1st time not eating

Chocolate, my BP, Has always ate on Thursday night, and quick to nab it. I have been reading the "many" bits of advice, and to have a seperate feed box sounded really good, so she won't ever think I am food. So I got a platic tub, let her search it out, she didn't try to get out or seem stressed, so I put the rat pup in with her. Nothing. Try try again, nothing. So I put her in her tank again. Left her alone awhile, then removed the hide and stuff (usual, she is use to the procedure) but she still won't eat. I will try tomorrow, let her rest. Was it likely that suddenly going to a new procedure upset her too much to eat? How do I fix it? Prep a tank for feeding that is identical to what we have been doing. Or just keep introducing her to the platic tub. I haven't had her long, she is 28", from the 16" when I bought her. Outgrowing her tank so I have to get another one anyhow, so just keep this one to feed? I think I scared her. I first visited this site a few nights ago, alot of info from everyone. She was either getting a cold, or did her first ever hiss. Hiss. Though I am not sure why, nothing to upset her then. Can it be a maturity thing? Thanks in advance.

That saying that a snake will associate your hand with food is a total myth. Just keep feeding her like you have been doing so before tonight. I feed all my snakes in their tub's and never have had a problem with them thinking I was food.

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Originally Posted by joannarea

Chocolate, my BP, Has always ate on Thursday night, and quick to nab it. I have been reading the "many" bits of advice, and to have a seperate feed box sounded really good, so she won't ever think I am food. So I got a platic tub, let her search it out, she didn't try to get out or seem stressed, so I put the rat pup in with her. Nothing. Try try again, nothing. So I put her in her tank again. Left her alone awhile, then removed the hide and stuff (usual, she is use to the procedure) but she still won't eat. I will try tomorrow, let her rest. Was it likely that suddenly going to a new procedure upset her too much to eat? How do I fix it? Prep a tank for feeding that is identical to what we have been doing. Or just keep introducing her to the platic tub. I haven't had her long, she is 28", from the 16" when I bought her. Outgrowing her tank so I have to get another one anyhow, so just keep this one to feed? I think I scared her. I first visited this site a few nights ago, alot of info from everyone. She was either getting a cold, or did her first ever hiss. Hiss. Though I am not sure why, nothing to upset her then. Can it be a maturity thing? Thanks in advance.

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Like said previously feeding outside the tub so your BP does not confuse you with food is a myth. If you have a good feeding routine and go in the enclosure on a regular basis other then for feeding you will not have any problem.

I feed all mine in their enclosure and never once was mistaken for food.

Now the advantage of feeding form their enclosure is that it allows BP to ambush their prey from the security of their hide so no need to remove the hide either.

Now before offering again make sure a week as passed since refusal, offering to soon after could cause stress leading to more refusal.

No sure how long you have this BP so I will say this refusal can be caused by different thing

Stress due to a recent change (Changing enclosure or enclosure's place) which would mean your BP would only need time to readjust

Also make sure you have proper temps 80-84 on the cool side 90-94 on the warm side
Humidity should be 50%-60% (Make sure you have an accurate reading so the best is to have a digital thermometer/hydrometer)
Make sure both hides are tight enough so your BP can snug in (all sides touching your BP's body)

I will add this BP do not get a cold but RI and if you suspect it you will need to see a vet as it does not clear on it's own. Now could it be hissing, yes it can be too but hard to say since YOU have heard your BP and I cannot guess on something I did not hear myself.

Thanks for advice, and information. Only about 4 to 5 months owned BP, but from start ate good, frequent handling never bothered her. Tried feeding out of her tank, which I fed her in it and she did well, and started letting her climb an artifical tree, dumb of me I have found out just because of fall factor. But 2 big changes in one week, thimk I messed up. No food for a week, then I will try again, otherwise keep it all on the norm. I am getting a heat/humidity gage, have just a heat one on hot side, need to monitor better I am sure. I usually soak her when she goes into shed. She usually cuddkled into the water as if aaaaah. Sheds pretty good. But just started spraying tank, I feel its too dry for her.