Quick run down....

1st Feed Attempt: Tanveer arrived 4/27/09. I left him alone for a week, offered him a med. F/T rat and he didn't eat BUT he then went into the shed period.

2nd Attempt: On 5/7/09 I attempted to feed and he didn't take the rat while dangling but did after I left it in the tub for about 5 minutes. Feed went well after he snuggled with it

3rd Attempt: On 5/17/09 he struck after I barely got the rat over the tub with tongs, coiled, and enjoyed his meal

4th Attempt: Today was a disappoinment. I dangled the rat and left it in the tub with him. After about 1 hour, I gave up and removed the rat. He was more interested in cruising around after his original introduction and sniff

He is an adult male (3ft. to 3 1/2 ft.) and weighed approx. 1223 grams on 4/27. My first and only snake. He is in a 20 gal. tank with back and sides covered. Plenty of vines, 2 hides, water bowl, repti bark etc... Temp on the warm side is 90 degrees and humidity ranges from 45% to 50%. I haven't changed anything between the 3rd and 4th attempts to feed. I didn't even handle him yesterday just to make sure he was ready to eat today.

I do feed in a seperate tub and feed a F/T med. rat every 10 days because that is what he is used to and I simply kept the routine the Rescue had him on. I do understand that it is okay to feed in his tank I was told that he is a very good eater.

So I have a couple questions:

1. Could it simply be a denial of food because he is just not hungry? I am just confused since nothing has changed in the routine or his tank etc...

2. Do I wait another 10 days before I attempt to feed him again?

3. Should I have left the rat with him longer then an hour? I just thought logically the rat would have lost it's heat by then so I removed it.

4. Any suggestions?

I did read a lot of previous Feed threads. I normally thaw the rat in hot tap water in a ziploc and then offer it. But I think I may then heat it up with a blow dryer like someone suggested in a previous post. Also maybe laying it on top of his tub to pre-scent.

Grrr. I was really hoping I would have a good eater all of the time even though with BP's I know the odds were slim