Feeding Interest Varies

This is the 2nd time in 4 weeks where F/T has not been taken by my BP and I'm wondering if this might be normal. I try to feed every 7 days and when one week is missed the interest level is extremely high and the prey is almost immediately taken. In fact, last week was the 1st time, I've ever seen my BP (340grams) come out of his hide, strike w/ a vengeance and immediately coil the prey. I was blown away. This week (6 days later), he showed some interest, made a pitiful attempt at a strike and missed, so I layed the f/t in front of his hide and came back this morning and it was still there. One thing to note, is the 1st couple of months, I always had to leave the prey for him and it was always gone by the morning.

Do you think a longer in between feeding schedule is needed for this particular eater? I hate to do this because I feel he needs to put on some weight. He's over a year old and weights 340grams.

I think every two weeks is a pretty,average feeding schedule for them.

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

I think every two weeks is a pretty,average feeding schedule for them.

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I was thinking 2 weeks was average for a larger BP.

When a meal is skipped, is it still recommended to wait a certain amount of time to handle? I know it’s recommebed to wait a week to feed.

My understanding is that not handling for 24 hours after feeding is to prevent regurgitation of the meal. If they don't eat it should be fine.

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

My understanding is that not handling for 24 hours after feeding is to prevent regurgitation of the meal. If they don't eat it should be fine.

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I always wait 48hrs for that same reason. I just wasn’t sure if there was still a ‘feeding mode’ that I need to worry about even though he did not eat. I would hate to get tagged for the 1st time ;

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

I always wait 48hrs for that same reason. I just wasn’t sure if there was still a ‘feeding mode’ that I need to worry about even though he did not eat. I would hate to get tagged for the 1st time ;

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No that's usually for people that have a stressed snake and maybe they just got them..then there's no touching until they start eating for you.


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Feeding and failure to feed can be due to various factor at that size/age. First you need to realize that 2 skip meals in 4 weeks is not a problem, second you need to see if things need to be adjusted or not or if it is a normal behavior for said snake

While generally a juvenile of that size with optimum husbandry will rarely stop eating it also depends how much the animal has been fed, BP will skip meals or even fast to catch up so feeding smaller prey especially to males is always recommended.

Now a typical cause for BP that size to start skipping meals or go of feed is usually husbandry related even an animal that has been house in the same condition for a while can start developing issues so making sure the husbandry is optimal (temps etc) and considering downsizing if not done already is always advisable.

Finally there is the age in question as well, you BP is now mature and while he is small he might be wanting to breed, I have had a small male this season going of feed at 400 grams (not something usual around here), this male is a year old and apparently he had breeding on his mind, I put him with some females he locked right away and now is eating again and has gained 250 grams in a very short amount of time.

As you can see reasons for not feeding can be as easy as being in shed to more complex reasons.

Try spacing the meals to every 10 days and double check your husbandry.

Appreciate the response Deborah!

After owning my BP for over 5 months now, I’ve seen a handful of different feeding responses from a ‘shy and wait until my owner leaves’ eater to a ‘strike and pull the prey into my hide’ eater. Every ‘aggressive feeding response’ has occurred after a missed feeding so that’s why I was wondering if I may need to space the meals farther apart then a week.

His meals have been adult mice (26-30grams). I’ve had some well documented issues with converting to f/t rats and I may try again once he puts some weight on (maybe around 400grams).

I’ll admit, I very rarely check surface temps because I just assume my Herpstat is doing its job. I just measured temps and recorded the following:

Hot side surface: 93. Cool side surface: 82

Ambient: 76-78 Humidity: 72%

As for your downsizing comment, he’s currently in a 36x12x12 pvc enclosure and I just ordered an AP T-10 which is considerably bigger. My biggest complaint about my current setup is the lack of depth when feeding. The hides get pushed up against the glass sometimes making it harder to feed. I think I remember you not recommending a T-8 or T-10 to BPs less then 500 grams. Hopefully my BP will be larger once it arrives and I’ll also try to clutter it with extra hides, etc...

Even though he didn’t eat this time, he still showed interest and struck once. That’s what has me scratching my head. Its almost like if he doesn’t connect on his 1st try, he gives up.


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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Appreciate the response Deborah!

After owning my BP for over 5 months now, I’ve seen a handful of different feeding responses from a ‘shy and wait until my owner leaves’ eater to a ‘strike and pull the prey into my hide’ eater. Every ‘aggressive feeding response’ has occurred after a missed feeding so that’s why I was wondering if I may need to space the meals farther apart then a week.

His meals have been adult mice (26-30grams). I’ve had some well documented issues with converting to f/t rats and I may try again once he puts some weight on (maybe around 400grams).

