BP Feeding Question

[Alex24]

So I have a BP who has been a great feeder and ate every single week since I have owned him. Now he is on week three of not eating. He is about 300 grams. Nothing has changed as far as temp/humidity/bedding etc. I feed frozen thawed mice and I feed him in his tank.

Every time I feed him he will strike no problem, then he try's to eat the mouse and the past three week he always goes at it from the side. He will try for about five minutes then give up and go back into his hide.

Is there anything I can do to help him find the head?

Also, if he doesn't eat it then how long can I leave the mouse in the tank for?

[RichsBallPythons]

So I have a BP who has been a great feeder and ate every single week since I have owned him. Now he is on week three of not eating. He is about 300 grams. Nothing has changed as far as temp/humidity/bedding etc. I feed frozen thawed mice and I feed him in his tank.

Every time I feed him he will strike no problem, then he try's to eat the mouse and the past three week he always goes at it from the side. He will try for about five minutes then give up and go back into his hide.

Is there anything I can do to help him find the head?

Also, if he doesn't eat it then how long can I leave the mouse in the tank for?

Well how are you preparing the mouse. Only way to help is to warm the head warmer than the body to help give off a better heat signature.

If that doesnt help try prekilled

[Alex24]

Well how are you preparing the mouse. Only way to help is to warm the head warmer than the body to help give off a better heat signature.

If that doesnt help try prekilled

I just throw it in a bag and let it float in steaming hot water till it is "soft" i guess you could say.

[RichsBallPythons]

I just throw it in a bag and let it float in steaming hot water till it is "soft" i guess you could say.

Next meal try thawing out in the open near his cage for about 2 hours or so. when its time to offer take blow dryer or hot water and hear up JUST the head.

[kitedemon]

Richsballpythons has that one bang on. Mine it quite funny like that too if I turn off the light too soon he will actually stop eating and release and go to his hide. I have to leave the light on until he goes to his hide. Heat the head and do everything you were doing.

[BuckeyeBalls]

heres what i do

Once i thaw the mouse out in water. I got a tub and there is a few holes at the top of the lid i place the mouse over them holes. Well lets just say when i open the lid hes already out the hide and looking at the mouse through the top.

But before you open blowdry the head for a few secs get it nice and hot.

So i present the tub with the smell of mouse. Once he comes out looking for it thats when i take it off and blow dry it and give him it.

Only done f/t 3 times now he used to eat live. But once he smells that mouse he goes into feeding mode and knows no diff lol

[snakesRkewl]

Also if the prey is too small they will sometimes eat them backwards or sideways even.

[dr del]

Hi,

As everyone has said it really helps them key in if the head is warmer than the rest of the mouse.

Also there's no reason not to reheat the mouse and offer it again if he gets discouraged and gives up.

It doesn't always work but it probably won't hurt to try.


dr del

[BuckeyeBalls]

Hi,

As everyone has said it really helps them key in if the head is warmer than the rest of the mouse.

Also there's no reason not to reheat the mouse and offer it again if he gets discouraged and gives up.

It doesn't always work but it probably won't hurt to try.


dr del

yea the first time i fed f/t he just got real close and just looked at it. i took it back out warmed it up then hit the head with the blow dryer and soon as i stuck it back in he hit it. my guess was it wasnt warm enough first time. So id make sure its warm enough and u present the tub/cage or room