Running out of ideas, and sanity.....

[meekjz]

My female BP went off feed back in early October, and I've been consistently trying to feed her every 10-14 days just to be met with headache after headache. She ate great the first 17 weeks that I had her, taking a F/T med rat and with a rather ridiculous feeding response I must say. I've tried the tuna juice trick, braining the rat, leaving her in a pillow case with it, and tonight I'm gonna try leaving a live hopper.

She is being housed in a 29 gallon tank, sides and back are blacked out with black poster board. Humidity sits at about 52-59%, 88-91 on the hot side, and 77-81 on the cool. AFAIK these are about spot on so don't know what else I can do to get her to eat? She's not handled at all since she went off feed, and she has 2 RBI medium hides.

[Anatopism]

How much does she weigh/How old is she? It's incredibly common for females go off feed around winter time, even in warmer climates where we might not notice much of a change in weather (Photoperiods, temperature, humidity, storms, etc can all be a factor). If you don't have a gram scale, I suggest you get one - they are a lifesaver and definitely help to calm down a panicky mind in times like these. As if by magic, a BP can go off feed for several months, and only lose a gram or two. If she is noticeably losing weight, then I would be more concerned, but if she is not losing weight, it's likely she is just fasting for winter/breeding season (even young girls that aren't large enough to breed will sometimes fast or become pickier around this time).

Do not leave even a mouse hopper in with her for an extended period of time without observing. Hoppers don't seem like they can do much, but I've known a couple people first hand who had their snakes injured or killed by a mouse hopper specifically. If they are big enough to walk around and their eyes are open, don't trust them to be nice to your snake.

If she is losing weight, get her to a vet to be checked up on. May be something as simple as constipation (reading up on some threads here will tell you what to look for) or it may be something more serious, but no need to worry based solely off of a BP not eating during winter/breedin season =)

As for trying other things to get her to eat, there are lots of threads here with excellent advice... involving scenting prey items with other prey items (I've had luck with rats/mice scented with - ASFs, Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice) or even changing up her enclosure (I have one girl that goes off feed and I can only get her to eat if I pack her tub with fake plants, 3 hides, and leave her in complete darkness).

Sorry for the novel... just, don't worry to much just yet - there are lots more things to consider still as to why she isn't eating =)

[meekjz]

I don't have a gram scale but she is about 3 ft, couldn't see her being much over 800 grams. I work 3rd shift and I'm off tonight so I will be able to supervise. She is still passing urates so could constipation be possible? Also could you point me towards a good gram scale? Tried Wal-mart and such, maybe I'll just have to order off RBI? Maybe I'll just take her in to work with me and weigh her on the cash register

[RestlessRobie]

For a gram scale try Harborfriehgt its where I got mine My Normal juvie just got back on feed so hopefully yours about done with winter fast