Ball Python Won't Eat Unless I Feed Him But I can't Live With Him Right Now... Help?

Hi I joined this forum specifically to ask this question since I couldn't find any info online... So sorry if I make mistakes on here or use it incorrectly... I'm new :^P

Onto my problem... I have a male ball python. I've had him for a little over 2 years and he's only refused to eat 2 or 3 times ever and always ate the next week. I feed him small frozen rats currently since those are he best size for him. He's never encountered a live rat or mouse and is content with frozen. He eats once a week or sometimes a week plus a few days. Last month I went to a camp for 2 weeks. He ate when I fed him before I left but when my parents tried to feed him he refused. They tried multiple times. When I got home I tried to feed him and he immediately ate. He 2 weeks in a row for me... But I'm not in the house anymore. I'm going to school and I'm in a dorm where I can't keep him. My parents are taking care of him. They know his care routine and everything. But I've been gone for 3 weeks and he's been refusing to eat again. I've never heard of a situation like this before. I've always heard snake's don't have the capacity for emotions beyond really just fear. Is there any way he's upset because I'm not the one feeding him? Is it a coincidence? I don't want him to starve. I know they can fast for a long time but he's never fasted for more than a week for me. He hasn't lost weight yet but if he keeps going like this... I'm worried about him. Does anyone have any advice? I'm going to be gone for 2 years. I'll be back on breaks and probably about once a month. I haven't visited home yet so I'll have to test it when I get to visit.

As for more info about him... I don't have much info about his background because he's a pet store snake (I'm sorry I know it's bad.) He's probably between 2 and 3 years old. He has a nice large tank (sorry don't know exact dimensions) and his set up is pretty nice. He has a warm side and a cold side with an identical hide on each. The cold side is also the wetter side with a cool mist humidifier sometimes turned on and a water bowl. His substrate is coconut fiber and he has a strange obsession with trying to dig tunnels so I have it decently built up (for some reason he isn't satisfies with only having one exit in his hides.) He has an uth as well as lights on the hot side (His tank actually is supposed to be a fish tank. it has good ground space it's very deep so I use the light to keep it warm enough throughout all the air) On the inside bottom of the tank under the substrate there's a terrarium liner so that if he burrows he won't touch the glass and burn. He has a few fake plants because he likes to climb as well as a safe piece of driftwood in the center of his tank. Nothing has been changed recently. He's been healthy the whole time I've had him. He's never had any sickness or mites or anything and he's always eaten well.

Thank you for your help! If you need any more info about him please ask! I really need advice

Are you sure that your parents are heating the rat correctly? It's possible they aren't making it warm enough. The rat should be at about 100 F. Also, is your UTH regulated by a thermostat? (not to be confused with a thermometer)

My parents are heating it correctly. They make sure it's all the way thawed and warm. My dad even watched me last time to make sure he can feed him exactly how I do. Also I know it's awful but I don't have a thermostat. My parents think it's a waste of money. I do have a terrarium liner across the entire bottom of the tank. I've tested it and he wouldn't be able to burn himself. I monitor the tank temperature closely with multiple thermometers. I know I should have a thermostat but I'm just a teen without a job so technically my parents are the only ones who can control that. When I'm able to take him back and move somewhere on my own I plan on getting him a better system.

A thermostat is literally one of the most important pieces of equipment for a ball python- it's absolutely not a waste of money! You can get this one for only $24:

https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contro...art+thermostat

For now to be safe, I would unplug the UTH until you get a thermostat. Can your parents or friends loan you a bit of money for the thermostat? Also a temp gun will give you much more accurate readings than a thermometer. How's your humidity?


Could you post a pic of your setup? That might be able to help us identify if there's other husbandry problems. Usually when a ball python won't eat it is due to husbandry issues. Maybe there isn't enough clutter and your snake feels too exposed?

When you come home on break I would transition. Be in the room when feeding but have your parents actually do the feeding. Then get farther away each time. Then you can see how they are doing it and your snake learns to eat from other people.

