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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Ah.. alright. I know she needs to eat really soon. I promise I'm doing the best that I can. I've not had her yet for a month. I can buy a size smaller rat.. ill post more pictures of her

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Please understand, I'm not saying it's your fault that she's thin...believe me, she didn't get this way in a month or two.

Please DO NOT post more pics of her at this time...it's not needed, & if you expect her to eat tonight, she should not be handled now at all. Think of her as being in ICU...stick to essentials.

OH NONO I didn't handle her. These were pictures I already had

You said I needed smaller prey.. could I cut the rat at about 3/4ths?

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

You said I needed smaller prey.. could I cut the rat at about 3/4ths?

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BP's eat whole prey items. Please do not cut the rat.

If the rat is about the girth or less of your BP AND temps are good, you should be okay. If not, get smaller rats, yes.

Follow the defrosting directions and warming directions I gave and Bogertophis gave.

Feed at night with the lights dimmed.

On the pics - how long ago where those pics taken versus the one you showed with Sas's tail coming out the hide?

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Originally Posted by dakski

BP's eat whole prey items. Please do not cut the rat.

If the rat is about the girth or less of your BP AND temps are good, you should be okay. If not, get smaller rats, yes.

Follow the defrosting directions and warming directions I gave and Bogertophis gave.

Feed at night with the lights dimmed.

On the pics - how long ago where those pics taken versus the one you showed with Sas's tail coming out the hide?

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The tail coming out of the hide was a few days ago I believe. The pictures I just showed you were probably from 2 weeks ago.. I had to adjust her cage so I took her out to do it properly. I've had her maybe for 3 weeks?

Scratch the time- I've had her for almost a month. Probably about. A half week away from it.

She just got out of shed too.. as in she's slating it all off now.

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

She just got out of shed too.. as in she's slating it all off now.

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How's the shed? One piece? Pieces?

Do not offer food until she's completely done shedding - as in all the shed is off.

She probably will not eat and it will just stress her out more.

If you are unsure if she's completely shed, and you have to check, do not offer food for a couple days after. Disturbing her to check will make her less likely to eat. In other words, if you check on her today and she's completely shed, don't offer food until Friday. If you can see it's all off and you do not have to take her out or lift her hide, etc. to do that. Offering tonight or tomorrow should be okay.

You really need her eating and ASAP. I agree with Bogertophis. She looked very thin in the most recent picture.

Yes she is very thin.. I feel like whatever I do stresses her out, And she won't eat. It must be something I'm doing. But I'll do as you say and wait untill she completely finishes. If she refuses this next time to be honest I'm not sure what to do.. I'll have to take her to the vet. She has to eat and soon. I promise I'm doing everything I can

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The first bit was in pieces, but ill check again when I'm home

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Yes she is very thin.. I feel like whatever I do stresses her out, And she won't eat. It must be something I'm doing. But I'll do as you say and wait untill she completely finishes. If she refuses this next time to be honest I'm not sure what to do.. I'll have to take her to the vet. She has to eat and soon. I promise I'm doing everything I can

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The first bit was in pieces, but ill check again when I'm home

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Blueorleans1290,

As Bogertophis said, no one is blaming you. It's quite possibly not something you are doing wrong at all. BP's take time to adjust, she was eating live, etc.

Take a deep breathe.

My 8 year old BP and my 3 year Carpet Python, both of whom are great eaters, always refuse in shed. Many snakes do.

I am encouraging you to let her shed completely so that you have a higher likelihood of success with feeding.

I know it's hard sometimes to take the less is more approach. However, in this case, I think it's appropriate.

I agree that if you follow the defrosting and offering techniques to a "T" and she still doesn't eat, you should consider a vet visit. However, that is also stressful for all involved, so let's cross that bridge when we get to it.

We know you want what's best for her and are trying to help.

Thank you so much. I will definitely try and take a breath. Sometimes its hard to relate to an animal that may eat once in several weeks lol. I will follow everything to a T and will probably try soon. I will keep everyone posted.

I just want to drop my 2 cents worth in, and none of this is me taking shots at you, I promise I have good intentions. I think Bogertophis, Dakski, as well as several others, have given you some fantastic advice. I agree with them she looks very very thin in the photo you posted with her tail coming out of the hide. As everyone else as said, the #1 priority is getting her to take something. At 6 months my male BP was eating rat pups , but your girl is way to thin for that, so I would work with whatever she was eating when you got her. If she won't take F/T, maybe see if she'll take a live prey item. You can always transition her later, but the priority is to get her eating. I don't remember seeing this and I apologize if I missed it, but where did you get her from again? Is it possible to contact the shop/breeder/friend to discuss how she was eating prior to get you getting her? I agree with Bogertophis again in that, I don't think she got to that size in the few weeks she's been with you and in all seriousness, this may be an issue that has next to nothing to do with you.

