I think my big boy is fasting!

[GpBp]

So, my big 533g male ball is fasting I think. Last Thursday marked 3 weeks since he hasn't eaten. I know they can go longer, I'm just concerned. I've tried different thawing methods, and he's eating two large mice. I know for a fact he's able to eat them and comfortable eating them, as he's done it many times before! He hasn't lost weight and his husbandry has been fine. What do you think? Thank you!

[tttaylorrr]

sure sounds like it, tho this is the time males start coming out of their winter breeding "party" mode lol, but no one is the same. are you sure on your husbandry? i've followed you long enough so i suspect this might not be the case.
are you still offering 1x/7 days? skip a week if he's still not interested. this time of year (well, earlier) i add on an additional week before offering after a refusal: 2 refusals in a row = two weeks off; 3 refusals = 3 weeks.

EDIT: small anecdote, but with Yellow as an established adult i just wait for him to tell me he's hungry. this time of year, on feeding day, if he's not out and ready then i don't bother (i know he smells it). just keep watching his behavior.

[dakski]

So, my big 533g male ball is fasting I think. Last Thursday marked 3 weeks since he hasn't eaten. I know they can go longer, I'm just concerned. I've tried different thawing methods, and he's eating two large mice. I know for a fact he's able to eat them and comfortable eating them, as he's done it many times before! He hasn't lost weight and his husbandry has been fine. What do you think? Thank you!

Sounds like fasting to me.

At that weight he can go a while. I wouldn’t sweat it for a long time.

Keep monitoring his weight weekly or every other week. Common for BP’s to lose 5-10% of their body weight in a fast. Shayna fasts every winter and loses between 6-8% of her body weight over 5 months or so.

I would go to offering every two weeks instead of every week though. At least until he eats again.

Offering when he doesn’t want to eat can just stress him out.

Also, any reason you aren’t offering weaned/small rats at this point?

Would probably be easier than offering two mice. Soon he will need more than two mice as well.

[tttaylorrr]

Also, any reason you aren’t offering weaned/small rats at this point?

Would probably be easier than offering two mice. Soon he will need more than two mice as well.

somehow missed this part. i have the same Q now OP

[GpBp]

Warm: 96-97
Ambient: 81
Cool: 78-79
UTH: 85

I am defiantly wanting to get on weanlings, though I cant find any at petstores near me, and I want to wait until he's eating reagularly. I offer every Thursdsy, but I can iffer every 2 weeks. Ill keep monotoring his behavior/weight

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[dakski]

Warm: 96-97
Ambient: 81
Cool: 78-79
UTH: 85

I am defiantly wanting to get on weanlings, though I cant find any at petstores near me, and I want to wait until he's eating reagularly. I offer every Thursdsy, but I can iffer every 2 weeks. Ill keep monotoring his behavior/weight

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I am confused, is your warm side 96-97F?

That's too hot for a BP if it is.

Nothing over 90F is a good rule. 91-93F won't hurt the snake, but likely the animal will not like that very much. Hotter than that is not good and when you get over 95F it can be bad for the BP.

You have two BP's and a BCI now, correct? I would begin ordering frozen rats online, if you have freezer space. Big Cheese Rodents and Perfect Prey are both good sources. The latter sells smaller packs as well, but you have to pay for shipping either way.

[GpBp]

[QUOTE=dakski;2601452]I am confused, is your warm side 96-97F?

Ahh no sorry, 88 F!!!! I got mixed up I can buy more, I'm actually saving up for a nice mini fridge for that purpose


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[dakski]

[QUOTE=GpBp;2601455]

I am confused, is your warm side 96-97F?

Ahh no sorry, 88 F!!!! I got mixed up I can buy more, I'm actually saving up for a nice mini fridge for that purpose


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Okay, no problem. Yeah, that fine, and if anything, the UTH could be 88 or so too. That shouldn't really change ambient temps.

I hoped and figured it was a typo as you seem to have your stuff together.

Thank you for clarifying though. I was a little concerned.

Very cool on the mini-fridge/freezer. I have a small chest freezer just for the snake rodents!

[GpBp]

Small update:
Still not eating Feeding day is tomorrow, should I stick with a jumbo MOUSE, or go for a small RAT? I was thinking to stay with mice until he's eating normally, but what do you guys think? Eat Geno, eat! Your killin me

[dakski]

Small update:
Still not eating Feeding day is tomorrow, should I stick with a jumbo MOUSE, or go for a small RAT? I was thinking to stay with mice until he's eating normally, but what do you guys think? Eat Geno, eat! Your killin me

Relax; deep breathes.

It's okay if he doesn't eat, even for a while. If he refuses again, I would go to offering every 2-3 weeks until he eats.

Also, I would offer what he's used to and has been eating. Once he's had a few meals in him, whenever that is, then try to switch to rats.

Good luck and RELAX!