She didn't eat again......

[L.West]

I know that the advice on this site has been to not worry about her not eating especially for only 3 weeks time but I was wondering if it would do any harm if I offer her a f/t adult mouse instead of the rats.

She hasn't been on the rats for very long prior to this fasting period - could it be she just decided she doesn't like rats??? Can I offer her a mouse instead to see if she will take it??

Thanks everyone.

[Spaniard]

Yes you can offer a mouse at the next feeding date without it being a problem. As long as you wait a week between feedings it will be ok. You don't want to offer everyday because it can contribute to the stress and prolong the fast.

[L.West]

I just offered her a feeding last night - I offer every Wednesday night so yes, I will wait until next Wednesday to offer her another meal. I can't tell you how frustrating her not eating is.

On this same topic, should I stop holding her - I don't hold her much maybe twice a week but I didn't know if I should stop that all together - or doesn't it matter.

[Spaniard]

Don't worry its a lot more frustrating for you than it is for her

Personally when I have a snake that is fasting I tend to leave it alone with minimal handling until they start taking meals again.

[L.West]

Okay, thanks for the info. I will certainly leave her be. My fear was that if I didn't at least hold her occassionally that she would start to resent being held - she has always been very docile.

[Spaniard]

You will still be interacting with her during cleaning, water changing ect. I just wouldn't be having lengthy handling sessions. I don't often handle all my snakes and they are fine when I do take them out. Great thing about these snakes is that they usually are docile no matter how infrequently they are handled. Of course there are exceptions to every rule but for the most part.

[L.West]

Great - thanks for all your help. I will keep my fingers crossed that she will eat mice next week.

I know and understand that they say it is expected for bp's to fast like this but it drives me nuts because not one thing has changed in her setup from day one and she ate wonderfully for a year.

[Vypyrz]

I have no experience with female snakes but is it possible she is ovulating and not eating because of that?

[L.West]

I have no idea either - she is caged alone and has never been mated. Does anyone know whether or not she could lay eggs??

[therecordingart]

MY 10 year old male still hasn't started eating again since early October. This has been a weird season in the midwest and it's been confirmed a lot of BPs around here haven't started eating yet.

A few weeks is nothing to worry about....even a few months.

I think we stress out because as a human it's hard to imagine even going a day without food.