New BP Owner with Feeding Questions

[pixie0610]

Hey there! So I've had my girl Penelope (I'm assuming as of now she's a she) for about 2 weeks now, and I know she is still pretty young, definitely less than a year old. When I first got her, the place I purchased her from said they were feeding her every Friday and in a separate container. I got her on a Thursday and figured I would wait a couple days for her to get comfortable before trying to feed her. So the first time I fed her, I put her in a separate container, and offered her a thawed mouse with some tongs, and she struck it and missed, and then got it on the second time and ate with no problem. About 45 minutes later I put her back in her regular enclosure and all was well. So about a week later I did the same thing, and she didn't even strike at the mouse. Tried again a couple days later and same thing, no strike or anything. So tonight, I tried again...except this time I couldn't get near her to pick her up without the "S" shape and a couple of hisses. I offered her the mouse in her enclosure this time thinking she was just starving and wanted to eat rather than be handled and stressed out. She struck at the mouse once this time and missed, and that was it. Nothing after that.

I'm kind of at a loss on what to do. Try again in a couple days inside her regular tank, or try again in a couple of days in a separate bin? I've read so much conflicting information on both methods, and the main thing I see on feeding inside her regular tank is that BPs can start to associate every time you open the tank with feeding time, but I'm not necessarily worried about that since I regularly change her water and spot clean. I use aspen bedding for her and I'm afraid she will ingest some as some other information says can happen.

OR am I just overthinking this?? Any advice would be great! Thanks!

[Slitherysnek]

Do you heat your mouse up before offering it to her, if not try blowing on it with a hair dryer for a couple seconds just enough to get it so her heat sensors will pick it up. As for feeding in or out of her regular enclosure i feed my BP in a seperate 10 gal enclosure(ive had him for 5 weeks and he s never skipped a meal). Id keep feeding her out of enclosure.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Feeding in a separate enclosure is one of the oldest persistent myth when it comes to BP, the reality is it can be stressful enough for a BP to lead to refusal but it also put YOU at higher risk to get tagged since BP can be in feeding mode hours prior and after a meal.

The key with F/T is to have the prey warm enough, thaw at room temp near the enclosure (this will help entice the snake to eat) and warm the prey up with a hair dryer concentrating on the head, grab the prey from behind the neck and move it around as if it was alive (obviously in her tank.

Also to keep in mind you only have had her for 2 weeks and have offered food 3 times over the last week, the more you offer the more it will lead to refusal, if your snake refuses food only offer again on your next feeding schedule a week later.

Until she eats at least 3 to 5 times for you I would recommend you not to handle your BP except for maintenance.

Make sure your husbandry is optimum, roper size enclosure, proper temps, optimum security etc

[BMorrison]

What Deb said only time I've ever fed separate was my mojo girl because she'd only eat live rats and I could intervene. Feeding in enclosure is much better for the animal. They do know the difference between you reaching in and feeding time


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[blue roses]

First check all temps and humidity, make sure everything is spot on. Then If you are feeding FT, make sure the head of the prey item is at least 90-100 degrees before you offer it. I put my rats in a baggy and defrost to room temp, then using hot tap water put the baggy in hot water for 2 mins or so till rat is nice and warm then offer it. I feed in it viv, they seem more comfortable and after eating they can seek out their own place without having to wait to be put back. I use cypress mulch for bedding and have never had a problem, and both my bps are easy to handle and rarley strike, except for their food . Only offer once a week, you might be stressing her out too much. How much does she weigh, My 6 mo. girl was only 225g when she went on an 8 week food strike, I went into a panic, everyone here told me not to worry, so i took their advise and just kept offering food every week, and all of a sudden she just started eating. Just watch the temps and humidity, thats so important. good luck

[blk02ssmonte]

I feed mine usually on Friday nights and when I get a new one sometimes they wont eat for a week. Try feeding the next scheduled day and go from there. I feed right in the tub. I am always checking them at least once a day. They know when food is coming. My one bp smells the rats and grabs it soon as I open the tub, but any other day he is just fine.