You're taking a gamble keeping him without a thermostat. So far you've been lucky and getting all the high luck dice rolls but that doesn't mean your snake is safe. He will get burned, despite you being convinced you've tested and closely monitored, it's just a matter of when and worse, when you're not around. Show your parents what a burned snake looks like, and it's not impossible for a unregulated uth to melt through.


As for not eating, in addition to the questions already asked, have your parents been handling him? That could be another reason why he's refusing.

I don't know how to effectively reply to posts on here I'm not used to the site but.

@Kira - I know how important a thermostat is... I'm not a very experienced owner (this is my first snake) but I tried to become very educated before I got him. I'll try again to convince my parents to get one. They might since he's now not eating. Thanks for the link to a cheap one! I'm not going to lie, the humidity is probably kind of low. It's hard to keep his tank humid because it'v very deep + I have the lights. I do have a cool mist humidifier but it's not always on because it sometimes creates mold. I know it's not the most ideal set up. If it helps explain the situation I'm a high school student and I'm going to what's pretty much a boarding school for the next 2 years. I plan on getting him a whole new setup when I get my own place and a job. I want to get him a new tank and better heating system.
I can't get a pic of his set up because I'm away from home. I know usually a feeding problem has to do with husbandry but I can't notice anything that's changed other than me being gone. As for his setup I think he should feel secure enough. His hides are a little large for him but they're completely dark, solid domes with one opening. He also has the plants and stick in there. Between all that and the large water bowl there really isn't much open space except vertically.

@Sunnieskys - Thank you! I plan on trying that to see how he reacts. I'm going home in a week.

@MissterDog - As I've stated above the lack of a thermostat is really not my choice. I'm not really convinced that it's safe right now. Really the reason I've put a liner on top of the glass and tested it is because I'm very worried about it. He started burrowing a little within the last year and I freaked out and rearranged his whole tank to try to make it safer. I can't afford to get a better setup at the moment but I am working toward it. I don't want to seem irresponsible I really have done my research and I probably wouldn't have been as willing to get him in the first place if I knew I couldn't have a thermostat and ideal tank but my parents got me everything as a present one year. I know the risks and that's why I'm always worried. I plan on getting a better setup as soon as I can. There's no way I can get a better tank right now but I'm trying to get my parents to buy a thermostat. Right now I've made the tank as safe as I possibly can with what I have. I'm genuinely thankful for the concern, though.
Also I'm not actually sure if my parents have been handling him. I know they've been taking him out but I haven't checked to see if they're taking him out too close to feeding time. Thank you!

By lights do you mean heat lamps? How big is your enclosure? It probably only needs one lamp, a ceramic heat emitter (CHE). Ball pythons don't need actual light bulbs, bright lights can actually bother them. CHEs only emit heat and not light. What kind of substrate are you using? Reptibark and cocohusk help to hold humidity. It's important to have accurate humidity for the health of your snake and so it can shed properly. Well low humidity + no thermostat might be stressing him out. Over handling can also stress ball pythons out. I don't hold my ball python for 48 hours before and after meals.

After fixing these things I really think that your snake will start eating again. Just keep working on improving your husbandry and don't be afraid to ask questions if you have any doubts.

Is there a particular reason your parents are so opposed to getting a thermostat? Is it because they had a specific budget in mind for your ball python or because they don't believe you when you say a thermostat is important?

If it helps you could point out getting a thermostat will be cheaper than potential vet bills.

Have you shared your research with your parents are have they been pretty hands off? Either way good luck on convincing your parents! Maybe if they consider it as an early present for (insert upcoming occasion) they'd be okay with it?


Good luck!

What age did you get the snake at? Are you the only human it's interacted with since a very young age?

I suggest spending time with your parents and the snake at the same time. Having him rest on you for 10 mins, then on one of them for 10, then you, then the other of them, then you, then tank.
Your snake knows your scent specifically. They will react to your pheromones and the chemicals you put out when it's around. While you're with your parents and the snake make sure that you keep yourself in a mind over matter calm or you may spook him. Even the simplest emotions we have can be portrayed in those clouds we put out.

