Common feeding problem?

Yep..freak out mode. Boop didn't eat tonight. She struggled last week if you remember. Is it common for them to fast this late in the year, or early in the year? I'm going to wait two weeks to feed her next. Nothing has changed in her enclosure. Schedule is still the same as always.

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From all the posts I've read on this website and others, it's perfectly fine and normal.
Users on here have reported 6 months to even a year.
Personally the longest for me was 2 months. That's why some don't refer to the BP as a good first snake cause of their eating habits, can stress an owner out.

I've seen your other posts, you're definitely no amateur, your set up is probably spot on and it's just a BP doing what a BP does.

It's funny cause it happens to everyone, you can be an expert and help so many people out but the second it's your own pet, you forget all that and start panicking.

Best of luck

Well she's nearly 1kg in weight so she's my in any danger - I'd do what you said ... try in a fortnight.

Presume you feed evenings and if you haven't tried it the 'hairdryer' method is tried and trusted [emoji6]

I had a female go 9 months without eating and was fine as never misses a feed nowadays.


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When was her last shed. See any signs ?

I wouldn't sweat it. Tyson refused last night too, for his second straight week. He didn't eat in shed either, so he's about a month without eating. I'm not concerned at all.

No signs of shed. I thought about that too. She goes about 7 weeks before being in blue again. She has always eaten in shed as well. She is a good eater. I did do the hair dryer trick last week and this week. My good eater is turning into a picky eater.

Weather has been really screwy this year already and as you know the weather plays a huge role in how these snakes behave. I would not worry about it since you have an adult and they go off feed without issues. Mine just spent 3 weeks not eating while in shed and due to some funky weather. He is now as I am typing destroying his enclosure during the morning which if it wasn't him, I would be confused by the behavior.

Don't sweat it

Weather is screwy and most of the time mine stop eating 2 weeks before they go into the Blue...
Last year mine went off the end of Feb and didn't eat until 1st week of may.


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How long is it okay to leave a f/t in the enclosure before it's time to throw away?

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It's probably fine. I would go to offering every 2 weeks.

I would also handle her less, especially when close to feeding time.

When Shayna goes off feed, I offer every two-three weeks until she eats (usually goes 5 months every winter without food). She's about 1600G when eating all summer, and I offer her a medium rat every two weeks normally. She ate 4 feedings in a row and then refused this past week. No big deal.

She can be picky, so I do not handle or even go in the tank (except to clean up) for three days before feedings.

If I recall, she also went off feed and started getting picky about eating around 1K grams as well. Before then she was in baby must grow mode and was eating more regularly.

As she grew she basically stopped striking at F/T prey and became more shy about eating. Now she grabs and pulls in her house so I don't watch her :).

If I recall, you often handle before feedings and that has worked fine. However, if she's no longer little and thinking "grow or die," that could throw her off too.

Take a deep breath. She will eat again and can go a long, long, time at the weight without food.

Offer every other week until she eats.

No handling for 2-3 days prior to feeding.

That's my two cents.

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Originally Posted by Amanda1987

How long is it okay to leave a f/t in the enclosure before it's time to throw away?

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I will leave it in overnight. I’d probably pull it back out after a couple-few hours, but I’m asleep by then.


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I had a ball refuse to eat for nearly 9 months with no problems.

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Originally Posted by SDA

Weather has been really screwy this year already and as you know the weather plays a huge role in how these snakes behave. I would not worry about it since you have an adult and they go off feed without issues. Mine just spent 3 weeks not eating while in shed and due to some funky weather. He is now as I am typing destroying his enclosure during the morning which if it wasn't him, I would be confused by the behavior.

Don't sweat it

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Weather is screwy and most of the time mine stop eating 2 weeks before they go into the Blue...
Last year mine went off the end of Feb and didn't eat until 1st week of may.


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I'm thinking weather is a factor too. 3 out of my 4 refused the past two weeks. Django has continued to be a garbage disposal, but he's been grouchy. I think he's looking for a lady Kingsnake to love, hahaha.

I always find it strange that a species that can be such problematic eaters is recommended as a good first snake

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My BP hasnt eaten since the beginning of this year...so like about 4 months now. I try every couple weeks and if she doesnt want it, i got lots of garbage cans around who are more than willing to eat it. Dottie will go 4-6 months without eating usually every year.

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Originally Posted by Valyrian

I always find it strange that a species that can be such problematic eaters is recommended as a good first snake

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I actually had a snake at work that never ate and I actually had to put the baby down. I was not experienced and vowed never again! It was from that point on I did research, called breeders, rescue groups, vets, ect. I fell in love with BP's and set up my own enclosure which took me 8 months. I love Boople so much which is why I freak out. I have been through snakes not eating and I vowed never again. This hurts me that she didn't eat! I know I'm doing everything correct. I know her husbandry is correct! I'm still freaking out. Lol. I know she will be fine.

Sorry got off topic...I always tell people at work BP's are not beginner snakes. Get a corn snake lol.

My 1500 gram female pastel, pandora, hasn't eaten since thanksgiving and now weighs 1368 grams, but has shed twice in that time and appears healthy otherwise. I'm hoping when spring ACTUALLY gets here she will eat again.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I actually had a snake at work that never ate and I actually had to put the baby down. I was not experienced and vowed never again! It was from that point on I did research, called breeders, rescue groups, vets, ect. I fell in love with BP's and set up my own enclosure which took me 8 months. I love Boople so much which is why I freak out. I have been through snakes not eating and I vowed never again. This hurts me that she didn't eat! I know I'm doing everything correct. I know her husbandry is correct! I'm still freaking out. Lol. I know she will be fine.

Sorry got off topic...I always tell people at work BP's are not beginner snakes. Get a corn snake lol.

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Once you keep enough BPs long enough, you will realize once they get older, they just quit eating for a few months every year.

Snakes can easily go 6+ months without food with no ill effects assuming they are healthy to begin with.

Welcome to the world of owning BPs haha.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I actually had a snake at work that never ate and I actually had to put the baby down. I was not experienced and vowed never again! It was from that point on I did research, called breeders, rescue groups, vets, ect. I fell in love with BP's and set up my own enclosure which took me 8 months. I love Boople so much which is why I freak out. I have been through snakes not eating and I vowed never again. This hurts me that she didn't eat! I know I'm doing everything correct. I know her husbandry is correct! I'm still freaking out. Lol. I know she will be fine.

Sorry got off topic...I always tell people at work BP's are not beginner snakes. Get a corn snake lol.

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I think a Burm would be a better choice for a first snake as far as feeding goes lol. Obviously size may be a factor too.

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I recommend a BCI for a first time snake owner. They RARELY refuse food, are usually docile, grow to a respectable size but still remain manageable, dont require any really large prey. They also come in as many if not more colors and patterns than BPs and they dont really have any crazy husbandry requirement.

Sorry brain dead...and I know what BCI stands for, but for the life of me I can't remember right now. Ugh...stupid brain!

Boa constrictor imperitor... or big chunky inchworm. :D