When do you start to panic about your BP not eating?

So I have a BP that is almost 2 years old and he weighs 1130 grams. He has always eaten with a very strong response. He stopped eating about 4 weeks ago. The first was because he was starting to shed (pink belly) and I didn't think much of it. The second week I skipped feeding. The third week he didn't eat which was strange for him. I didn't handle him at all other than cage cleaning day to keep his stress levels down. I'm trying to feed him right now and he seems to be refusing it. I'm going to leave it in there for an hour before checking on him but I'm pretty worried about him not eating it. I know it's normal for BPs to fast sometimes, but at what point should I be worried? His temps and humidity are pretty perfect with him being in a tub. He had an amazing shed.

Maybe partly due to the breeding season ??

Either way , don't worry - the record for snake fasting was apparently two YEARS !!

4 weeks is nothing. Unless it is losing weight quickly you have nothing to worry about. My BP has twice take long breaks, once 4 months and the other 5.

At that weight and age, no problem at all. He probably could fast for 4 months and there still wouldn't be a problem. :) As long as they don't lose significant weight/look obviously underweight, it's normal and fine.

I usually only offer once every 2-3 weeks while they are fasting. No stress.

I have a 3 year old 1400g that have not been eating the last 6 months. And I still don't panic :P

No signs of any illness at all and he recently had a fecal float done. I did notice something tonight while I was feeding him. I normally defrost his rats in bags that are put into water. I ran out of the bags I normally use and I started using crappy ones that leak a lot of water into the bag. I wonder if that has helped clean the rat and make it smell less. They normally smell pretty funky. He definitely looks interested but never actually strikes.

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Originally Posted by Medli

No signs of any illness at all and he recently had a fecal float done. I did notice something tonight while I was feeding him. I normally defrost his rats in bags that are put into water. I ran out of the bags I normally use and I started using crappy ones that leak a lot of water into the bag. I wonder if that has helped clean the rat and make it smell less. They normally smell pretty funky. He definitely looks interested but never actually strikes.

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Believe it or not, that could be it. I have a BP that will only eat if I go straight from the freezer, to the warm water (no bag), to his enclosure. If his prey sits out for a little while, he won't eat it. If I leave it in the fridge or at room temp to defrost, he won't eat.

I will try to change out the bag but I won't offer food again until at least next Tuesday. Hopefully it works.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Medli

No signs of any illness at all and he recently had a fecal float done. I did notice something tonight while I was feeding him. I normally defrost his rats in bags that are put into water. I ran out of the bags I normally use and I started using crappy ones that leak a lot of water into the bag. I wonder if that has helped clean the rat and make it smell less. They normally smell pretty funky. He definitely looks interested but never actually strikes.

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That sounds possible - You read about people scenting rodents before offering and 'braining' so smell clearly plays a part for sown snakes - that's why I never soak in water ..

It's never been a big deal because the bags don't normally leak. I also didn't think much of it when it did happen because my other BP is eating like a champ.