I'm really into snake therapy, and a lot of people might not get it, but... If you're interested I have some ideas (theories really, since we don't know exactly what goes on in their heads).
One way I have helped a snake bond with a human (if only for trust) is actually vocal training by singing to them. Snakes "hear" through vibrations in their skull and skin. Some people who are nervous would probably prefer to hum. During your 10 mins of personal time with each of you, while holding the snake (preferably around your neck unless you're not comfortable), hum or sing a gentle song or your favorite nursery rhyme. The snake might not understand the language, but they are rather smart and do notice patterns, Which music follows. I've noticed that snakes that learn their humans vocal chord vibrations adapt to being calmer around them rather quickly, because nothing else it interacts with does this strange thing.

It's harder to work on this now that you're already out of the house. I think that's why we're all kinda grasping at straws for advice.

Another idea... is if he has bonded to you and your scent and it's their scent that is throwing him off of eating because of lack of trust, the possibility of one of them wearing a shirt of yours with your smell on it while feeding him might help. Maybe a hoodie or something that doesn't get washed every time.

I wish you luck. :) if you'd like any more ideas feel free to ask.

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Originally Posted by donnadudette2003

What age did you get the snake at? Are you the only human it's interacted with since a very young age?

I suggest spending time with your parents and the snake at the same time. Having him rest on you for 10 mins, then on one of them for 10, then you, then the other of them, then you, then tank.
Your snake knows your scent specifically. They will react to your pheromones and the chemicals you put out when it's around. While you're with your parents and the snake make sure that you keep yourself in a mind over matter calm or you may spook him. Even the simplest emotions we have can be portrayed in those clouds we put out.

I'm really into snake therapy, and a lot of people might not get it, but... If you're interested I have some ideas (theories really, since we don't know exactly what goes on in their heads).
One way I have helped a snake bond with a human (if only for trust) is actually vocal training by singing to them. Snakes "hear" through vibrations in their skull and skin. Some people who are nervous would probably prefer to hum. During your 10 mins of personal time with each of you, while holding the snake (preferably around your neck unless you're not comfortable), hum or sing a gentle song or your favorite nursery rhyme. The snake might not understand the language, but they are rather smart and do notice patterns, Which music follows. I've noticed that snakes that learn their humans vocal chord vibrations adapt to being calmer around them rather quickly, because nothing else it interacts with does this strange thing.

It's harder to work on this now that you're already out of the house. I think that's why we're all kinda grasping at straws for advice.

Another idea... is if he has bonded to you and your scent and it's their scent that is throwing him off of eating because of lack of trust, the possibility of one of them wearing a shirt of yours with your smell on it while feeding him might help. Maybe a hoodie or something that doesn't get washed every time.

I wish you luck. :) if you'd like any more ideas feel free to ask.

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I think OP would be better focusing on enforcing their basic husbandry first before introducing new bonding theories to the family? I think the key problem at hand is their snake is not eating while in their parent's care. If husbandry is off and there is possible over handling with other stress factors in op's absence, I don't think it really matters how well their ball python has "bonded" with anyone. Be it now or in the future.

I know I know. Put the village crazy lady back in her box, who let her out?
Why not both?
*I'm definitely not saying don't try to fix the husbandry.

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Originally Posted by donnadudette2003

I know I know. Put the village crazy lady back in her box, who let her out?
Why not both?

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The issue is most likely with husbandry, not with bonding so we are just trying to refocus the topic back on OP's questions.

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Originally Posted by donnadudette2003

I know I know. Put the village crazy lady back in her box, who let her out?
Why not both?
*I'm definitely not saying don't try to fix the husbandry.

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I'm sorry you feel that way. My response was aimed to help keep things on topic for OP with what is relavent. Figured it would help make things less confusing is all :)

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

I'm sorry you feel that way. My response was aimed to help keeps things on topic for OP with what is relavent. Figured it would help keep things less confusing is all :)

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I think having the snake calm around the parents is relevant. If in the end the tank hasn't changed, the only thing that has is the human interacting with the snake.

