BP Not Interested in Rats Anymore

Hey Guys....

Very frustrated here because thought I was over this hump. I had the hardest time converting my BP from F/T mice to F/T rats. After struggling for a LONG time, I finally ordered a fresh batch of rats and used 'dirty mouse' bedding which worked like a CHARM. This worked for about 2-3 months as I was able to slowly wean him off the bedding. I was able to get a good solid month of successful feedings without the bedding.

In the last month he's eaten once and he's refused two meals in a row for a total of 3 weeks in a row of not eating. He shows a lot of interest, in fact last night he came out of his hide completely but never striking or taking the food when I left it for him. In the past when he didn't strike and coil, he would eat when I left the food for him.

As for temps and technique of feeding, nothing has changed. He's a male BP at 500 grams.

I'm leaning towards reintroducing 'dirty mouse' bedding. What does everyone think?

Thanks!

You can try it but he may just be acting like a maturing boy. Sometimes they eat sometimes they don't. I would hold out awhile.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

You can try it but he may just be acting like a maturing boy. Sometimes they eat sometimes they don't. I would hold out awhile.

---

That's a good point but if he wasn't going to eat, I wouldn't expect him to come the whole way out of his hide and show interest. But maybe that's me trying to apply 'logic' to the situation ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ckuhn003

That's a good point but if he wasn't going to eat, I wouldn't expect him to come the whole way out of his hide and show interest. But maybe that's me trying to apply 'logic' to the situation ;)

---

They are all different. I have a male that plays that game but he always "kills" the rat whether he really wants to eat or not. I am wise to his bs at this point and just don't feed him as often.

It never hurts to try with a little bit of smelly stuff. From what i've heard, though, its usually around that size when BP's decide that they dont want to be fed on a regular schedule. Dont stress him out by trying to feed super often though, give him a break of 2 weeks or so before trying again if he truly doesnt want to eat.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slicercrush

It never hurts to try with a little bit of smelly stuff. From what i've heard, though, its usually around that size when BP's decide that they dont want to be fed on a regular schedule. Dont stress him out by trying to feed super often though, give him a break of 2 weeks or so before trying again if he truly doesnt want to eat.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

---

yea, I was feeding him every seven days and I started to stretch it out to every 2 weeks when he started to show less interest coupled with some refusals. I've only been a snake owner for a year so a lot of this is still 'new' to me.

What ever you do, Do not feed him mice again! :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RickyNY

What ever you do, Do not feed him mice again! :gj:

---

Agreed! I was just worried that if I scented w/ mice bedding again it might set me back again (which doesn't sound too bad, as long as I can get my hands on it).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Agreed! I was just worried that if I scented w/ mice bedding again it might set me back again (which doesn't sound too bad, as long as I can get my hands on it).

---

Yeah, no mice! If he took rats, he will again. He's just being difficult and hitting a weight wall for males.

BP's are known to do this and he will eat again.

Offer in two weeks, and if he refuses again, offer in 3 weeks. Don't get him used to refusing.

Shayna, my adult female BP, fasts like clockwork every winter for 5 months. I offer monthly once she refuses two meals in a row and eventually she eats again.

She also refuses meals periodically during the summer, but in general, eats happily 3/4 times I offer.

BP's are weird snakes when it comes to eating.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

Yeah, no mice! If he took rats, he will again. He's just being difficult and hitting a weight wall for males.

BP's are known to do this and he will eat again.

Offer in two weeks, and if he refuses again, offer in 3 weeks. Don't get him used to refusing.

Shayna, my adult female BP, fasts like clockwork every winter for 5 months. I offer monthly once she refuses two meals in a row and eventually she eats again.

She also refuses meals periodically during the summer, but in general, eats happily 3/4 times I offer.

BP's are weird snakes when it comes to eating.

---

Wise words my friend! It can get a little depressing after refusals but I'm glad to hear that it's fairly common.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Wise words my friend! It can get a little depressing after refusals but I'm glad to hear that it's fairly common.

---

Super common. Don’t worry. It’s harder on us when they refuse than it is on them!!!!

I had nothing but males over the last 5 years and they definitely eat when they want to. After I’d say about the first two years it gets interesting, lol. That’s why so many experienced members feed less often and practice skipping after refusals. Mine only really eat about 3 to 4 months a year with any regular pattern at best. And it’s always right before the now yearly annual fast. Hang in there, long as your husbandry is on point you should be good. You got some solid advice here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ckuhn003

That's a good point but if he wasn't going to eat, I wouldn't expect him to come the whole way out of his hide and show interest. But maybe that's me trying to apply 'logic' to the situation ;)

---

All the BP's I've had who refused prey do it this way- come out of their hide as if they are hungry, but then shoot past the prey or just kind of hover there for a minute or two before retreating back into the hide. I realized a refusal is a refusal LOL.

One of my male BP's consistently will only eat exactly once a month. If I offer at all before a month is over, he will refuse. It's possible your boy is just doing the casual refusal and eating less often now.

WELCOME to the world of Ball Pythons... As most will tell you, BP's are known to go off of food. It's not that they are not interested... it's just their way of stressing you out!! My guys will go off and on all the time. Some will eat one week and then not the next. It can be very stressful to you if you just have the one snake because you don't know if he will eat until you are ready to offer the prey and then he rejects it and you have a thawed rat on your hands to go to waste.But lucky you will now have your new boa coming and if the BP won't eat the prey then you can offer to the boa. Of course that is if they are both eating the same size of prey. Anyways I think you get the idea!! It's all good my friend :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Wise words my friend! It can get a little depressing after refusals but I'm glad to hear that it's fairly common.

---

Congratulations, you are now owned by a male B.P.- :rofl: (been there...done that ;) )

You guys are awesome! I feel so much better after reading your responses. What a great resource to have as a fairly new snake owner. I can only hope to repay all the knowledge and support I’ve obtained in the last year from all of you.