All of that being said, if you don't fix the issues that contribute to the problem, you're not going to fix the problem. There are some husbandry issues that need to be addressed for long term success, but I don't want to overwhelm you and have you changing a bunch of things and stressing her out more. At a minimum though, as other's have mentioned, the hide situation needs to be fixed. She's going to stay where ever she feels secure, and if that's in a cool hide where she's gonna have some digestion issues, then that's where she's gonna stay. You need two hides, one on each end, and both need to be the same so she doesn't sacrifice warmth for security.

Like Dakski said, take a deep breath and try to relax. We're here to help and no one is laying the blame squarly at your feet.

I got her from a breeder. He said [and showed pictures] that she was eating live fuzzy rats. They look the same size as the ones I've been trying to feed her. She currently has 3 hides right now, one is just kind of. A wood arc to help if she wants to shed and have something to really rub up on, its on the cooler side, the one that she was in this morning when I left was about 84 to 86 degrees, she has a small little nook where she likes to stay. She was in the other one for a while yesterday. The Temps in that one is about 87-90 degrees.

I know you aren't trying to put the blame at my feet. And even though I try to take a deep breath. It still boils down to the fact that I love my lil bean. And I'm going to be stressed untill she eats.

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I've checked at so many places around me, and none of them sell live anymore.. I'm running out of options and out of places to call.

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

I know you aren't trying to put the blame at my feet. And even though I try to take a deep breath. It still boils down to the fact that I love my lil bean. And I'm going to be stressed untill she eats.

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I've checked at so many places around me, and none of them sell live anymore.. I'm running out of options and out of places to call.

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I agree with the additional advice you've been given since my most recent posts. If she isn't done shedding (& btw, I didn't know that until now, since you spoke of planning to feed her today) it's best to let her finish that, with your help if needed, like with a humid hide*. A "humid hide" is normally an optional-use hide in the enclosure, but *in THIS case, it might be best to restrain her in a ventilated temporary container with a damp towel for a while (an hour or 2), to help ensure this gets done. Keep the container reasonably warm too, so she's not too cold to actively complete her shed.

Shedding requires both good nutrition & good hydration from the snake's body to get it done & intact. The fact that she's having trouble is a symptom of her overall condition.

I'm curious about something: did you know when you bought her that local sources could not supply you with the live prey she requires?

And did the breeder know you couldn't get live feeders?

Have you asked to buy live prey from the person you got this snake from? I would, if I were you. Or ask about a possible return. I know that's hard to hear, but I'm just being realistic. This snake needs to be eating, & what if changing her to f/t right now doesn't work? I know that someone posted a while back something to the effect that "hunger always wins" but that's not quite true, especially with a young snake already in poor condition. When a snake (or any other creature, including a person) feels too poorly to eat, they may have no appetite, & without help, cannot recover. That (& also to administer medications) is the reason people have I.V.'s when in the hospital...that liquid nutrition helps them recover until their natural appetite & ability to eat returns.

There might be something else going on with this snake- but while a vet visit might help, it could actually make things worse right now, because it would be very stressful for her- and since I don't think that her current condition has much to do with anything you did, it seems unfair that you get stuck with what could be an expensive vet bill now too. Vets aren't typically helpful with husbandry issues, nor do they have the time to review everything as we are doing here- they deal best with medical & surgical issues.

I have bred & sold some snakes in the past: they always went with a record showing the hatch or birth date, the feeding record & care instructions. I would never knowingly sell or give a snake to someone who could not obtain the required food- that's just not fair to the snake or to the new owner.

I actually did not know because the just stopped selling them about 2 months ago and I hadn't been in a while. He didn't know either. I did find somewhere and I will have a live fuzzy by the end of the night.

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I have asked to buy one. And he hasn't responded.. but thankfully I found a place even if it's an hour away lol..

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

You said I needed smaller prey.. could I cut the rat at about 3/4ths?

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No...don't do that, snakes have a hard time trying to swallow such things, it's likely to fail.

And I didn't exactly say that...I'm not seeing the size of your prey item next to the size of your snake, so it's hard to judge "from here" (online). ;)

What I meant was she should be on smaller prey than you might otherwise assume she'd eat. In other words, don't try to feed her something that's the same size as her mid-body- I doubt she can handle that right now- it would be best to feed her once a week on smaller & more digestible items (mice even, if available) IF she'll eat them for you, so she can replenish her skinny body. She will need to gradually build up to eating the size rodents recommended in the feeding chart.