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Originally Posted by donnadudette2003

I think having the snake calm around the parents is relevant. If in the end the tank hasn't changed, the only thing that has is the human interacting with the snake.

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I don't completely disagree with human interaction having a play with this, in fact I've even included it as a possible problem/solution. I'm just concerned that, since OP needs to fix the basics of their husbandry and their parent's participation with understanding it, it's probably best not to focus on bonding yet. Your suggested methods to calm their bp may or may not contribute to doing the opposite, depending how handsy their parents are or how they perceive what a calm snake is, so op may need to be mindful about that.

I just think it's better we don't over complicate things for op yet.

Its very important not to equate bonding and a rapport with who's feeding the animal. That is all basically a form of anthropomorphic behaviors not established in reptiles however controversial. The real issues here are correcting the husbandry (unregulated heat source and ineffective humidity percentages) just for starters. We have to remember these are captive animals with wild instincts who need their basic environmental needs met first and foremost. So let's start to correct that.

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Originally Posted by donnadudette2003

I think having the snake calm around the parents is relevant. If in the end the tank hasn't changed, the only thing that has is the human interacting with the snake.

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Just sit back and let the co-owners of the snake rule.

Thank you all for your help and advice! This got a lot of comments over night so I'm just going to reply generally to some of the things that were said

@Kira - He does have heat lamps, yes. I know they don't need light but it keeps the air temperature warm enough. There's a white light and a red light and the lights are switched every 12 hours so the red light is on at night so that nights is slightly cooler for him. The substrate is coconut fiber but even when thoroughly misted and with a humidifier the humidity seems to usually be a little low. When he starts to show signs of shedding we crank the humidity up, though. I'm going to check with my parents to see how much they're handling him, too. They might be holding him too much before or after trying to feed him.

@MissterDog - My parents don't see the thermostat as vital. Overall my parents have participated in my care of him over the last few years but they definitely don't understand as much as I do. It's an unfortunate situation because I have little control as well as the fact that I didn't plan to leave for school until a few months ago.

@donnadudette2003 - When I got the snake it was probably a few months old. I don't know the exact age since it came from a chain pet store but it was pretty young. I'm not the only he's interacted with. My parents actually enjoy taking him out just to lounge on the couch or whatever. But I am the only one who feeds him. He's fine around even strangers but he never grew out of his shy baby stage. It's never been a problem so I've never pushed him. He's never tried to strike at someone but he is incredibly shy. He comes out of his ball but he is very shy about anything being near his head so when people are holding him he often gets spooked and jumps back. I think maybe since I'm the one who always feeds him he trusts me and associates me with being fed. It's hard to tell how far snake psychology goes but I think he knows that I'm gone and might be a little upset that his main caretaker isn't the one taking care of him anymore.

@Albert Clark - I know that correcting the husbandry should be my top priority. Thank you very much.




Thank you everyone for your help and advice! I know that I need to get a thermostat for my baby. I'll also try to help him get used to being fed by my parents

Perhaps pointing your parents the way of a few care sheets will help them understand both how to better care for your ball python in your absence AND how important a thermostat is to not only the safety of the snake, but the safety of the home. They may be surprised to hear an unregulated thermostat can be a fire hazard; they HAVE caused fires before from improper use. See http://arachnoboards.com/threads/zoo...a-fire.295434/

Though that is an extreme example, there are far more numerous reports of unregulated UTH's burning holes in themselves, cracking the glass of vivariums, sparking, and overheating animals/causing burns. A ~30ish dollar investment for a cheap rheostat (like the one linked in an above post) could save you (and your parents) a good bit of grief in the future.

Just a thought on how to convince them on the thermostat :) I hope your ball starts eating for you again. Perhaps moving him to a tub set up would help-- they're a lot easier to maintain proper husbandry in than a tank, and putting one together doesn't cost much, especially if you already have the UTH, thermostat, and thermometer.

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Just sit back and let the co-owners of the snake rule.

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Fixing husbandry issues is the main priority here. OP came here asking for advice and we found husbandry issues that need to be addressed. Not sure how telling someone that they need a thermostat and to adjust their humidity is trying to "co-own" someone's snake.

