Feeding problems

Hey everyone

so Pua's first feed day and... I didn't go as planned. So I gave Pua the rat and he took it, coiling around it and you know, constricting his food. It looked like he was going to take it, but he spat it out. Now when I try to offer him the rat, the strikes are more defensive and he balls up and hisses. He was on weaned rats but I accidentally got small, could that be an issue? I've only had him a week, so he's new. He took it the first time, but spat it out and he won't take it.

I would just leave him alone for a week and try again. He sounds like he's still stressed a bit from his new enclosure, etc...
Just check on him daily to make sure equipment is functioning properly, water is good and spot clean if needed. Otherwise, forget he's there and let him get good and settled in.
Try feeding again in a week.

This, of course, is assuming his husbandry is on point...

My group will do that from time to time. My girlfriend's BP is a shy eater and by that I mean he refuses to eat if anyone is in the room. We have to leave the food in his hide and walk away so we'll wait outside the room and then you hear *CRASH* as he goes full speed at the food. If any of mine strike, coil but ultimately release I'll try and offer the food once more and if they show no interest I leave the food in overnight and remove if they haven't eaten it in the morning.

Leave him alone for a week

As suggested above .... Leave him for a week or so then ...

This method WORKS if done properly ...
I wait until evening as they're nocturnal of course .
I let the rodent thaw out in the reptile room so they get the smell ..
Then I warm up the mouse / rat with a hairdryer and offer with tongs IMMEDIATELY whilst still warm .

If it's refused - simply repeat the heating and offering procedure as many times as needed. .
A couple of mine will only strike feed from within their hides so I dangle the warm rodent in front of the hide's entrance - usually works but if it fails simply reheat the rodent with a hairdryer and immediately offer again whilst it's still warm continue until it's grabbed ...

I always wait until evenings to feed as they're nocturnal of course .

Incidentally , if it shows no interest at all not even a tongue flicker maybe it's best to leave for a week or so.


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Pua ate just right now! I bought a large frozen mouse to match a weaned rat, and he took it! No mouse in sight 30 minutes later! Phew!

Excellent !!!


It's your choice , of course , but you could consider waiting 10 days till the next feed which should guarantee another success - you'll then feel confident each time you feed .... just a thought ..

I have a pair of HC Albino Royals / Balls that eat every time BUT only if I feed 10 days apart .... the other Royals will happily eat every 5 to seven days ...

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