1st time owner-- feeding question

[MulataSalsera]

My little guy hasnt eaten in at least 3 weeks. I put the food in...he gets interested...sniffs around for about 15 min...hours later the food is still there and he is chillin somewhere else. Other than drinking more water than usual, I havent seen any behavioral changes and havent handled him much. He usually doesnt eat every week but this is longer than usual.

Is this something to be worried about?

[Johan]

My little guy hasnt eaten in at least 3 weeks. I put the food in...he gets interested...sniffs around for about 15 min...hours later the food is still there and he is chillin somewhere else. Other than drinking more water than usual, I havent seen any behavioral changes and havent handled him much. He usually doesnt eat every week but this is longer than usual.

Is this something to be worried about?

This kind of thing is pretty common w/ balls. Always check your animal husbandry and for disease etc. You should weigh your ball to check for weight loss. Next try the different feeding strats. Rats to mice... Live to f/t... Braining etc etc. Only try feeding every 5-7 days or just follow your regular schedule. If no significant wt change, it's usually okay gl

[blushingball419]

How big/old is he? What are your temps and humidity?

Some bps like their prey to move, so you might try dangling the mouse for him or making it do the zombie dance next time. Also, making sure the prey is warm enough is really important. I use a hair dryer for a couple minutes on the rats for my bp, mainly around the head and chest area.

As long as your temps and humidity are good and he has nice, secure hides, you really don't have to worry until they start losing weight. And they can usually go a several months without eating and be fine. Just keep offering every week

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Is this something to be worried about?

Depends if it is an adult or not.

By little guy I would assume hatchling or juvy?

In general at that age they are eating machine and often the main reason why they do not eat (especially with new owner) is husbandry related.

How big is your BP (weight)?

How big is your enclosure?

What are your temps? Do you use a digital device to measure them?

What is your humidity?

Do you provide tight hides?

How often do you handle your BP?

What have been offering so far (prey type and size) and how often?

[TheWinWizard]

I take it you feed f/t? You could also try putting the prey in his favorite hide blocking up the entrance. That may do the trick,it's worked for me.

[MulataSalsera]

Ive had my guy since the end of December...he is a juvenile...he also hasnt shed yet...

he only used his hides maybe the first few weeks...since then I havent seen him use any of the hides...he lounges on the substrate (under which is an undertank heater) or on top of the tree hide next to the heat lamp. He has no problems being handled and is very chill. I think he may have only eaten about 3 times since I first got him.

I havent been handling him at all over the last 2 weeks.

I am not sure of his weight as I dont have a scale. I havent visually noticed any change in weight though.

He drinks alot and I havent noticed any changes in his behavior

Earlier on he would only eat every 10 days to 2 weeks or so. At one point he went a couple weeks without eating...I had tried to move him from a fuzzie to the next size but he wouldnt eat...went back to the fuzzie and he ate.

The temps on the cool side are about 70+ and on the warm side about 80-85 in the center (although I dont know how accurate that is given the vertical gradient since I have a lamp up top and under tank on the bottom)

Humidity is about 40%

For now, he is in a 20 gallon tank

I put stick the food in there with the tongs and wiggle it around...once my guy catches the scent he goes straight it...he will smell it...move around it...and then he will coil up ... I think he is going in for the glory munch..but no...he'll just stare at it...a half hour later...he will still be there...in the same position coiled, tongue flickering...and doing nothing...an hour later he is back in his favorite spot near his tree hide as if nothing happened...the food remains there uneaten.

With all his enthusiasm...I think that there is no way he wont eat...but alas...

As I said, this is my first BP...my corn has about 6 months on him and will eat 2-3 fuzzies a week without fail.