Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 573

1 members and 572 guests
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,916
Threads: 249,118
Posts: 2,572,200
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, Wilson1885
  • 11-15-2013, 03:33 PM
    linzard
    Still having feeding issues with my baby BP...
    So, my baby cinnamon BP (purchased October 11th, 2013 from NERD) has not eaten since the 17th of October. He was originally fed hoper mice, and readily took two (F/T hopper mice) the first week of adoption. When I purchased him, he was tiny (and adorable), but they said he was eating regularly. He is frightened by live prey. He acts like a normal ball when I hold him, in fact he is rather sweet and very docile. I keep handling to a minimum, hold him maybe once a week because he hasn't been eating (don't want to stress him).

    These are the current housing temps/humidity/sizing:

    16QT tub in a single baby snake rack (with heat tape)
    Ambient room temp 80 degrees
    83.7 degrees cool side
    90.5 degrees warm side
    70% humidity (he is currently shedding)
    Substrate is paper towel
    He has fresh water always, three hides and some nice minerals for him to rub up against during shedding (for those of you interested in metaphysics)

    I am starting to worry because he seems to be getting skinny. The last time I weighed him he was 50grams. He prefers being housed in a 16QT over a 6QT. If pictures are needed I can try to upload some later!

    Any advice on what I can change/what may be wrong let me know.
  • 11-15-2013, 03:56 PM
    200xth
    Have you tried feeding him live or have you been trying FT?
  • 11-15-2013, 04:03 PM
    linzard
    Re: Still having feeding issues with my baby BP...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by 200xth View Post
    Have you tried feeding him live or have you been trying FT?

    I have tried live, but he was frightened from the live feeders! I first tried a live hopper mouse and the live rat pups. But to no avail. Do you think it is just because he is shedding? I noticed he pooped a little the other day (which was of course cleaned) but it was just urates.

    Ive also tried F/T hopper mice and fuzzies.
  • 11-15-2013, 04:09 PM
    200xth
    Is he shedding now? Or was that before? I don't think he'd be in shed now after not eating for a month, but just wanted to be sure.

    Do you feed him in his enclosure?

    What did the place you bought him from say he was eating before you got him? I'm assuming mice, but again, wanted to be sure.

    Why do you think the mouse hoppers scare him? I would honestly just drop a live mouse hopper in there and let him get it.
  • 11-15-2013, 04:13 PM
    linzard
    Re: Still having feeding issues with my baby BP...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by 200xth View Post
    Is he shedding now? Or was that before? I don't think he'd be in shed now after not eating for a month, but just wanted to be sure.

    Do you feed him in his enclosure?

    Why do you think the mouse hoppers scare him? I would honestly just drop a live mouse hopper in there and let him get it.

    He is currently shedding (he as all the signs, his eyes are not cloudy yet though).
    I feed him in his enclosure. I tried to feed him outside in a different tub for the hell of it (everything I read advises not to).

    I can tell he is afraid of the live prey because he retracts from it and hides immediately... he is a tiny little guy after all. I have to make a special trip about an hour away to get live. The hopper mice and rat pups I bought definitely just scared him away. He did not think they were food.
  • 11-15-2013, 04:20 PM
    200xth
    Re: Still having feeding issues with my baby BP...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by linzard View Post
    He is currently shedding (he as all the signs, his eyes are not cloudy yet though).
    I feed him in his enclosure. I tried to feed him outside in a different tub for the hell of it (everything I read advises not to).

    I can tell he is afraid of the live prey because he retracts from it and hides immediately... he is a tiny little guy after all. I have to make a special trip about an hour away to get live. The hopper mice and rat pups I bought definitely just scared him away. He did not think they were food.

    If he's in shed, that may be why he's not eating now.

    As far as where to feed, I would say keep feeding him in his enclosure. I'm not a fan of special feeding tubs, but they work for some people.

    I have one who used to initially hide when food was put in the enclosure. I know everyone says you need to actively monitor your snake if you're feeding live, but I don't see a mouse hopper posing much threat. She would not come out initially, but when I closed up the tub, gave her some privacy and came back an hour or so later, the mouse was gone. Incidentally, this one eats FT now, but will only do it in the middle of the night when no one is watching. Some snakes just like private dining it seems.
  • 11-15-2013, 04:24 PM
    linzard
    Re: Still having feeding issues with my baby BP...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by 200xth View Post
    If he's in shed, that may be why he's not eating now.

    I would say keep feeding him in his enclosure. I'm not a fan of special feeding tubs, but they work for some people.

    I have one who used to initially hide when food was put in the enclosure. I know everyone says you need to actively monitor your snake if you're feeding live, but I don't see a mouse hopper posing much threat. She would not come out initially, but when I closed up the tub, gave her some privacy and came back an hour or so later, the mouse was gone. Incidentally, this one eats FT now, but will only do it in the middle of the night when no one is watching. Some snakes just like private dining it seems.

    The hopper mouse I got had its eyes open, I would be too afraid to leave it in the enclosure. However I have read the hoppers generally have the eyes close still? I know he wasn't offered live at NERD either. I am just worrying about his weight and such. Could I try leaving a F/T hopper in the enclosure?
  • 11-15-2013, 04:29 PM
    200xth
    You can always try it. Defrost it, offer it, if he doesn't take it quickly, leave it at the entrance to his hide over night. It may be gone the next day.
  • 11-15-2013, 04:29 PM
    linzard
    Re: Still having feeding issues with my baby BP...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by 200xth View Post
    You can always try it. Defrost it, offer it, if he doesn't take it quickly, leave it at the entrance to his hide over night. It may be gone the next day.

    I will definitely try that!! I hope he eats soon.
  • 11-15-2013, 09:08 PM
    NYHC4LIFE8899
    200,it's been a month,lol,why are u talking about him shedding,apparently that is not the case. Cause he's just going into shed,that was clearly stated....everything in your tank sounds perfect t and well if he's a baby and not eating at all,he's probably sick.
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1