slow and weak. She is very skinny so I am starting to force-feed her again with the same vitamins and minerals that the vet gave me. I am going to make another appointment for a different vet this week. I just wanted to see if anyone has any comments or similar experiences? I know ball pythons sometimes go through phases of not eating but this can't be normal.

• Answer:

  o.o Yes, ball pythons often fast this time of year due to breeding season, whether they are actually breeding or not. Please, double check your husbandry against this care sheet: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?127203-Ball-Python-(Python-regius)-Caresheet *If* it is correct, then buy a food scale and start tracking her weight. As long as she doesn't lose too much I wouldn't worry. I've heard some have gone off feed for up to a year without issue. I wouldn't suggest force feeding unless she's losing a lot of weight. One of my males has been off feed for close to 3 months and has lost a little less than 100 grams. They'll eat when they are ready, only offer once a week.