BP just stares at f/t

[Keyboard Warrior]

He's been on a hunger strike for about 3 weeks now. I put a f/t in his tank, and he just stares at it intently. He has been for the past 3 hours, his head is just a few inches away from it, but he's not going for it. I figured if he wasn't interested he would find something else to preoccupy himself. But what does it mean if he's just staring at it intently?

[babyknees]

I would use some tongs and do some "rat acting". Grab it by the scruff and move it around so it looks alive...sometimes when they're just staring they're waiting for the right moment. You might also consider trying a live rodent if he continues to not eat.

[TheWinWizard]

In addition to the zombie dance use a hairdryer to warm up the rodent so it appears alive.

[ogdentrece]

My ball's off feed for now, and always does that, Until I start moving it. Then he gets so freaked out, runs away and balls up in the other corner.

[Keyboard Warrior]

He just stared, sticking his tongue out. Still seemed interested but never pounced.

That reminds me of another question. How do you know if your BP's just off feeding for the time being, or if its a husbandry problem, or something that you did to stress it out?

[ogdentrece]

Firstly, of course, check your husbandry. Check everything with the most accurate stuff you have. Then, monitor its weight and general health. If everything checks out together, chances are that its just off feed and aint starving itself

[Keyboard Warrior]

Temps and humidity are fine. I have however been using day and night lamps on dimmers to reduce brightness and heat. Reason why is because I can't provide a regular day and night schedule for him without it, because my room is blacked out. Don't know if this would bother him, but I wouldn't think so.

[iCandiBallPythons]

your ambient light is fine they do not need a day/night cycle. How long have you had the animal in question? Was it eating in your care prior to 3 weeks ago?

[OtterGoRun]

I would recheck all your husbandry first - heat, humidity, hides, water, tank size, everything. If all that checks out and you have left him alone long enough to de-stress, try swinging the prey around in front of him. I dangle mine by the tail and wiggle it around and that always provokes a feeding response (as long as the snake is hungry and not on a strike).