When should I be worried about my BP not eating?

[Robotsonmars]

It's been 4 or 5 weeks since my snake last ate and i'm getting slightly worried. I offer them a mouse every week but they just don't eat it. I've read that it's normal for BPs to go a few weeks without eating, especially in the winter, but when should I start to get worried? Thanks!

[KMG]

How old are they?

Are they dropping weight and appear unhealthy?

If they are not babies and at a good weight you have no need to worry. If I get one refusing regularly I extended the period of time between offerings to a few weeks. No reason to thaw and waste food for a snake that is just being a snake.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Depends on the size, the general look and feel, can't tell you without more info on your part.

You should also provide detailed husbandry information to see if something can be suggested to help your animal resume feeding.

[Robotsonmars]

I don't know how old they are but they're definitely not an adult yet, the pet store didn't know. And they look healthy enough. Thanks!

[KMG]

I don't know how old they are but they're definitely not an adult yet, the pet store didn't know. And they look healthy enough. Thanks!

If they are not adults they need to be eating. As suggested above giving us the husbandry details may give us what we need to get them to eating again.

Also it could be how you are preparing the food so it would be helpful to describe this as well.

[Robotsonmars]

Ok um what sort of information do you need exactly? Sorry. I feed them a thawed hopper sized mouse every week and I feed them in a box, if they don't eat the mouse after 10 or so minuets ill put them back and throw away the mouse. I'm not sure how much they weigh either because we don't have a scale.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Ok um what sort of information do you need exactly? Sorry. I feed them a thawed hopper sized mouse every week and I feed them in a box, if they don't eat the mouse after 10 or so minuets ill put them back and throw away the mouse. I'm not sure how much they weigh either because we don't have a scale.

First thing stop feeding in a box, this can cause enough stress to lead to a refusal.

Feed in the enclosure, let the prey thaw near the enclosure, simulate a live feeder by holding the feeder behind it's neck dragging it across the enclosure's floor, and of course make sure the prey is warm enough, if uneaten leave the prey overnight some will prefer to feed that way.


BTW hoppers are to small of a food item, hatchling out of the eggs eat hoppers and quickly move to adult mice.

Need to know the weight since you are feeding hopper they must be very small.

Are they house together?

What size enclosure do you provide?

What are your temps? Humidity? How do you measure them? (Type of thermometer and hygrometer used)

How many hides do you have, are they snug and identical?

How often do you handle them?

If they are young they should eat if they do not it is likely 99% husbandry related and fixable.