Burm's strange feeding response

[JoshSloane]

Hey All,

So my juvenile albino burm has developed a strange feeding response. When I first got him, he fed every time with no issues. Now he periscopes up to investigate the rodent, completely interested in it, yet doesn't strike right away. I noticed that when I hold the f/t rodent vertically over his head, almost behind him, he usually will grab it. However, about half of the time he refuses and wont eat. He also refused a live meal recently as well. In all he has eaten about 4 times in the last 6 weeks.

His temperatures are all perfect, and he shows absolutely no signs of illness. He sheds regularly and is active and alert.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced this strange feeding pattern.

[Albert Clark]

I know you said the temps were all good. Are you including the humidity percentage as well? I think if that's ok then I would just go with the next scheduled feeding and retry. Especially if you ruled out the illness potential. Whatever your ambient is why don't you bump up the ambient temp a few degrees? Oh, I don't or never owned a Burmese but I think this is worth a try. Good luck. Hope this helps.

[JoshSloane]

I know you said the temps were all good. Are you including the humidity percentage as well? I think if that's ok then I would just go with the next scheduled feeding and retry. Especially if you ruled out the illness potential. Whatever your ambient is why don't you bump up the ambient temp a few degrees? Oh, I don't or never owned a Burmese but I think this is worth a try. Good luck. Hope this helps.

Thanks Albert. His humidity is good as well. My ambient temps in my snake room sit at about 78 deg, ironically he was eating better when my ambients were lower for a short time. Burms have a reputation as voracious feeders, so this feels strange.

The weirdest thing is that he doesn't strike until he is almost past vertical, falling backwards, and then snatches the rat at that time.

[bcr229]

I would offer a feeder every two weeks instead of weekly for a while. He may just be more interested in finding a girlfriend than in eating at the moment.

[JoshSloane]

That's an interesting thought Bcr. I wonder if it is seasonal changes that is affecting his feeding. He explores the cage at night, seemingly looking for food.

[bcr229]

My male retic went off food for about three months last year. It stinks b/c he eats 3-4 pound rabbits and my next largest snake was only up to 1 pound rabbits, so there's no backup available if he refuses the feeder.

At least at the rate my mainland female is growing that won't be a problem after this summer.

[JoshSloane]

Oh wow that would suck to have to waste those expensive feeders. I am going to try again today and see what happens.

[Andylee11]

Wow that is strange . My Burms feed quite ferociously . I sure hope he's on track and eating well for you by now .

[Aztec4mia]

Burms can go off feed just like balls, just skip a feeding and try again(going along that everything alse is goood, humidity I feel burms are more forgiving) maybe get with burm owners in your area, altitude could be a factor in this case (I'm in SoCal). If my burms did not take a pre-killed from the tongs, I would just leave it in the tank on the warm side and usually it would be gone within the hour. Most are garbage disposals, but there are always exceptions to the norm.