No interest in feeding

So it's been exactly a week and I tried to feed my-month-old today. He's sitting in the corner and although he stuck his tongue out a couple times when I introduced the thawed mouse, he didn't move towards it or show any other interest. It was probably around 90° when I showed it to him, how long should I leave it in there?

Since he didn't eat can I handle him or should I wait?

Here's what he's doing

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/19/e4y7uzeh.jpg

I would leave it in there overnight. Some will eat that way and some won't - it's just learning new additions' feeding habits.

What was he eating previous to getting him (live or f/t?)

Edit: I wouldn't handle until the snake has fed three times successfully.

No his last feed was a live hopper on the 2nd from his breeder

Maybe leave him alone and stop taking pictures with the flash on??? Ok, I'm just kidding around...but seriously...
When I first fed my baby I would drop the f/t rat in and cover the top and one open side with a towel, turn off the lights in the room and leave. Any disturbance and she would take FOREVER...or not eat at all. If I followed this method exactly...it would be gone in 30 min. Now she has gotten used to the routine and once I turn the hairdryer on (my preferred method of heating) she is out of the hide and searching! I can barely open the lid and she strikes and takes it! As she coils I still cover the tank and leave. Just to make sure she doesn't get spooked.
I know, it's way diff than a corn. We feed our corn in a separate feeding tub and the whole family totally stands around and watches her. She doesn't give a flip.
Not Princess Sunny though...everything must be just so...

Are there hides at both ends in there? I can't tell by the picture. If not your baby might not feel secure. It's a big, open clear tank and a little baby snake. If it's really big, you might even want to put some ground cover, like more fake plants.

It could also take your baby longer than a week to settle in, OR some snakes just aren't interested in f/t. A lot of things could be going on here. Did you tried to re-animate the mouse? When I fed my instructor's snakes a few years ago, the ones that ate f/t I was taught to hold the tail with tongs and "wiggle" the feeder some to give it the appearance of movement. The snakes showed a lot more interest afterwards, as opposed to just heated alone,

I usually start off feeding baby BPs whatever the breeder was feeding. (if available, I don't have access to live rats smaller than a small adult) After they are eating routinely, they are easier to get to switch.

I think there are several possible causes for the meal refusal.
1) As others mentioned, you may need to clutter up that enclosure to make the snake feel more secure. Also, no handling until it is eating for you, and make sure your temps are correct.
2) 90F may not be hot enough, normal body temperature for rats/mice is more like 99F.
3) You are taking a snake that may still be stressed from the change in environment and trying to switch from live prey to f/t. You may have better luck getting it to eat for you by feeding it what it is used to, and then making the switch after a few meals.

Ok so When should I try a live, and should I stick with hopper size?
I do have two hides in but he has yet to go in them... Which is probably a factor

Feed what the breeder was feeding for the first few meals. Also, how big are the hides with respect to your snake? If the hides are too big they won't provide enough security for him.

I resized them several times trying to help, I also got 8 inch saucers that aren't as tall but I think they're too big for him at the moment. I will post a picture of the tank with the hides later for your opinions

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/20/4egasuza.jpg

The enclosure is very big for a BP that size, so are it's hides, hides provide more security if they are snug and the animal barely fits in them, not to mention that your temps and humidity ready are probably off since you are using dial gauges.

Security with an animal that size is the single most important thing, if it does not feel secure it will not eat.

At that size here is what I would do

I would have him in a 6 quarts tub, with aspen bedding and one plastic flower pot saucer for hide, I provide temps no higher then 86/88 on the warm side, wait a week and offer a live hopper.

In the meantime no handling, no messing around.

Once he eats consistently for you at least 3 to 5 feeding you can start handling shortly.

What size flowerpot saucer? I was thinking of having him on cypress mulch because humidity is tough where I live, would that be an option?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blitzjg

What size flowerpot saucer? I was thinking of having him on cypress mulch because humidity is tough where I live, would that be an option?

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6 inches.

The reason I recommend aspen for now is to allow your BP to burrow, it provides additional security which is much needed at this point.

Is mulch hard for them to burrow? I have aspen so ill set that up tonight

I got him a 6 quart tub, filled it with about an inch of Aspen, I put five small holes in it two on one end and three on the other of the top and I was thinking I would house him in the glass enclosure inside the tub for added security since The tub is somewhat transparent.

Is that an okay amount of holes for airflow while I get the tank to the right conditions?

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/20/ydy7uvaq.jpg

I put leftover black foam board in front for added security