Would the container be less stressful than a soak? I can definitely try it. If all her shed comes off when would you suggest I attempt to feed her? Hopefully soon because I don't want rat poop in my room lol.

I know that some pet stores will not let people buy mice or rats for feeding but you could check with the pet shops. I really hope you can find food for your scale baby and I wish you the best of luck and hope sasquatch gets better!

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Would the container be less stressful than a soak? I can definitely try it. If all her shed comes off when would you suggest I attempt to feed her? Hopefully soon because I don't want rat poop in my room lol.

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BPs feel safer in their hides- and a container with a damp towel in is pretty much a "hide". Whereas soaking usually involves a lack of traction for the snake, which is why they hate it so much. ;)
So in this instance, a container is preferable if you can manage that.

Most snakes (especially those not known for eating) won't eat immediately after a shed (also the handling this will involve). If you get a baby rat today, I can't promise she'll eat it right away, OR that the rat will last until she's willing. "Rat poop in your room"? Boo-hoo! ;)

Aha.. yeah.. woo hoo.. I was going to take care of the rats untill she decided to eat one.

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Aha.. yeah.. woo hoo.. I was going to take care of the rats untill she decided to eat one.

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Any rats small enough for her to eat are still nursing- not easy to maintain.

BPs are frustrating to change over (whether to f/t from live, or changing the type of rodent)- some will change easily, others only after many times & some never will, so your situation is unfortunate, especially considering your difficulty to obtain rodents.

Oh um.. I put. Alive hopper mouse in there [it was kinda small] and she struck and is currently getting ready to eat. She killed it.. did I do it wrong?? Wrong size??

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Oh um.. I put. Alive hopper mouse in there [it was kinda small] and she struck and is currently getting ready to eat. She killed it.. did I do it wrong?? Wrong size??

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A hopper mouse should be fine! :gj: (their eyes are open, so they can bite back, but usually they're not a big risk to your snake just yet- not the way adult mice are)

The fact that she killed it & is trying to eat it is very encouraging. :D

So did she ever finish her shed?

She ate it all the way! I think it was a good size because it just barely left a little lump that I can see but Sas looks so much happier!

She is almost completely done with her shed. She just was looking everywhere and had that 'hungry look to her.. I had a good feeling and thankfully I was right.. SO RELIEVED!

I just really really wanted to get that meal in her. Shedding is fixable, but I wouldn't want her to lose any more weight while I was waiting

I was going to keep her on live for a little while.. just untill I'm comfortable enough with her weight and size to try switching over. Is that alright?

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

I just really really wanted to get that meal in her. Shedding is fixable, but I wouldn't want her to lose any more weight while I was waiting

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I hear you & I'd have probably done the same thing. Good call. :gj: I'm so glad she's willing to eat something, even if it's mice & even if it's live for now. Wish you lived nearby...I have too many!

Haha, I was nervous she'd think the mouse was nasty. But I'm so glad that it worked out. Lol you're too sweet!

Well I think mice are "nasty" but I'm not a :snake: LOL

Right? I was telling it "if you hurt my snake I will hurt you myself" :bow:

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

I was going to keep her on live for a little while.. just untill I'm comfortable enough with her weight and size to try switching over. Is that alright?

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I’m super happy that she ate for you. You can always work on moving her to F/T later, and you’ll want to switch to rats eventually but for now getting something in her was more important than the what.


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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Right? I was telling it "if you hurt my snake I will hurt you myself" :bow:

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Well, I can't blame any creature for objecting to being dinner...that's not what I meant by "nasty", btw- I just don't find their smell to be appetizing. But happily for humans, snakes like 'em. :snake2:

But any time I've had to feed live, I am right there with my tongs if anything should "go wrong". Sometimes a snake just doesn't get the right grip- & even if they ultimately win the battle, the rodent manages to turn just enough to bite the snake too, so it's not without risks. But I can assure you that I'd do the same thing with this snake for the time being if I were in "your shoes"- keep feeding her for a while & then see if she'll accept a f/t (rat or mouse).

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

I was going to keep her on live for a little while.. just untill I'm comfortable enough with her weight and size to try switching over. Is that alright?

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I defiantly think that's your best bet until you both are comfy. so glad she ate! I know it can be a real relief! I know from experience :rolleyes: ;)

So glad she ate for you!

Very pleased she ate for you!

Let her be - completely - no touching, bothering, handling, etc. for 2-3 days. Then we will help you with the shed.

