Different way to get picky bp to eat?

We have a male bp that hasn't ate in about six months. We are trying different prey, p/k, f/t, and live. Nothing so far. A friend asked if it would be ok to put a female in with him to see if he had "competition" if he would eat. I have no idea if that would work or not. At this point I'm gettin kinda desperate. He hasn't lost any weight and still sheds occasionally, but I still want him to eat. His cage has been covered up and left alone for a week or so now (yes, I still do check him every day, water, temp, etc...). Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Newspaper...completely fill his enclosure with krinckled up newspaper. Ball it up and make sure if he moves inside his enclosure he is touching paper. This will add a extra security and has worked for me several times. After adding the paper allow a week before feeding.

OK I'll try that. Normally we put live mice in, the paper can be left in there then?

Yes...adds security and the thrill of the hunt. Has worked 100% for my picky eaters.

Thanks very much, I'm definitely going to try it.

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Originally Posted by FatBoy

Yes...adds security and the thrill of the hunt. Has worked 100% for my picky eaters.

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has this worked for adult animals? my biggest female has been spotty on feeding for months now. she's not losing any weight but she dosent eat. I may try this.

First step is a vet check with a fecal exam--some internal parasites can cause a loss of appetite, and snakes with them may be 'picky' or stop eating. Pinworm is a common culprit. Always rule that out when you have a snake that is behaving uncharacteristically. A male would be expected to be eating at this time of year--it's not the typical breeding season.

The crumpled newspaper trick has worked for me with starting very stubborn hatchlings.

Offer live, and a smaller than usual prey item (but not ridiculously small).

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

has this worked for adult animals? my biggest female has been spotty on feeding for months now. she's not losing any weight but she dosent eat. I may try this.

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Yes...has worked on everything from hatchlings to 1500g adults. I got an 800g male 6 months ago, did not eat through his whole quarentine, put him in his tub in my FB rack, still wouldn't eat. Put paper in last week and he ate yesterday. Once they get on a good schedule you can stop the paper. I do not disagree with the vet visit but that wouldn't be my first step. Most non-feeders are caused from bad husbandry, stress, illness....in that order. I would try and fix things in that order also.

Can anyone post a picture of how full of newspapers the bin / tub / cage should be? I have 2 babies that i want to take every precaution with

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...006_992688.jpg

This is the males tub I was talking about in the above post.

FatBoy, I had made the assumption that this was a snake he had for a long time, and that it had been eating and doing fine prior to this, and hadn't been moved. If that's not the case, then of course you're right, and simple stress could be the issue.

I've had newly acquired snakes take as long as 3 months to start feeding, and nothing was wrong except they just didn't feel comfortable yet in their new home.

I've also had newly acquired snakes eat the day after they arrived--they certainly are all individuals!

Good suggestion. I will keep this in mind in case I run into this problem...



Rob

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

FatBoy, I had made the assumption that this was a snake he had for a long time, and that it had been eating and doing fine prior to this, and hadn't been moved. If that's not the case, then of course you're right, and simple stress could be the issue.

I've had newly acquired snakes take as long as 3 months to start feeding, and nothing was wrong except they just didn't feel comfortable yet in their new home.

I've also had newly acquired snakes eat the day after they arrived--they certainly are all individuals!

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Yea...not knocking the vet visit at all, would just suggest atrying a 50 cent paper before a $50 vet visit. I have actually had this work on snakes I have had a while and have been good eaters in the past. It's amazing how simple little things will stress them out.

I've had success putting chicken broth on the prey item. My female goes nuts for chicken broth.

i saw Chewy @ BHB use tuna water...........i think

I will have to try this. Cleo stopped eating for around 4 months (yes I have it recorded) and has gotten pretty skinny, although she has always been skinny, gaining length instead of much girth. I took her to the vet, he said she wasn't too skinny yet, in excellent health otherwise, and an appitite stimulant was administered. It was also suggested to bath in warm water daily, and raise the temps a few degrees.

She still hasn't eaten, but now she is showing interest. I'll have to call and set up another appointment. She's too skinny to mess around. Kind of feel like a horrible person :tears:

What is this 'appetite stimulant' that vets keep giving to ball pythons? I've never heard of such a thing, and it sounds fishy to me. Can someone who's vet has done this find out what it is?