BP seems to have gone stupid

I am babysitting an 8 month old python (male) He's normally a great feeder, put F/T into his enclosure via long tongs, 5-10 seconds, smells and strikes, bang no probs.

Last 2 times though he has sensed food but misses his strikes and cant seem to see it/find it even if i do the zombie dance right in front of him, or if its left on top of his cave inches from his mouth, any advice?
thanks scott

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Originally Posted by scotty99

I am babysitting an 8 month old python (male) He's normally a great feeder, put F/T into his enclosure via long tongs, 5-10 seconds, smells and strikes, bang no probs.

Last 2 times though he has sensed food but misses his strikes and cant seem to see it/find it even if i do the zombie dance right in front of him, or if its left on top of his cave inches from his mouth, any advice?
thanks scott

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he cant "see" it, meaning: make your prey item warmer and try again. if it cools off too much they can smell it, but they cant find it to strike it.

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Originally Posted by scotty99

I am babysitting an 8 month old python (male) He's normally a great feeder, put F/T into his enclosure via long tongs, 5-10 seconds, smells and strikes, bang no probs.

Last 2 times though he has sensed food but misses his strikes and cant seem to see it/find it even if i do the zombie dance right in front of him, or if its left on top of his cave inches from his mouth, any advice?
thanks scott

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welcome to the world of BPs....sometimes they eat, and sometimes they dont...

could he be in shed? alot of times if they're in shed they refuse food. or just can't see it with their milky eyes! lol

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Originally Posted by clockwork

he cant "see" it, meaning: make your prey item warmer and try again. if it cools off too much they can smell it, but they cant find it to strike it.

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I agree, warm it up!

Thanks for the advice. Tried again last night and he went for it, he acted strangely though and came right up to the top of enclosure in the S position which he has never done, even though the food was below him.
had to wiggle it really fast before he cottened on to it.(unlike the 8 month corn im babysitting as well,anything remotely rodent and its gone, hes a pig!) BP has not shed while i have had him. no sign of milky eyes. Yes the Bp's are quite moody from my limited experience....fun and games to follow i think!!!!

cheers scott

Warm it up. Furio loses interest sometimes too if it cools down a little. A minute under the heat lamp and BAM! Happy Snakey :)

You mention he hasn't shed since you got him. How long have you had him?

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Originally Posted by scotty99

Thanks for the advice. Tried again last night and he went for it, he acted strangely though and came right up to the top of enclosure in the S position which he has never done, even though the food was below him.

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Still looks like your food wasn't warm enough and that's why he came all the way up - your hand was warmer than the mouse/rat.
I get mine over 100F when I get ready to feed and have no trouble.

Ahh that explains him coming right up, will get it warmer in future

re- Schlyne- Had him since march 15th this year. I was told to feed him fuzzys from their owner, but have got to know the people at my local reptile shop and they told me he should be on bigger size, so i have been underfeeding which probably explains why he hasnt shed yet?

have got the kevin mcCurley book - complete ball python, so reading up now!

ps- looks like the owner isnt coming back, gone AWOL, so looks like they may be here longer than first thought!!!!

thanks for the advice!