Question about feeding a new bp

[richiquick]

Okay I got a male black pastel yesterday from a girl that bought him at an expo.He is very handsome but under weight,she had never feed him in over two months.I know that is not an extremely long time for a Bp but he is maybe six months old,I can't tell because of his weight,and he is Way to small.His ribs are not showing which is good but he is definitely under weight and I think dehydrated,he drank water yesterday and appears healthy for the most part,he is in quarantine though.If he will not eat soon how long should I wait to assist feed??

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[Tat2Guy]

Assist feeding is the last ditch effort. It is extremely stressful on the snake. I had a picky Eater but if I leave a ft rat in over night its gone in the morning

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[bcr229]

she had never feed him in over two months.

Does this mean the BP has been fasting for over two months, or does it mean that he hasn't been offered food in over two months?

[richiquick]

She said she offered f/t and he had no interest at all, and she did not have the stomach for live She admitted she did not know what she was getting into,I have doubts of husbandry and the amount if stress put on the little guy,I wouldn't assist feed until I was sure it was the only option for his health.I am giving him all the time and space needed for him to relax,I am more concerned about when that would be the right thing.I have not had to do that in years and last time was only a last ditch effort

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[Reptile Frenzy]

Have you tried live? Sometimes you can get them feeding good on live and then switch them to F/T by heat lamping the rodent and wiggling it to make it seem alive. Done it to plenty of snakes but there is always gonna be the ones that are too picky and want to eat only live. If he gets to the point where you think he is going to need help then I suggest assist feed before force feed. Two different things but cause stress either way. We had to assist feed a couple balls last year. On hatchlings we took a pinky rat and and forced the snakes mouth open and stuck the rat down into its throat then place back in tub. They sit there and try and try to get it out then realize they cant and they begin taking it down. Continue that until they start striking and wrapping on their own. The 2 we had to assist feed last year have turned out to be the best feeders! Force feeding is where you pretty much force the whole rodent down the snake and even massage it down into their belly. I try to avoid that as much as possible. But assist feeding is easy and has worked great for us! Goodluck!

[richiquick]

I did try live yesterday but it is probably to soon because I got him yesterday and he needs time to adapt,but I'm hoping next week he will eat,he is so thin.I hope I get your luck,he is a beautiful boy,I'm lucky to have him, and for next to nothing,the woman cared she was just inexperienced with bps,and a baby at that.I have had them for awhile but I get stressed with hatchlings still,stubborn little things at times lol

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[bcr229]

Yeah trying to feed him yesterday was probably too soon, especially if you think he didn't have the proper environment before with heat, humidity, etc. I'd give him a week in a small tub with correct temps and humidity, handle him as little as possible, and offer a live mouse hopper.

[CORBIN911]

Dont over try to feed aswell itll stress it out, At worst case Try to find someone who Sells "ASF rats" they are very meal appleasing for pesky snakes, just getting off them is ur next issue!

[richiquick]

I'm gonna wait a week and try again,I know it was probably to soon but I had to try!I blacked his tank out,gave him water,a hide and a nice full week to himself and see what happens.I will give "ASF rats" if I have to but only if I have to, I don't want him to go through withdrawal!Thanks everyone I'll definitely keep you posted,and get some pictures up of my little buddies,my lesser made it through quarantine so he will be out more,and all of my beautiful normals,I love the natural patterns,my wife loves the morphs so I'm just lucky to have a snake lover by my side!

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[richiquick]

She is eating,I am so happy!

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