Not eating by himself

I got my BP back in October 06 and he has never eaten food of his own accord, I have always had to hand feed him. When I first got him I went back to the shop and asked about his refusing food and they showed me how to hand feed and said that he was a reluctant feeder and that some BP's can be like that.
Well four month's later and it's no better, I left him alone over xmas period in case he was just off his food because of winter time.
He will only swallow pinky mice even though his body girth is well over rat pup width, if I try rat pup's or fuzzy mice he will fight it and regurgitate if I don't gently encourage him to swallow,(I wet my finger and gently stroke under his chin/throat and eventually the rodent will go down), I don't like doing this so I have gone back to 4 or 5 pinkies.
I have also tried leaving rodents in his viv overnight and other such tactics.
I am a very patient person but will this situation get better, I only want the best for him.
I also have 2 cornsnakes who eat readily. Any ideas folks

Have you tried live at all? or have you just left f/t in his tank? Sometimes it takes some tongs and a little dangling.

Chase, he's in the UK, it's illegal to feed live there.


What size enclosure do you have him in? How are you measuring temps? Is his enclosure in a high or low traffic area? How often do you handle him? What are your temps on your cool and warm side? How do you warm up your prey, and do you offer it on tongs and "dance" it a little in front of him?

No I havn't tried live yet, just left f/t in the tank, although I warmed it first and left in a warm spot, and the tongs dangling thing, tried that too, he just backs up as though I just
stuck a colt .45 in his face or offered him a thistle....

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Chase, he's in the UK, it's illegal to feed live there.


What size enclosure do you have him in? How are you measuring temps? Is his enclosure in a high or low traffic area? How often do you handle him? What are your temps on your cool and warm side? How do you warm up your prey, and do you offer it on tongs and "dance" it a little in front of him?

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The enclosure is 18"X18" and not particularly high traffic, I have the Corns in exactly the same type viv right next door to him, the temps go from 23' cool side 28' hot side, and he gets handled about 2-3 times a week with his water changes every day he is lively enough.
Like I said the corns are in exactly the same setup and eat greedily

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Originally Posted by t0m541

The enclosure is 18"X18" and not particularly high traffic, I have the Corns in exactly the same type viv right next door to him, the temps go from 23' cool side 28' hot side, and he gets handled about 2-3 times a week with his water changes every day he is lively enough.
Like I said the corns are in exactly the same setup and eat greedily

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Feeding and refusal can be the result of husbadry issues

Your temps are off they should be 27-29 on the cool side and 32.5-34.5 on the warm side so I say there is definitely something here that need adjustment.

Do you use a digital thermometer/hydrometer

Do you know your humidity level?

Do you have tight hides that he can snug in (All the sides touching your BP's body)

As far as the enclosure I would try to provide one with low ceiling, ideal would be a plastic tub for added security.

I would make the necessary adjustments, and not handle him for 7 to 10 days ecept for cleaning the enclosure and then try to offer food again once he is adjusted.

He has cave/hide that is snug on him, I use a digital therm, I will increase the heating for him and see what he's like after about a week. His viv is only 18" high but it has a lot of branches/leaves coverage giving it an enclosed feeling, he does enjoy climbing sometimes he will be up in the tree

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Originally Posted by t0m541

He has cave/hide that is snug on him

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Does he have 1 or 2 hides? Because in case there is only one you need to have 2 identical hides one on the cool side one on the warm side.

One trick you can use is crumble newspaper in the enclosure to make him feel more secure.

just the one on the warm side, he spends most of his time in it but then if he's feeling a little chilly I guess he will, I'll give your advice a go, 2 hides and warming up the viv a few more degrees over the week or so. All I want is a happy snake, I have a bit of a zoo and they all want for nothing if it makes them content in their captive enviroment

I had one like that .... I finally tried live & she snapped it right up & hasn't missed a meal since



I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't have fed her live .... keep trying with the f/t, I guess

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Originally Posted by t0m541

just the one on the warm side, he spends most of his time in it but then if he's feeling a little chilly I guess he will, I'll give your advice a go, 2 hides and warming up the viv a few more degrees over the week or so. All I want is a happy snake, I have a bit of a zoo and they all want for nothing if it makes them content in their captive enviroment

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He spends most of his time in the one hide, because it's his only secure area, so offering two identical hides allows him to thermoregulate between cool and warm. They will choose security over thermoregulating.

I'm glad Deborah helped, since I didn't know the celsius to fahrenheit conversion! So, if it's too cool, that's another reason he's not eating for you. All good advice offered so far, I'd work on fixing your husbandry issues (getting temps corrected and measured with a digital thermometer, two identical SNUG hides, minimal handling, etc) and hopefully he'll start eating on his own for you!