New RTB Stopped Eating

Hi everyone, I recently had an intro post with my new baby. We've had this problem for ~2 weeks now, where she won't eat. I had her eat her first meal a day after coming home ~2 weeks ago. Now she's being weird.

I tried to feed her last weekend, made sure the fuzzy was nice and warm and had plenty of scent, which she noticed. She followed the mouse around her enclosure and seemed extremely interested, but refused to strike. She would follow the fuzzy right up to the tip of her nose, stay for a few seconds, and then completely turn away.

This week is the same scenario. I'm going to try offering it warmed up again in a few minutes, but I'm worried she won't take it. She seems extremely interested, explores her enclosure quite often, and seems quite content with things. Some environmental settings are as follows:

Hot side: ~90 Degrees F
Cold Side: ~82 Degrees F
Hide on each side
Water dish with plenty of water
Humidity: ~50-60%
No signs of shedding

Boas don't need 90 degrees. I keep mine around 86 warm side and cool at 78-75. Might be tad too hot, I would reduce your warm side to 88 and cool to 80/78.

What was this boa feeding on before?
What was the first meal with you? how did she take it?
Is there a lot of activity around the tub/tank?
Are you offering at night? Have you tried leaving the feeder in overnight? (assuming f/t)

Have you been handling her at all? And yes, I think she's a little too warm also...boas aren't the same as BPs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Boas don't need 90 degrees. I keep mine around 86 warm side and cool at 78-75. Might be tad too hot, I would reduce your warm side to 88 and cool to 80/78.

What was this boa feeding on before?
What was the first meal with you? how did she take it?
Is there a lot of activity around the tub/tank?
Are you offering at night? Have you tried leaving the feeder in overnight? (assuming f/t)

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Thanks for the info on the temps.
The first meal was a fuzzy, the day after I got her, just over two weeks ago.
There's not much activity as it's in the kitchen
I'm offering in the evening hours yes. I have not left the feeder in overnight, is this a thing?

Thanks

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Have you been handling her at all? And yes, I think she's a little too warm also...boas aren't the same as BPs.

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Thanks for the info, I'll turn it down a little bit!

It sounds to me as if she wants to eat but because she's in the "open" (in her cage, yes, but not in a hide waiting to ambush prey outside the door) that
she feels too exposed & that's why she hesitates to eat. So yes, leave the f/t prey in her cage overnight, hopefully it will be gone by morning. Also, for
some snakes, the motion may be too much: some snakes love to grab prey that wiggles, but others back away, especially if they've only been fed f/t.

What I'd do is offer later evening, preferably when she is in her hide, either one. (does she hang out in her hides?) When you see she's in a hide, slightly
jiggle the prey outside the doorway of the hide...you may get her attention but if you don't, just leave it there. Many shy snakes LOVE to be in their hides
and grab prey that saunters past their doorway. What substrate are you using? you might put down a small paper plate or plastic food container lid to
leave the prey on, so she can pick it up easily without eating loose substrate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It sounds to me as if she wants to eat but because she's in the "open" (in her cage, yes, but not in a hide waiting to ambush prey outside the door) that
she feels too exposed & that's why she hesitates to eat. So yes, leave the f/t prey in her cage overnight, hopefully it will be gone by morning. Also, for
some snakes, the motion may be too much: some snakes love to grab prey that wiggles, but others back away, especially if they've only been fed f/t.

What I'd do is offer later evening, preferably when she is in her hide, either one. (does she hang out in her hides?) When you see she's in a hide, slightly
jiggle the prey outside the doorway of the hide...you may get her attention but if you don't, just leave it there. Many shy snakes LOVE to be in their hides
and grab prey that saunters past their doorway. What substrate are you using? you might put down a small paper plate or plastic food container lid to
leave the prey on, so she can pick it up easily without eating loose substrate.

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I'll definitely give it a shot. We have the cyprus mulch, so I would definitely need something to set the prey on so she doesn't get much of it. She's definitely "shy" from what I noticed on the last successful feeding. She actually prefers to "hang out" on top of her hides rather than inside of them.

Once you offer & leave her food in her cage, turn out the lights & don't peek until morning..."do not disturb". That might help (I hope!). So like, do it
right before you go to bed...some snakes hate to be watched while they're eating, & that makes sense. In the wild, they are vulnerable to predators when
they stop for lunch.

If all else fails ...

Feed in the evening , wait until the Boa is settled UNDER its hide , give the mouse a good 15 second blast with a hairdryer ( have it plugged in close to the viv ) then INSTANTLY dangle the mouse in front of the hide entrance!!

Don't blink !

If it doesn't grab it first time simply repeat the process exactly until it takes it .


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IT WORKED!!! So I tried feeding her a little bit bigger of a mouse last night, "small mouse" from Petsmart actually. She wouldn't take it as usual, so I decided to just leave it in there overnight. Came out this morning and she was all wrapped up in her hot hide with a nice fat belly.