Very important that you let her digest.

Super happy! Yay Sas!

I trust she's keeping her meal down today, & you're just observing from afar? :snake:

You are correct! Hehe her personality is shining through so much right now! She got out of her hide at about 10 last night and did this adorable little 'cobra' thing where she almost stood up. And she just looked around like that. She slithered around for a while and she is using the humid part of her cage right now underneath a log [on the cooler side] I suppose to help with her shedding! She got so brave since she ate lol. She uses all hides equally. Even though they aren't the same [still working on this.]

I don't know if it's "bravery" so much as just having the energy to move around more, but this is a very good sign & she'll very likely be ready to eat again in a week or a bit beyond that, so plan for that. She needs lots of rest & food for a while now, or what I call "TLC". (that's "tender loving care" fyi- but not handling other than if she needs help with her shed after another day or two, just to be on the safe side so she doesn't regurge. We want her growing up good & strong, right? :snake:

Right! I fully plan on giving some TLC. But loving from a distance untill I don't need to. I'm so excited that she is doing better!

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

You are correct! Hehe her personality is shining through so much right now! She got out of her hide at about 10 last night and did this adorable little 'cobra' thing where she almost stood up. And she just looked around like that. She slithered around for a while and she is using the humid part of her cage right now underneath a log [on the cooler side] I suppose to help with her shedding! She got so brave since she ate lol. She uses all hides equally. Even though they aren't the same [still working on this.]

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They don’t like brightly lit rooms incidentally.. what’s the room like ??

I’ve got 7 Royals in a fairly dimly lit room and they’re all out climbing in the evenings.. that said if I put the BIG light on for some reason they will all have disappeared out of sight within 30 seconds


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I pretty much always turn my light off. I only have it on at morning when I'm getting ready for school

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Oh no.. I'm going to have to buy another that I'm not attached to. Oops. Why is this one so dang cute

Good luck with that...pretty much all rat pups are cute, IMO. I had pet rats long before I ever got into snakes, & raised a whole family of them. But I doubt you can raise that one to be healthy from this stage, so it might be kinder to get "un-attached". Not only that, but having a pet rat that your snake will smell on you may get you bitten. ;)

As far as your snake not liking lights, mostly that's just directly overhead. Don't worry about your normal room lighting, day or night. But any lights used on their cage should be dim though, & preferably red or black bulbs. BPs are basically nocturnal snakes- they don't want to be under a bright "basking" light the way many lizards are kept.

I know, the only sad part is that now I know how to because the breeder who bred those too gave me advice and told me how to raise it RIP

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

I know, the only sad part is that now I know how to because the breeder who bred those too gave me advice and told me how to raise it RIP

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Mice are cute too, at least the fancy colorful ones I raise are...but they don't make great pets, fortunately. Rats do make good pets, but if you're going to keep snakes that eat them, you'll have to find a way to accept that. I love animals, but I'm not a vegetarian or vegan. There are many things I'd never consume, & I do insist on humane sources for what I do consume.

It was hard for me at first, the first time I had to kill a mouse: I had gotten a fuzzy for the snake someone gave me...my very first snake. But it wouldn't eat the fuzzy...:( Meanwhile, because it was so hard to get the right size from local pet stores for this snake, I had also bought a pair of mice to breed. They were absolutely useless in terms of breeding, as it turned out- no idea why? They were generic albino mice (something I've steered clear of ever since, assuming they're very inbred). Anyway, I naively thought these mice might at least take care of this rejected fuzzy for the time being- but as soon as I put the fuzzy in with them, they savagely attacked it! So it fell to me to put it out of it's misery- that was many years ago, I've gotten a lot tougher since then. I'll never enjoy euthanizing mice, but I'm capable...same for rats. It's like being a farmer or rancher, I guess. You don't get too chummy with "dinner". ;)

That's very true. Sadly I know I can do it, she will be gone next week lol.

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

That's very true. Sadly I know I can do it, she will be gone next week lol.

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Sas will thank you. That's what I focus on, the best food to make my snakes the healthiest they can be. Snake-keeping forces us to "take sides".

Update! She is doing great and gaining weight, I'd say she's back to how she should be! She is growing, and I now have her on F/T fuzzy rats! She is doing great!

Very happy to hear it. Not likely she is all the way back though...a snake can be full of food & appear more robust than they really are. And quite a few "inflate"

somewhat when they're stressed, so that makes them look better too. It takes a while- not just a couple weeks- for them to regain weight that's not just food,

water or air. But a snake that's eating is the best start there is, & it's great she likes fuzzy rats. :gj: Keep it going! :snake: