Suddenly won't eat a live rat?

[abby1013]

So my snake seems to be really indecisive about his food. When I got him he was eating frozen rats then after a few months he decided he didn't want to anymore and went on a hunger strike until I have him live food. He has been eating live small rats for over a year now but this month he seems to have changed his mind again. I offered him a rat the same way I always do, in his feeding container, and he showed no interest in it at all. Even when the rat went right up to his face. Nothing is wrong or different about his environment and he has no signs of starting to shed or sickness. Any idea what I should try to do?

[jsmorphs2]

I'm assuming by you saying "him" it is a male and by feeding it small rats he's a decent size. Sounds like normal behavior for a male at breeding size. Keep offering him something every week until he's ready to eat again but monitor his weight. Too much weight loss can mean a different issue.

[abby1013]

Oh I wasn't aware that they behaved differently at a certain age. I guess I should clarify then that I don't actually know the gender, I just picked one to call him. But "he" is about 3 years old and 3'6 long if that tells you anything.