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Just sit back and let the co-owners of the snake rule.

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Curious what you mean when you say "co-owners" of the snake. I've seen you use that vocabulary on a couple different threads, generally in response to other members attempting to convey knowledge and advice to those owners (new or otherwise) that may benefit from it.

I think your perspective on our comments and the motives behind them needs some tweaking.

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Just sit back and let the co-owners of the snake rule.

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Not sure how a statement like that is productive in any way or helps OP, which was the entire point of this thread. I may disagree with donnadudette2003's perspective on the issue at hand but at least they contributed with the intention to help.

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Originally Posted by Trisnake

Curious what you mean when you say "co-owners" of the snake. I've seen you use that vocabulary on a couple different threads, generally in response to other members attempting to convey knowledge and advice to those owners (new or otherwise) that may benefit from it.

I think your perspective on our comments and the motives behind them needs some tweaking.

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Cuz you people should think about how y'all are answering some people. Its one thing to give advice. Its another to give it like your giving an order. You don't exactly own other peoples snakes too.

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Cuz you people should think about how y'all are answering some people. Its one thing to give advice. Its another to give it like your giving an order. You don't exactly own other peoples snakes too.

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If OP seemed to be benefiting from the advise given and thanking us for it, is it really an issue? As a fellow keeper I'm sure you know how vital having a thermostat is and why it's important to encourage others without one to gain access to one asap. OP even agrees with us and we are trying to work together to convince their parents how to work with them.

If anyone wants to have a say in how they are receiving advice it's OP, not you.

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Cuz you people should think about how y'all are answering some people. Its one thing to give advice. Its another to give it like your giving an order. You don't exactly own other peoples snakes too.

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We all know reading other people's post we all put different emotions to the words that may not be how the original poster meant. Let's just all step back, help each other, and get back to the original OP's concerns. We all love our animals, worry, and want what is best for them.

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Cuz you people should think about how y'all are answering some people. Its one thing to give advice. Its another to give it like your giving an order. You don't exactly own other peoples snakes too.

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Well it's entirely possible that you are misinterpreting what's being written and what is trying to be conveyed. The basic needs of ball pythons are correct temperatures and humidity if you ever expect it to eat and thrive on a continued regimen. We all mean well but have a vested interest in the animals well being , health and longevity. ;) No orders, just consideration suggestions.

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Cuz you people should think about how y'all are answering some people. Its one thing to give advice. Its another to give it like your giving an order. You don't exactly own other peoples snakes too.

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I agree with you in that some people can be pretty firm off the bat about some things, such as unregulated thermostats or other such HAZARDOUS situations, but it shouldn't take much to understand those comments are out of concern for the animal and intended to make sure the owner/poster understands that there is a potentially dangerous problem with how they are caring for their animals.

Nobody is trying to own other peoples snakes; most of us are plenty entertained owning and caring for our own. Perhaps understanding the difference between a malicious thrashing on someone's practices and a firmly written note of concern would benefit you in understanding our positions and intent. I understand sometimes emotions are hard to discern through a computer screen. But this site harbors a community of people who strive to help and educate each other, and as far as I've noticed the people you have been "defending" in these threads have actually been thankful for the advice.

Now that this thread is thoroughly derailed...

Following up on Trisnake's suggestion, OP is it possible your parents would be open to sitting down with you and going over the how's and why's of proper husbandry? It sounds like they might be willing to get a thermostat if they understood exactly why. Or rather, if they are willing to understand.

Explain how this is really important to you and you are taking the care of your pet very seriously and how it would mean a lot if they understood where you are coming from.

Maybe on your next visit you can give them some flash cards or care notes that explains the reason why they need to do what they are instructed to do?

Well, pretty much all that needed to be said, has been said :) By the good and caring BPnet members. You guys rule...

A little side note...
Perhaps we DO "co-own" the other snakes on these threads "in a way". We certainly care about them, and their owner, enough to take the time and effort to type out all we can think off that could help in the situation. Many times you end up typing the same things, over and over again.