Thank you for the suggestion!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tpot

IT WORKED!!! So I tried feeding her a little bit bigger of a mouse last night, "small mouse" from Petsmart actually. She wouldn't take it as usual, so I decided to just leave it in there overnight. Came out this morning and she was all wrapped up in her hot hide with a nice fat belly.

Thank you for the suggestion!

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Well whatever works is GOOD :)


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tpot

IT WORKED!!! So I tried feeding her a little bit bigger of a mouse last night, "small mouse" from Petsmart actually. She wouldn't take it as usual, so I decided to just leave it in there overnight. Came out this morning and she was all wrapped up in her hot hide with a nice fat belly.

Thank you for the suggestion!

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Congrats! I just got my baby BCI yesterday so I'm curious how he'll do his 1st feeding. I saw a lot of people on this thread mentioned 'wait until he's in his hide' but I've yet to see mine go in either of his hides.

Post some pics when you get the chance.

Really glad it worked! I've come across plenty of shy boa feeders and leaving in the cage overnight will work a lot of the time. The boa might keep being like that but eventually they will get more outgoing and take it from tongs. Some are just really shy (and some won't eat while in shed but most will). I'm happy the little one ate!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Congrats! I just got my baby BCI yesterday so I'm curious how he'll do his 1st feeding. I saw a lot of people on this thread mentioned 'wait until he's in his hide' but I've yet to see mine go in either of his hides.

Post some pics when you get the chance.

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Oddly enough none of my Boas used their hides so I removed them - they have loads of 'quiet places' on and around the branches and pieces of bark . They strike-feed from their 'places' ..


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It all comes down to learning YOUR snake's personality...you can never assume that all boas or all BPs or whatever kind will respond the same way.
We think we're teaching them but pretty much they're teaching US to pay attention- to what THEY need.

I'm delighted that your boa took her first meal now, Tpot...it should all get easier now. :gj:

Really glad your new boa ate for you,I’ve got a couple of drop feeders,my male Bcl Etso would only drop feed in the dark,but the last two months I can’t seem to fill him,he strike feeds,coils the works
As long as they feed I’m fine,my little motley drop fed for the first 3years but now he’s a strike feeder too like the rest
Keep up the good work and post some more pics


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It all comes down to learning YOUR snake's personality...you can never assume that all boas or all BPs or whatever kind will respond the same way.
We think we're teaching them but pretty much they're teaching US to pay attention- to what THEY need.

I'm delighted that your boa took her first meal now, Tpot...it should all get easier now. :gj:

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It was actually her second feeding. She took her first one out of the tongs the day after I got her (was a day after regular feeding at the pet store). I'm just happy she ate it overnight. I went with the "small mouse" size which was a bit bigger than a fuzzy. I'll do a fuzzy this weekend for her. Since she ate, she's been using her hides non-stop, otherwise she will just climb up on the thermostat probes and do all sorts of weird stuff.

I'll be getting some pictures up this evening if she's out and about. I'm going to assume she will probably start adventuring again after finishing up the digestion.

Everyone who requested it, here she is! First time out of her home since being home ~3 weeks ago. She seemed pretty relaxed and wanted to explore when I took her out. This is Sheila (if she's a girl, we'll find out this week).

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...6512/image.jpg

Ah looks so cute, so glad she,/he is settling in for you ,boas really are cool

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She's (?) adorable! (or he?) Either way, sweet noodle!

Much thanks! I'm going to find out probably this week what she or he is. Plan on bringing poop to the vet now that I have a good sample, and plan on getting a checkup done.

My next concern is when to expect shedding. She's grown quite a bit since I brought her home, she's gotta pop out of the old skin soon.

Shedding happens when it happens...no schedule, & nothing to waste time worrying about.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tpot

IT WORKED!!! So I tried feeding her a little bit bigger of a mouse last night, "small mouse" from Petsmart actually. She wouldn't take it as usual, so I decided to just leave it in there overnight. Came out this morning and she was all wrapped up in her hot hide with a nice fat belly.

Thank you for the suggestion!

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Isn't that the best feeling ever!!! Nothing better than to get a reluctant feeder eating again.
Congrats. Now you can breathe a bit. I've been there - I know how you feel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It all comes down to learning YOUR snake's personality...you can never assume that all boas or all BPs or whatever kind will respond the same way.
We think we're teaching them but pretty much they're teaching US to pay attention- to what THEY need.

...................... :gj:

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I sure hope a lot of folks read this. ^^^. This is a the answer to a HUGE part of the snake keeping puzzle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reinz

I sure hope a lot of folks read this. ^^^. This is a the answer to a HUGE part of the snake keeping puzzle.

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I can't agree more...after doing tons of research and reading before I got her, I had expectations of how she should act/feed/poop/etc. This just hasn't been accurate so far, and I can tell she's very happy doing things her way.

All snakes are so different and there isn’t a rule book that could be followed letter by letter as they sure like to throw a spanner in the works now and then .
It takes time to get to know your individual snake .
Won’t be long till you think to your self what the hell was I doing all that worrying about


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