For those of you who haven’t read my other thread, I am getting a bp from one of my friends who is no longer able to take care of him. This will be my first snake, so naturally, I have a lot of questions.

The girl who has the bp said she hadn’t fed him in almost six months. I’ve heard people mention snakes fasting, without loosing much weight. But what is the difference between a snake fasting, and the owner neglecting to feed it? Does the snake choose not to eat, or does the handler decide when the snake fasts?
And when I do bring him home, how will I get him to eat again? Is it as simple as tossing him a rat?

Thanks for you help!