Moody and off Feed

[JRLongton]

So, my first BP, Julian, has always been wonderful. I got him when he was just a few months old. Now he's a big boy and almost two years old. He's always had an excellent disposition and been a great eater from day one. But this winter his personality has turned and he isn't eating.

His last meal was nearly two months ago and several times he's hissed at me when I was changing his water or taking him out for handling.

I'm not worried at all as I know full well that BPs do this sometimes. It just hasn't happened with any of mine yet.

But I do want to ask if other keepers have experienced similar behavior with their male BPs during winter months. And if so, how long does it usually last?

[Sonny1318]

I have only kept males and they can go off feed as early as late December and can take four to six months before they start with any regularity. Taking food only once or twice during that period. During that time I only offer once a month. What are you feeding him and how often? And what’s his weight?

[Bogertophis]

When I kept male BPs there wasn't any "routine" about their fasting...that would have been nice, lol. Some just do it more than others.

[JRLongton]

He typically eats small rats. the worst thing about this phase is the waste of food animals. I have no great affection for rats, but I'd prefer not to waste their lives. And none of my other snakes are large enough for small rats.

I have no idea what his weight is now. I stopped weighing him some time ago, there just seemed to be little point as he's always done well and I don't breed. He doesn't appear to have lost any weight.

Like I said, I'm not worried at all as this behavior seems normal. Just need to wait it out. Do the females do this also?

[Bogertophis]

Females can do this also, but it's usually more of a male thing. It wouldn't be so frustrating if all BPs reacted the same way so we'd know what's going on.

[Craiga 01453]

I've never experienced any changes in their moods during food strikes, but I've definitely had food strikes.

I only offer every 3-4 weeks once they start refusing.

Also, I toss any refusals (that the other snakes can't eat) outside. They're always home the next day, so some neighborhood animal is eating them and they aren't a complete waste.