Lokks Like Feeding Problems already

[beaglegod]

Man I tought I could at least avoid this for a little while but these guys are sooooo sensitive. I got my wife convinced to watch Plissken eat, so I warmed up a thoughed mouse, took out the water bowl and one of the hides(the one on the cool side wich he rarely uses, I turned the lights in the room up a little so she could see, put the mouse in with a pair of tongs and nothin.

So I tried wiggling the mose a tiny bit wich seemed to make him tense up....nothin.

So I took the mouse out and tried warming it up a little more, put it back in , nothin. He snifffed it forever but eventualy just crawled over it.
Oh well I guess I shoulda been expecting this. :cry:

[JLC]

Many snakes don't like to eat while being watched. I can't get Caesar to eat if there is too much light in the room and if he thinks I'm anywhere close. (Of course, right now I can't get him to eat at all...but that's a whole 'nuther thread somewhere else!) Anyhow...try giving him a lot more privacy and maybe he'll go for it?

[ballpythonandragon]

hello i also tried that to, mine ate a thawed rat one time then he wont eat another for me. Sometimes he wont even eat his live rats. I really want to get him to eat thawed can anyone help me please. thanks Aaron

[beaglegod]

Yep you were right Judy (again something I shoud have figured out :wink once I turned the lights out and gave him some solo time he ate like a champ. Thanx for that helpful hint.

In fact I think he was still hungry after he ate, the prey item disapeared in him no sign of it anywhere in him and he was out cruising as if looking for more food as aposed to checking the top out for ways out. I wonder if small rats are in order, I just measured him 2 days ago and hes 21 inches.

[JLC]

Always glad to help!
Unfortunately, I don't have enough personal experience with bp's to suggest specific feeding sizes. I'm sure someone else will chime in, though.

[Marla]

Paul, the prey item should be big enough to leave a noticeable lump in Plissken's belly but small enough that he can swallow it. At 21" an adult mouse ought to fit the bill. The feeding response doesn't typically shut down immediately after they eat, though, and mine will all cruise after eating but generally refuse a second prey item. Glad you got him to eat!

Aaron, we might be able to help, but a little more info would be useful. How old is your bp, how long have you had him, how often does he normally eat, what size prey does he normally eat, etc.?

[beaglegod]

Thanks Marla for the info, I guess what I translated as "gimme more"
is simply his feeding response winding down slowly.

[Marla]

Most likely that is correct. However, you can certainly try feeding two prey items to see what he does. He may take a second one from you and it shouldn't hurt to try (though I'd definitely wait a couple of days longer than normal before feeding again if he does).