Advice and reinsurance

Hi everyone, my beautiful bp is being particular on eating and was looking for some advice only had him for a few weeks hes 165g 22-24in and hes eating every other week not by my choice hasn't lost weight but alarming? Temps are 90 hot side 80 cold humidity 55-65 hes eating frozen thawed. Besides that thinking about building him a viv this winter anyone got some ideas? Was looking at birch ply

He's a BP! Welcome to picky eaters lol. They do this....all the time. Are you feeding him in or out of his enclosure?

In my experience, the males are the worst for going on ghandiesque hunger strikes.

Thank you inside his enclosure when he eats its a matter of seconds lol

Yeah idk if its the size of the mouse im feeling him I think were I got him from they might have been feeding him smaller.

I found that the quality of rodents from various sources varies quite a bit. mine were picky till I found a source they liked, that doesn't smell weird and that are fresh, now they eat like champs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slither Seeker

I found that the quality of rodents from various sources varies quite a bit. mine were picky till I found a source they liked, that doesn't smell weird and that are fresh, now they eat like champs.

---

If you don't mind were do you get yours? I've been getting mine from petsmart convinced, any advice on the size weight of the rodent?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mac27

If you don't mind were do you get yours? I've been getting mine from petsmart convinced, any advice on the size weight of the rodent?

---

The petsmart rodents are WAY expensive in my experience, lucky for me I found a local snake guy who owns 90 colubrids and has his own rodent room! (as well as climate controlled snake room) I was amazed how clean and organized the rodent room was! Super high quality, clean and cared for rats and mice, and he gave me the rodents very cheap. Find supplier other than big corporate box stores if possible imo.

The best and cheapest way to get them is to order in bulk online really, the most expensive part is shipping but if you buy enough it's really worth it. I'm not sure how good an option this is for you right though sense he is so small and would need to size up pretty soon I would imagine, but when he is a bit bigger this is a really one of the best options.

For you I would recommend looking for reptile stores near you and see if they sell feeders or see when the next reptile expo in coming your way and buy some feeders there.

As for size, this is the chart most everyone here uses

I really wouldn't be too horribly worried about him skipping a few meals however. As long as he's eating the right size and looks healthy it won't hurt for him to miss a few meals, and petsmart mice are overpriced but are okay if that's your only option. That's what I fed my boy for the first few months as well until I found a better supplier near me.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a7fc6337a9.jpg

Sent from my LG-D690 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Godzilla78

The petsmart rodents are WAY expensive in my experience, lucky for me I found a local snake guy who owns 90 colubrids and has his own rodent room! (as well as climate controlled snake room) I was amazed how clean and organized the rodent room was! Super high quality, clean and cared for rats and mice, and he gave me the rodents very cheap. Find supplier other than big corporate box stores if possible imo.

---

Wow that sounds awesome. Yeah ive been looking just not finding to much for a good price, with shipping other places seem to cost more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BluuWolf

The best and cheapest way to get them is to order in bulk online really, the most expensive part is shipping but if you buy enough it's really worth it. I'm not sure how good an option this is for you right though sense he is so small and would need to size up pretty soon I would imagine, but when he is a bit bigger this is a really one of the best options.

For you I would recommend looking for reptile stores near you and see if they sell feeders or see when the next reptile expo in coming your way and buy some feeders there.

As for size, this is the chart most everyone here uses

I really wouldn't be too horribly worried about him skipping a few meals however. As long as he's eating the right size and looks healthy it won't hurt for him to miss a few meals, and petsmart mice are overpriced but are okay if that's your only option. That's what I fed my boy for the first few months as well until I found a better supplier near me.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a7fc6337a9.jpg

Sent from my LG-D690 using Tapatalk

---

Thank you this helps alot looks like on on the right track I tend to get hyper critical about these things lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mac27

Thank you this helps alot looks like on on the right track I tend to get hyper critical about these things lol

---

Don't worry I totally understand, I'm just like you XD The first time I fed Meeko I freaked out thinking the food was to big only to find after researching forever that it was actually to small.

Just never be afraid to ask! There is no such thing as a stupid question and it's always better to know. We are always happy to answer

Sent from my LG-D690 using Tapatalk

Mac- How much are the feeders at your Petsmart? I was paying $13 for (6) mice fuzzys or (4) small mice. Even with the shipping costs it was less expensive for me to buy in bulk than paying those prices. I order all my feeders from Perfect Prey. if your snake eats consistently every 2 weeks then feed him every 2 weeks. If his appetite picks up you can always increase the prey size or feeding frequency.

http://www.perfectprey.com/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BluuWolf

Don't worry I totally understand, I'm just like you XD The first time I fed Meeko I freaked out thinking the food was to big only to find after researching forever that it was actually to small.

Just never be afraid to ask! There is no such thing as a stupid question and it's always better to know. We are always happy to answer

Sent from my LG-D690 using Tapatalk

---

Well I really appreciate it everyone Its a good piece of mind to talk to people who truly know and care about these reptiles :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Mac- How much are the feeders at your Petsmart? I was paying $13 for (6) mice fuzzys or (4) small mice. Even with the shipping costs it was less expensive for me to buy in bulk than paying those prices. I order all my feeders from Perfect Prey. if your snake eats consistently every 2 weeks then feed him every 2 weeks. If his appetite picks up you can always increase the prey size or feeding frequency.

http://www.perfectprey.com/

---

Thanks Ill check it out for a medium 12.5 grams is 3$ so not to bad until its time to really increase. But I have to ask right know I have him in a 20gallon long temps and humidity are good but I spend alot of time checking and altering so im looking to build an enclosure any advice? Ive been looking at pvc all in one online but for cost and love hate reviews it seems building might be the way to go......

Maybe try rats. I was told males are tougher feeders. Someone on here suggested a female for feeding reasons. Now I have a female.

Perfect Prey is the best source I've found. They have fair prices and exceptionally clean / fresh rodents and great customer service.

- I have found big cheese and rodent pro have varying quality (used to order in super bulk for a rehab center I worked at...some of the feeders were only good for vultures they were soggy and not fresh)
- not impressed at all with big cheese (rats with urine stain and feces on them, poor fur condition, ect).
- As for petsmart / petco rodents they scare me a little more than the big suppliers. These stores don't always keep the prey completely frozen, so you'll sometimes get rats that have been partially thawed then re-frozen (causes bacterial growth and rot) as well as being dirty / skinny poor quality feeders.