Hey all! I've got a near yearling bp here who has eaten 3 times in the last 6 weeks. He seems to be on a 2 week off 1 week on schedule. He's on small rats from perfect prey, and although I've not measured him since this started he was well over 600 grams the last time I checked. He took a while to get started and then was a beautiful feeder for months. For about 3 months now I've had to warm the meal, leave it with him overnight, and on occasion cover the tub entirely to get him to take his meals. He's been so finicky and sensitive lately that I don't handle him except for cleanings and I try to stay completely away and out of his habitat as much as possible for fear of stressing him. I caught him last night laying his head and upper body on top of the rat once lights are out (which is common), but he just doesn't eat. He actually tries to jump away from the prey if I lightly touch his body with it, no zombie dances for sure.

My temps range between 80-81 given time of day, he is on a firm 12 hour light cycle, humidity stays around 60% (beautiful sheds never an issue there), hot spot sits about 90-91 (I have caught it at 92 but never higher), ample hiding space with clean fresh water on ecoearth.

I should mention I believe that the feeding issues started when I began experimenting with bedding changes; first newspaper then shelf liner and on to ecoearth. Prior I had been using kritter krumbles with no issues. We've been on ecoearth for a solid 5 weeks now.

I'm curious about the behavior. Obviously, I realize that some bp do go through an off feed here and there for no particular reason. This guy is becoming more chore than anything since I can't interact with him and I'd like to remedy the problem. I'm not breeding in any capacity, pet only.

Fresh kills aren't an option, live isn't an option.