I’ll admit, I very rarely check surface temps because I just assume my Herpstat is doing its job. I just measured temps and recorded the following:

Hot side surface: 93. Cool side surface: 82

Ambient: 76-78 Humidity: 72%

As for your downsizing comment, he’s currently in a 36x12x12 pvc enclosure and I just ordered an AP T-10 which is considerably bigger. My biggest complaint about my current setup is the lack of depth when feeding. The hides get pushed up against the glass sometimes making it harder to feed. I think I remember you not recommending a T-8 or T-10 to BPs less then 500 grams. Hopefully my BP will be larger once it arrives and I’ll also try to clutter it with extra hides, etc...

Even though he didn’t eat this time, he still showed interest and struck once. That’s what has me scratching my head. Its almost like if he doesn’t connect on his 1st try, he gives up.


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Here is what I have been doing for years with my males to try to help them eat during the winter/low pressure months, I keep them in nothing bigger than a 15 quarts tubs, and my rate of male refusing to eat has drastically dropped.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Here is what I have been doing for years with my males to try to help them eat during the winter/low pressure months, I keep them in nothing bigger than a 15 quarts tubs, and my rate of male refusing to eat has drastically dropped.

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That makes sense. I'll try to make it work based on the enclosure I have as well as try a 10 day feeding schedule.

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

That makes sense. I'll try to make it work based on the enclosure I have as well as try a 10 day feeding schedule.

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My make went off at 350 grams last year fir 10 weeks because i fed every week. My females eat every week and havent gone off yet. The male now eats every 14 days and hasn't gone off this winter. I think ots smarter to feed makes EOW to keep them consistent.
Ohhh and they all have 4' enclosures.


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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

My make went off at 350 grams last year fir 10 weeks because i fed every week. My females eat every week and havent gone off yet. The male now eats every 14 days and hasn't gone off this winter. I think ots smarter to feed makes EOW to keep them consistent.
Ohhh and they all have 4' enclosures.
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Well I just tried to feed again and he seemed very interested; coming out of his hide but never struck. It's very frustrating. I thought for sure he would take it after skipping last week. The only thing different is I changed the direction of the hides to give him for more room to strike. The hot side hide is a little on the high side (93) so maybe that needs to be lowered???

If it is winter fasting, I was hoping he would have a little more meat on his bones (350). He seems a little skinny to me. He's never refused two weeks in a row for me (only when I tried to introduce f/t rats).

I left the mouse in the enclosure so fingers crossed it will be gone when I check tomorrow morning.

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Well I just tried to feed again and he seemed very interested; coming out of his hide but never struck. It's very frustrating. I thought for sure he would take it after skipping last week. The only thing different is I changed the direction of the hides to give him for more room to strike. The hot side hide is a little on the high side (93) so maybe that needs to be lowered???

If it is winter fasting, I was hoping he would have a little more meat on his bones (350). He seems a little skinny to me. He's never refused two weeks in a row for me (only when I tried to introduce f/t rats).

I left the mouse in the enclosure so fingers crossed it will be gone when I check tomorrow morning.

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Inunderstand the frustration. It drive me crazy last year. I think it was 10 weeks and he started out around 360 and ended the fast around 335. Thats just aprox i cant keep all this in my head.
Its normal, so put on your seatbelt and enjoy the rollercoaster hahahah
(PS: the spelling was terrible in my last reply. MAKE was Male and Fir was For.. I hate these tiny key pads) lol.


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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Inunderstand the frustration. It drive me crazy last year. I think it was 10 weeks and he started out around 360 and ended the fast around 335. Thats just aprox i cant keep all this in my head.
Its normal, so put on your seatbelt and enjoy the rollercoaster hahahah
(PS: the spelling was terrible in my last reply. MAKE was Male and Fir was For.. I hate these tiny key pads) lol.
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I've heard so much about males fasting but I never thought a BP my size would start so soon. I guess I'll offer every 10 days and hope one of these times he takes it. Never would I have guessed a BP would be so high maintenance ;)

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

I've heard so much about males fasting but I never thought a BP my size would start so soon. I guess I'll offer every 10 days and hope one of these times he takes it. Never would I have guessed a BP would be so high maintenance ;)

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I guess we all make them high maintenance. We cant help but feel they need to eat etc... In reality what we think they need doesn't matter hahahaha. I have sat infront of 3 enclosures for 4 hours now adjusting temps and putting sheet metal in between them because 1.5 degrees is making me crazy.. Is this Nuts, Im sure of it hahahahah
I started at 10am removing the glass doors and dragging the enclosures all over the room. Mounted a new RHP, then Re-stacked them and have been hiding wires and measuring temps with extra thermistats and a laser like a geeked outTweeker [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

