One of our two adult BPs has been on a hunger strike since 10/28/12 nearly 5 months ago! After a few months of him not eating fresh kill or frozen thawed rat (both of which he previously had eaten), we took him to the local exotic pet store a few times to see if he would go after a live rat or mouse, but he showed little to no interest. After a visit there about 10 days ago, they said he looked a little dehydrated and suggested we try soaking him for 15 minutes every other day for about a week so we tried that. This past Sunday, he declined a frozen thawed rat, but I also was not very patient (had kids that I had to get to bed) and only gave him 10 minutes to try it. Last night, I stopped and picked up a fresh killed rat. I dangled it in front of both hides for a few minutes because I had no idea in which hide he was. When he didn't show himself, I dropped the rat in between the two hides, sealed up the tank, closed the lights in the room, and let him be. About 15 minutes later, I saw him poking his head out of the hot hide so I picked up the rat and dangled it in front of the hot hide. That seemed to scare him a little as he retreated back into the hide (his head had been in the entryway). I dropped the rat right in front of the hot hide, with the rat's head facing the entrance to the hide, and then sealed up the tank again, turned off the lights, and left the room. About 15 minutes later the rat had disappeared. I checked the tank this morning (including under both hides)--no rat!!!

I have no idea whether his hunger strike was caused by breeding season, my challenges in regulating the tank temperature and humidity, or something else. I realize BPs can go quite some time without eating, but this was pushing 5 months and getting me a little worried. I'm so relieved and happy that he finally ate that I wanted to share my good news.