At times it can get a bit of tiring (can't think of the actual word I want to use, I'm german, lol) to the more experienced keepers. Yet here they are...still typing out the same things again, still CARING, still helping. Some can sound sharper then others, but this is because most of us have seen the heart breaking pictures of snakes with their entire belly a crusty and infected burn. Or other problems and injuries due to husbandry errors. I look at it this way...if people didn't care, they wouldn't post. If they sound like they really want to impress the importance of certain issues, well, its because the issues ARE important and we wish the snake and their owner well.

So yes, all the great and caring people here, you all co-own my snakes ;) (no taking them home, though..LOL) I feel honored whenever someone takes the time to point something out to me or to help me. And when I had a overheating heat tape emergency, I took the criticism about what I could have done better as I should have. Humbly. Because everyone was absolutely right.

Being downright rude and condescending is never good, though. But I have to say, I have rarely seen this go on here. And it was by members that seem to have popped up and then disappeared again. And I have seen no rudeness or anything of that sort on this here thread, either.

To the OP. Do you think your parents would be interested in joining a thread ? We could help them "step by step" when they come across questions and issues. Most likely something in the routine is just a bit different enough to have spooked the snake. When worried, they usually don't eat. Most likely its a relatively easy fix.

The way a rodent is presented is important. The time of day is too. Perhaps making sure they present at night, leave the (dead) rodent by the hide and then LEAVE THE ROOM (or cover the cage) and completely leave the snake undisturbed might help. Not checking whether it ate, until next morning. Even if the rodent cools off before its eaten, many snakes do like to have it left and then to be undisturbed. Many will eat, even a couple hours later...

Good luck to you :)

Thank you for your advice, everyone! I came here for help so I'm glad even for the blunt comments. I appreciate advice from all of you!

I'm going to talk to my parents and get a thermostat and after that we'll work on the eating problem if he still isn't eating for them.

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Just sit back and let the co-owners of the snake rule.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SPIDERBALL

Cuz you people should think about how y'all are answering some people. Its one thing to give advice. Its another to give it like your giving an order. You don't exactly own other peoples snakes too.

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I gotta side with the others here. Nobody is claiming ownership or demanding that people take the advice. Questions are asked, advice and answers are offered. You seem to interpret things differently from most, and via text it is easy to understand.
Generally speaking, we are here to help BECAUSE WE CARE. You chiming in with what comes across as negativity (maybe I'm misinterpreting here, tough to tell) that is in no way relevant to the OP's question doesn't help anybody. It tends to take threads in different directions that aren't what the forum is here for.

I'm just gonna say this. We all know how important a thermostat is, we all know how important monitoring humidity is and I won't fault anyone for pointing that out to the OP however I think everyone is missing that this snake eats in its current set up, consistently, when the OP personally feeds it. So husbandry issues aside the key take away is what's different when the parents feed. So having said that I think as someone else mentioned already you need to monitor your parents during a feed attempt. Let them do it but watch to make sure they are doing what you always do. Then make sure they are not handling the snake too close to feeding or too close after. Beyond that not really sure as I never would have personally thought snakes would imprint on one human and not want to eat if they weren't present but hey we are not snakes so what do we know lol. At the end of the day they are animals. All we can do is provide the best environment possible for them to thrive which comes back to the husbandry. I recently had a snake that hadnt eaten since the end of Feb. Different prey, live F/T etc all a no go. Moved him from a tank to a tub still didn't eat. Yesterday threw a live mouse in there and he chowed right down. Sometimes you just have to wait for the animal to decide they want to i guess lol. Good luck with your snake and keep us posted.

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@donnadudette2003 - When I got the snake it was probably a few months old. I don't know the exact age since it came from a chain pet store but it was pretty young. I'm not the only he's interacted with. My parents actually enjoy taking him out just to lounge on the couch or whatever. But I am the only one who feeds him. He's fine around even strangers but he never grew out of his shy baby stage. It's never been a problem so I've never pushed him. He's never tried to strike at someone but he is incredibly shy. He comes out of his ball but he is very shy about anything being near his head so when people are holding him he often gets spooked and jumps back. I think maybe since I'm the one who always feeds him he trusts me and associates me with being fed. It's hard to tell how far snake psychology goes but I think he knows that I'm gone and might be a little upset that his main caretaker isn't the one taking care of him anymore.

