Upset,, Still Not Eating????

Now it's a day off of a month since my guy last ate. He's always been right on every week. My temps. are right on. He seems more active lately that's why I thought he might be hungry, but he just refuses.:confused: :confused:

How old ?
How much does it weigh?

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

How old ?
How much does it weigh?

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In addition to these questions...what, exactly, has he been eating and how often...up until the fast?

Also, what's his schedule like?


Have you been trying everyday? Pushing food him everyday or every couple of days will only stress him out and frustrate you. If you haven't already, try leaving him alone for an entire week---no handling, no opening his enclosure (except to clean), nothing.

What's his set-up like... that may be causing some stress too, depending...

---EDIT: ACK, Judy, you beat me!!! :)

he's about 18mths and he's been eating med. rats thawed and freakie frog suggested that I go back to small rats and I tried again this morn. but he won't eat. He seems more interested in moving around more. Even in his aquarium. As for weight I haven't weighed him.

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Originally Posted by codpy

he's about 18mths and he's been eating med. rats thawed and freakie frog suggested that I go back to small rats and I tried again this morn. but he won't eat. He seems more interested in moving around more. Even in his aquarium. As for weight I haven't weighed him.

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Well Med rats he might still be catching up like we talked about before. You might even try live mice. I got two of mine to eat last year by offering live mice.

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Originally Posted by codpy

he's about 18mths and he's been eating med. rats thawed and freakie frog suggested that I go back to small rats and I tried again this morn. but he won't eat. He seems more interested in moving around more. Even in his aquarium. As for weight I haven't weighed him.

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Try a mouse. And pre-scent the cage with a little bit of stinky mouse bedding. I did this with mine (who was a solid rat eater up until a sudden fast I can only attribute to "teen angst") and she hit that mouse faster than you can imagine...and has been happily gobbling them up ever since. I could probably switch her back to small rats easily now because her appetite is increasingly voracious and I think she'd eat anything, but for now, mice are simply more convenient for me to work with.

I've never fed live before. I thought it wasn't a good thing cause it could bite and cause infection. This guy has only had thawed.

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Originally Posted by codpy

Now it's a day off of a month since my guy last ate. He's always been right on every week. My temps. are right on. He seems more active lately that's why I thought he might be hungry, but he just refuses.:confused: :confused:

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If it's not a hatchling he is probably just going into his winter fast. Even if your temps are the same in your cage, the snake can sense the change in season and will probably go off feed every year at this time. Most of my males stop eating in October and don't start back up until around May whether I cycle them or not.

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Originally Posted by codpy

I've never fed live before. I thought it wasn't a good thing cause it could bite and cause infection. This guy has only had thawed.

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Yea an injury can happen but if done properly the risk is way WAY less. All mine eat live and I haven't had a bite in 3 years.

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Originally Posted by codpy

I've never fed live before. I thought it wasn't a good thing cause it could bite and cause infection. This guy has only had thawed.

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Well, if he's done well on thawed this long....I don't think you need to change methods just yet. A month of fasting is nothing for a healthy BP.

Instead, try a f/t mouse...and maybe see if you can get some "fresh" stinky mouse bedding from a local pet store to scent his cage with. Just a pinch of it in the corner will likely get him worked up...then put the freshly warmed mouse offering near the same corner.

This is where weighing is important. If they quit eating and loose very little weight no problem. If they quit eating and loose tons of weight. HUGE problem. Get you a digi scale that will weight in grams, Target has them for like 25.00 and start keeping track of weights. I weigh before a feed and after a poo some time every month. Just a thought

I usually always take him out of his aqu. to eat cause he has mulched walnut shell bedding and I don't want him to eat that stuff. I'm just kind of shocked that he is always right on his food then all of a sudden he won't eat. I think it bothers me more than him. LOL

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Originally Posted by codpy

I usually always take him out of his aqu. to eat cause he has mulched walnut shell bedding and I don't want him to eat that stuff. I'm just kind of shocked that he is always right on his food then all of a sudden he won't eat. I think it bothers me more than him. LOL

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I'd ditch the walnut shell stuff. I've never heard a single redeeming thing about it...and plenty of not so good things.

You're most likely right that it bothers you way more than it does him. This is fairly typical BP behavior. And honestly...so long as he's at a healthy weight and size, you don't even have to try any of these suggestions...you can just wait him out. Reduce the food offerings to every two weeks and just continue to follow your normal feeding routine until he decides to start eating again.

(But the mouse bedding and such can still work fine in a separate feeding box if you do want to try it.)

how much do digital scales run?

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Originally Posted by codpy

how much do digital scales run?

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I got mine for 25.00 from target. Goes up to 5000 grams and is accurate to +/- .5 grams :D

Ok I'll pick up a scale tomorrow and weigh him and give you exact weight and length etc. then I guess I'll have to wait him out. Thanks for all your help again.

Freakie frog (?) makes a good point. We had a female WC that didn't eat for several months, BUT she only lost about 90 grams. Yes she was a big girl, but she refused many many feedings, but I guess you could call it a healthy fast. I worried constantly that she may be losing more weight, but at the end of it all she lost about one big turd in weight.

How long have you had this snake if I may ask?

approx. a year and a half

More active + not eating + autumn...could be love! <lol>

my friends ball hasnt eaten in close to 10 months but has lost little weight, you have to remember that in the wild snakes are not used to a feeding schedule and being offered food so often, they may be overwhelmed by soo much food. Give the lil guy a break, he will eventually decide that hes going to fall back into schedule, i wouldnt panic after 1 missed feeding. good luck!

So when these snakes go off-feed for the winter do you still offer a meal every few weeks?

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Originally Posted by Earl

So when these snakes go off-feed for the winter do you still offer a meal every few weeks?

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Yes I offer every week. I let the fact that they aren't eating be up to them.

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Originally Posted by pfan151

If it's not a hatchling he is probably just going into his winter fast. Even if your temps are the same in your cage, the snake can sense the change in season and will probably go off feed every year at this time. Most of my males stop eating in October and don't start back up until around May whether I cycle them or not.

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I agree with the above. I'd keep offering him food weekly whether he refuses or not.

You said he's been active. Thats a pretty good sign he very well may be going into breeding mode and just isn't too worried about feeding. He's too busy searching for a mate. IMO.
Larry