I guess we all make them high maintenance. We cant help but feel they need to eat etc... In reality what we think they need doesn't matter hahahaha. I have sat infront of 3 enclosures for 4 hours now adjusting temps and putting sheet metal in between them because 1.5 degrees is making me crazy.. Is this Nuts, Im sure of it hahahahah
I started at 10am removing the glass doors and dragging the enclosures all over the room. Mounted a new RHP, then Re-stacked them and have been hiding wires and measuring temps with extra thermistats and a laser like a geeked outTweeker [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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Well I'm just glad newbies like myself can lean on experienced keepers like yourself. Otherwise, I'd be pretty stressed and have no idea what to try. Looking forward to seeing pictures once everything is built out. Good luck bro!

Also if he refuses the first time, dip the head in the hottest water from the tap for about 30 seconds. Lay it on a towel real quick to dry it and offer again. This usually works for me 98% of the time.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Also if he refuses the first time, dip the head in the hottest water from the tap for about 30 seconds. Lay it on a towel real quick to dry it and offer again. This usually works for me 98% of the time.

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Interesting. I've never heard of this approach. I just keep reheating w/ a hair dryer.

I have never used a hair dryer. The hot water on the second try usually works.

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Appreciate the response Deborah!

After owning my BP for over 5 months now, I’ve seen a handful of different feeding responses from a ‘shy and wait until my owner leaves’ eater to a ‘strike and pull the prey into my hide’ eater. Every ‘aggressive feeding response’ has occurred after a missed feeding so that’s why I was wondering if I may need to space the meals farther apart then a week.

His meals have been adult mice (26-30grams). I’ve had some well documented issues with converting to f/t rats and I may try again once he puts some weight on (maybe around 400grams).

I’ll admit, I very rarely check surface temps because I just assume my Herpstat is doing its job. I just measured temps and recorded the following:

Hot side surface: 93. Cool side surface: 82

Ambient: 76-78 Humidity: 72%

As for your downsizing comment, he’s currently in a 36x12x12 pvc enclosure and I just ordered an AP T-10 which is considerably bigger. My biggest complaint about my current setup is the lack of depth when feeding. The hides get pushed up against the glass sometimes making it harder to feed. I think I remember you not recommending a T-8 or T-10 to BPs less then 500 grams. Hopefully my BP will be larger once it arrives and I’ll also try to clutter it with extra hides, etc...

Even though he didn’t eat this time, he still showed interest and struck once. That’s what has me scratching my head. Its almost like if he doesn’t connect on his 1st try, he gives up.


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Best not assume the temps are correct simply by trusting the stat ... get yourself a 10 dollar digital temp gun off Amazon or eBay to check the all important surface temps in the warm side especially under the warm hide .


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Best not assume the temps are correct simply by trusting the stat ... get yourself a 10 dollar digital temp gun off Amazon or eBay to check the all important surface temps in the warm side especially under the warm hide .

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The temps listed above were checked by a temp gun.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Inunderstand the frustration. It drive me crazy last year. I think it was 10 weeks and he started out around 360 and ended the fast around 335. Thats just aprox i cant keep all this in my head.
Its normal, so put on your seatbelt and enjoy the rollercoaster hahahah
(PS: the spelling was terrible in my last reply. MAKE was Male and Fir was For.. I hate these tiny key pads) lol.
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Well......I woke up this morning, put on my clothes and grabbed a plastic trash bag to go retrieve the uneaten mouse. Looked in the cage and I thought I saw it still laying there. Looked a little closer and and it was the blood outline of the mouse on the brown paper substrate. Looks like he had snacked on it when I went to bed. Super happy about that but I really wish I knew I could read his signs (i.e. no strike and eat when I'm gone, strike and eat later, aggressive strike and pull back into hide, etc...). Regardless, I'm going to dial in the hotside surface (93) once the feeding period is over. I don't want to disturb him now. This kind of stuff definitely changes your outlook on the weekend ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Well......I woke up this morning, put on my clothes and grabbed a plastic trash bag to go retrieve the uneaten mouse. Looked in the cage and I thought I saw it still laying there. Looked a little closer and and it was the blood outline of the mouse on the brown paper substrate. Looks like he had snacked on it when I went to bed. Super happy about that but I really wish I knew I could read his signs (i.e. no strike and eat when I'm gone, strike and eat later, aggressive strike and pull back into hide, etc...). Regardless, I'm going to dial in the hotside surface (93) once the feeding period is over. I don't want to disturb him now. This kind of stuff definitely changes your outlook on the weekend ;)

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Good.. And id stick with 7-10 or even 14 until spring if you dont want to drive yourself crazy :)


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