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If he does have a previous relationship with them from before you left then he's probably just being a bit bratty about change. :) they don't like change much. Also, some balls are willing to stick it out and not eat until they are starving if they don't like that something has changed.

Did you have a handling schedule previously? Either case of too much or too little handling can be true. Since routine is important for snakes that are skittish, if you used to take him out twice a week and they're only interacting with him to feed him it might be an issue. Or the opposite, if you didn't have a schedule and now they take him out more often it might effect him.

With the husbandry, has nothing in his tank moved? Even the simplest thing as one perch being 6 inches to the left or a climbing stick out of place could be upsetting him.
The curious thing to me, is if it's heat/humidity/husbandry, why will he still eat when you come to visit and its specifically you feeding him?
Interesting case indeed.

I wish you luck on your quest of talking your parents into getting needed equipment.
I like the idea of them joining the forum for times they need help.

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@OTorresUSMC - Thank you for the advice! Hopefully he'll eat when I'm home next week. I know they can fast for months but I'm worried about him

@donnadudette2003 - Thanks! I never had a handling schedule for him so that could be a contributing factor. According to my mom nothing has changed in the tank. She said the only thing that's changed at all in that she took out and cleaned the water bowl and put it right back. I just hope he'll start eating again soon. It's only been a few weeks so I'm not super worried but it's still concerning. Thank you very much!

OP, when you feed, does the snake eat off tongs, or do you leave the prey in the enclosure and let the snake come out and grab it?

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

OP, when you feed, does the snake eat off tongs, or do you leave the prey in the enclosure and let the snake come out and grab it?

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I feed him by moving it around with the tongs. He seems to like the movement. I also do feed him in a separate bin from his tank. I know there's some mixed opinions about that but his substrate is coconut fiber and I don't want him to end up ingesting any of it

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Originally Posted by royalreilly

I feed him by moving it around with the tongs. He seems to like the movement. I also do feed him in a separate bin from his tank. I know there's some mixed opinions about that but his substrate is coconut fiber and I don't want him to end up ingesting any of it

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i highly recommend ceasing this method of feeding. snakes can digest bones, some coco fiber will have no affect on the snake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by royalreilly

I feed him by moving it around with the tongs. He seems to like the movement. I also do feed him in a separate bin from his tank. I know there's some mixed opinions about that but his substrate is coconut fiber and I don't want him to end up ingesting any of it

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I wonder, do you think it's worth having your parents feed him in his enclosure since they are having no luck? They may have better success with that since it won't involve moving him around and increasing his stress.

You can always ask your parents to place a paper towel or cardboard "plate" over the substrate if you are worried about substrate ingestion and making sure the feeder is dry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by royalreilly

I feed him by moving it around with the tongs. He seems to like the movement. I also do feed him in a separate bin from his tank. I know there's some mixed opinions about that but his substrate is coconut fiber and I don't want him to end up ingesting any of it

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Ok, maybe next time you're home try feeding within his enclosure and leaving the prey item for him outside his hide. That will eliminate your parents needing to move him to a separate feeding tub and will eliminate him taking off tongs. If it is a quick drop off without any real human interaction it shouldn't matter who puts the prey item into the enclosure.

If you're concerned with substrate ingestion, consider this: nobody cleans their food in the wild. They can digest bone and fur, a little coco husk won't hurt them. Just avoid larger pieces of substrate and pieces with "sharp" edges. Maybe set the prey item on a small piece of cardboard directly outside the hide.

Getting the animal to eat consistently is your ultimate goal, and this may be your best bet. You may need to divert from what you prefer and do what the snake needs, unfortunately. We all need to make some changes to accommodate our animals, and BPs can be some finicky little buggers.

Hope this helps!

P.S. Your parents could always try this before you are home next week as well.