Are they all picky eaters?

I really don’t think my snakes know what a winter is here in Houston Texas, it’s summer all year long with a slightly cool day or two. Lol

welp...the last 2x I fed him he didn't strike. Looked very interested but just wouldn't bite. I just put the rat down in his tub and when I go back it's gone, so he's still never missed a meal, but he's definitely acting way outta character.

after the first time this happened I decided to give him 10 days in between feeding, but sure enough, he did the exact same thing when I feed him again.

I'm not sure if a hunger strike is coming or what? He's now 16 months and 1280 grams (right before a poop). Wondering if I should stay at 10 days or even drop back to 1x every 2 weeks. Currently feeding Small Rats

It sounds to me like he's getting "enough" to eat (& by that I mean probably too much), & I'd take the cue and slow down (space meals farther apart &/or feed smaller).

Also, many snakes do learn that their food is always dead & that they don't have to do battle with it so they can just eat it without the struggle. That's why it's dangerous
to switch a snake from eating f/t to eating live...their defenses will be down & they'll get injured) Some snakes never eat passively though, while most are "in-between"-
meaning they forcefully grab prey from tongs but stop short of a full constriction. Some snakes catch on to f/t so well they'll even eat calmly from your fingers, but I'm just bragging about my young rat snakes, lol. You'll be sorry if you try that with most snakes. ;)

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Originally Posted by Andiamo

I'm a newbie. Only had my BP 6 months now. He eats like a champ. He's really food aggressive, and has never missed a meal (of course, he's only 7 months old). He ate on Sunday night, and on Wednesday night made a mess so I decided to clean his tub. Before putting him back I held him for a short while, where he proceeded to cuddle up against my arm and start eating my wrist. He didn't strike...just started eating. I hadn't handled any feeders or my geckos, I actually just washed my hands. It was surprising because he never takes mice like that...he has to strike and wrap them....

I was wondering if maybe since he ate 3 days ago he was still kinda in "feed mode"? Or if maybe there are some BPs that just aren't picky eats and will take pretty much whatever you give them? I have no doubt he will switch to rats with ease....which is coming in 3 weeks...but I'm assuming this will all change when he hits maturity, correct? Or is it possible he just keeps on keeping on?

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Many of my best eaters over the years have been Royals !!


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the small rats I give him are between 40-69 grams (at least according to Layne Labs). That said, I have been feeding on a 7 day schedule.

I would agree that he's definitely slowing down...I'm just wondering if I should stay at 10 days or fall back to 2 weeks. He used to be the most aggressive eater, so it's very surprising to me that he's still eating, just not striking. Prior to these, he would absolutely slam the rats.

I guess he was slowing down because for the first time ever he turned down a meal...and this was after waiting a full 2 weeks.

I waited another 2 weeks and fed him last night and he took the rat pretty quickly.

I guess I'll just stick with a 1x per 2 week schedule and monitor his weight moving forward.