Feeding behavior

My BP is almost 11 months and weighs 510g. He just went to weekly feedings and has never missed one (5 days up to 500g) until last night. Last night he seemed interested in the live small rat, but too scared to take the initiative and strike. I tried leaving his hide in and letting him hunt from there, I tried exposing him, I tried corralling the rat, yet every time the rat made any sudden exploratory moves, my BP would coil up and hide. I have never had to stun them before and don't know how he'd react to that. I prefer to let him hut somewhat naturally, but I don't want to leave the rat in there unattended. I have tried twice feeding him f/t, yet he shows absolutely no interest then. His temps are 92-93 hot and 82-83 cool with 57% or so humidity, and he is in a 20 gal long tank. Any ideas? How long before I should try to feed him again?

Thanks!!

BPQueen

well why dont you try a smaller rat just to start untill your bp figures it out. and you should wait a week before you offer again. missing one feeding shouldn't hurt your bp.

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Originally Posted by bpqueen

My BP is almost 11 months and weighs 510g. He just went to weekly feedings and has never missed one (5 days up to 500g) until last night. Last night he seemed interested in the live small rat, but too scared to take the initiative and strike. I tried leaving his hide in and letting him hunt from there, I tried exposing him, I tried corralling the rat, yet every time the rat made any sudden exploratory moves, my BP would coil up and hide. I have never had to stun them before and don't know how he'd react to that. I prefer to let him hut somewhat naturally, but I don't want to leave the rat in there unattended. I have tried twice feeding him f/t, yet he shows absolutely no interest then. His temps are 92-93 hot and 82-83 cool with 57% or so humidity, and he is in a 20 gal long tank. Any ideas? How long before I should try to feed him again?

Thanks!!

BPQueen

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Did you feed him mice before rats?..He might be more responsive if you try an adult mouse.mirght be worth a try

BP will sometimes skip a meal every mow and than, it's ok, they will also go of feed for various reason from time to time.

Don't try too hard when offering, offer the prey and remove it if not eaten with 20 minutes no need to stress him by interfering.

In the mean time make sure your husbandry is optimal, limit your handling, keep offering the same type prey that was previously offered and keep trying each week once a week.

Thanks for the thoughts!

@Maverick: The rat is already on the small side (about 9% of his weight or so),
@humpee: He has never been on mice...always rats
@Deborah: I will just keep everything else under close supervision - I don't handle him much as it is and nothing in his habitat has changed so will just chalk it up to "normal" ups and downs of bps and feeding :-)

I am more worried about him suddenly being afraid if they move up on him (pups vs small rats and their movement rate) and not having the guts to strike all of a sudden.