BP Not Interested in Rats Anymore

Hey Guys....

Very frustrated here because thought I was over this hump. I had the hardest time converting my BP from F/T mice to F/T rats. After struggling for a LONG time, I finally ordered a fresh batch of rats and used 'dirty mouse' bedding which worked like a CHARM. This worked for about 2-3 months as I was able to slowly wean him off the bedding. I was able to get a good solid month of successful feedings without the bedding.

In the last month he's eaten once and he's refused two meals in a row for a total of 3 weeks in a row of not eating. He shows a lot of interest, in fact last night he came out of his hide completely but never striking or taking the food when I left it for him. In the past when he didn't strike and coil, he would eat when I left the food for him.

As for temps and technique of feeding, nothing has changed. He's a male BP at 500 grams.

I'm leaning towards reintroducing 'dirty mouse' bedding. What does everyone think?

Thanks!

You can try it but he may just be acting like a maturing boy. Sometimes they eat sometimes they don't. I would hold out awhile.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

You can try it but he may just be acting like a maturing boy. Sometimes they eat sometimes they don't. I would hold out awhile.

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That's a good point but if he wasn't going to eat, I wouldn't expect him to come the whole way out of his hide and show interest. But maybe that's me trying to apply 'logic' to the situation ;)

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

That's a good point but if he wasn't going to eat, I wouldn't expect him to come the whole way out of his hide and show interest. But maybe that's me trying to apply 'logic' to the situation ;)

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They are all different. I have a male that plays that game but he always "kills" the rat whether he really wants to eat or not. I am wise to his bs at this point and just don't feed him as often.

It never hurts to try with a little bit of smelly stuff. From what i've heard, though, its usually around that size when BP's decide that they dont want to be fed on a regular schedule. Dont stress him out by trying to feed super often though, give him a break of 2 weeks or so before trying again if he truly doesnt want to eat.

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Originally Posted by Slicercrush

It never hurts to try with a little bit of smelly stuff. From what i've heard, though, its usually around that size when BP's decide that they dont want to be fed on a regular schedule. Dont stress him out by trying to feed super often though, give him a break of 2 weeks or so before trying again if he truly doesnt want to eat.

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yea, I was feeding him every seven days and I started to stretch it out to every 2 weeks when he started to show less interest coupled with some refusals. I've only been a snake owner for a year so a lot of this is still 'new' to me.

What ever you do, Do not feed him mice again! :gj:

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

What ever you do, Do not feed him mice again! :gj:

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Agreed! I was just worried that if I scented w/ mice bedding again it might set me back again (which doesn't sound too bad, as long as I can get my hands on it).

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Agreed! I was just worried that if I scented w/ mice bedding again it might set me back again (which doesn't sound too bad, as long as I can get my hands on it).

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Yeah, no mice! If he took rats, he will again. He's just being difficult and hitting a weight wall for males.

BP's are known to do this and he will eat again.

Offer in two weeks, and if he refuses again, offer in 3 weeks. Don't get him used to refusing.

Shayna, my adult female BP, fasts like clockwork every winter for 5 months. I offer monthly once she refuses two meals in a row and eventually she eats again.

She also refuses meals periodically during the summer, but in general, eats happily 3/4 times I offer.

BP's are weird snakes when it comes to eating.

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Originally Posted by dakski

Yeah, no mice! If he took rats, he will again. He's just being difficult and hitting a weight wall for males.

BP's are known to do this and he will eat again.

Offer in two weeks, and if he refuses again, offer in 3 weeks. Don't get him used to refusing.

Shayna, my adult female BP, fasts like clockwork every winter for 5 months. I offer monthly once she refuses two meals in a row and eventually she eats again.

She also refuses meals periodically during the summer, but in general, eats happily 3/4 times I offer.

BP's are weird snakes when it comes to eating.

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Wise words my friend! It can get a little depressing after refusals but I'm glad to hear that it's fairly common.