insist on feeding rats to bp

[tumy]

hi, i have a 1000+g bp that is a mice feeder, it's in off feed now for almost 3 months, is it ok if i switch it to rat by offering a rat pup every 2 weeks? will it starve itself to death if not givin what it's used to eat?(mice) thanks in advance

[stratus_020202]

I would try a rat weanling. A put is pretty small. BPs can go a long time with out eating. Some have gone 1.5 yrs. I would try a rat weanling every week. If you can get him to take one, wait another 10-14 days to try another.

But, yes. If they do not want to eat a rat out of fear, they can get ill. If you notice him loosing a considerable amount of weight, you'll have to go back to mice Good luck with him.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You can try switching but chances how it might not work especially since this animal is already on strike, but you can try there is nothing to lose.

Try offering a rat pup (they are the same size than a mice and it will make the switch a little easier, bigger different prey can be more intimidating), once your BP switches upgrade to a bigger size as needed.

Keep in mind that a 1000 grams BP can go months without food, so simply make sure your husbandry is optimal, keep handling to a minimum and wait till he resumes feeding (sooner or later he will)

Note: When an animal that age stop feeding switching prey type is not always the solution.

[Kaorte]

hi, i have a 1000+g bp that is a mice feeder, it's in off feed now for almost 3 months, is it ok if i switch it to rat by offering a rat pup every 2 weeks?

yes, though you could probably just feed a small rat.

will it starve itself to death if not givin what it's used to eat?(mice) thanks in advance

no it will not starve itself to death. A healthy adult ball python can go well over 6 months without food.

[tumy]

thanks for the info guys i'll just wait till my bp eats rat

[iCandiBallPythons]

Are you feeding live or f/t?

[stratus_020202]

I don't think it's very smart to not feed him until he eats rats. If he was bit, or traumatized by one, he might never eat them. They can go months without eating, but eventually he is going to start loosing weight.

I wouldn't try for more than 3 months. If he still won't eat a rat, switch back to mice. Breeding season is approaching, and he may stop eating all together. It's a long time till next spring.

[ScubaDiver007]

Is the snake a male or female? I personally keep my males between 800 - 1000Grams. Ive heard that you want slimmer trimmer males. I have a bp that's been off food for 3 months now. At first i was freaking out.. but everyone keeps telling me to relax about it.

my thoughts..

Scuba

[sho220]

Definitely give rats a try before going back to mice. I had a couple mousers who switched to rats after going off feed for a few months.

[tumy]

thanks for the info guys