What little thing am I missing that's preventing my bp from eating?

[frankykeno]

One of the things that may work to get him interested in feeding again is to try and get hold of some live rat fuzzies (also known as rat crawlers). This is the stage right before their eyes open but they are fully furred - about 10 to 14 days of age. Since they have little to no erupted teeth at this point they are quite safe to leave in overnight with your snake. I know most of my adults just can't seem to resist a chubby rat fuzzy and I often use those to kick start a feeding response. A couple of those don't really make a meal for a bigger BP but if they "snack" on them it does seem to get their mind back on feed and get their digestive process re-activating after a fast.

[starfire]

7/6/2009 update:

Though unable to entice my snake to eat a live fuzzy, I did --finally-- get him to eat a large f/t mouse last night. A far cry from his usual f/t medium rat, but I'll take any small victory.

Question: Do I offer him another large f/t mouse tonight or during the next couple of days, or do I wait until his regular feeding day (Sunday) and try a f/t small or medium rat?

I usually offer him f/t medium rats but as you know, have been trying a variety of prey sizes and types to see if I could stimulate him to eat. I do not want to stress him... but should I capitalize on this show of appetite?

Thank you for your experience and time.

[Wh00h0069]

7/6/2009 update:

Though unable to entice my snake to eat a live fuzzy, I did --finally-- get him to eat a large f/t mouse last night. A far cry from his usual f/t medium rat, but I'll take any small victory.

Question: Do I offer him another large f/t mouse tonight or during the next couple of days, or do I wait until his regular feeding day (Sunday) and try a f/t small or medium rat?

I usually offer him f/t medium rats but as you know, have been trying a variety of prey sizes and types to see if I could stimulate him to eat. I do not want to stress him... but should I capitalize on this show of appetite?

Thank you for your experience and time.

Hi, that is great news. Grats on getting him to eat! Since the meal is smaller than his regular meal, I would either put him on an every five day feeding schedule, or better yet feed him two large mice every seven days until he start taking f/t again. Also you may only need to feed him one small f/t rat every seven days, instead of a medium. That will keep him eating more constantly for you.

Keep us updated.

[frankykeno]

Star, since he's a good sized male BP I wouldn't at all worry about his small weight losses. Overall he's really not far below his normal weight range. Also he is a male so he may really never need more than a small to a small/medium rat. These snakes are very self-regulating so if we overdo it as owners, they will simply adjust their feeding needs to the excess of prey. In other words, they will fast. BP's are rarely if ever seen to be obese, at least in my experience. Also as an adult male he may well eventually settle into an every other week or every 10 day feeding schedule. Just work with him to find what prey type and size works to encourage him to be a consistent and strong hunter.

For now though, since you found what triggered a feeding I'd say don't change a thing. Better you get a smaller than normal feeding into him regularily then you change anything right now and trigger another refusal. I'd stick with exactly what you did as far as prey, feeding style, routines on feeding day, etc. Change nothing is my best advise right now. BP's do well with routines and can react negatively to changes in what they "know".

Once you have a good number of successful feedings going on then very slowly up his prey size a bit. Be cautious, be patient, this certainly doesn't sound like a snake that is starving so you have oodles of time on your side to sort him out.

[Vypyrz]

Do you have any females in the other tubs?

[starfire]

Jo, thank you for an excellent action---or rather inaction---plan. That's exactly what I will do.

Vypyrz, my snake's a bachelor living solo... has a few calendars on the wall of females in shed, but that's about all....

[frankykeno]

Vypyrz, my snake's a bachelor living solo... has a few calendars on the wall of females in shed, but that's about all....

Omg HAHAHAHAHAHA! Star that's a priceless response, I'm loving it! If there's anything a ball python owner or breeder needs it's patience AND a good sense of humor! Good for you.

As far as my advice, sometimes Star I've found that the best action is no action at all. Sometimes it's best to step back, see the bigger picture, assess the whole situation and allow the snake time to show you what it needs. Snakes aren't as much a quick reaction pet as dogs and cats. They require tons of patience and an ability to think outside the normal "pet" experience. You'll get there, we all do.

[starfire]

07 14 2009 update: Just wanted to let you know that the plan is working... thanks to all of you. On feeding day this week, my snake ate another f/t large mouse. Most significantly, he had a strong feeding response. In my initial post I commented that last fall he was eating, but he would only eat if I left the f/t prey in the tub and closed it up overnight. Ditto for the sporadic meals he took this spring. However, yesterday he hit that dangling, jiggling mouse like a freight train and gave a mighty squeeze. First time I've seen interest like that since last summer. I'm encouraged.

The plan is working; that's two weeks in a row, and I will continue to proceed very s-l-o-w-l-y. Goal is to establish a solid eating pattern from week to week. A large mouse is just an amuse-bouche for an adult male bp, but a regular something beats a regular nothing every time.

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share this good news. When you run down the street laughing and waving your arms, shouting "My snake ate! My snake ate!" people just point and stare---and you get written up by the HOA. This forum is much more forgiving.

[Patricia]

Aww, it's good to hear such a happy update. I was wondering how your snakey was coming along. A huge sigh of relief for you, I'll bet! Keep us posted!

[SatanicIntention]

All of my snakes get mice, even the big females (2500g+). They don't need rats. You should feed what they will eat on a consistent basis. Adult males generally get 2 large adult mice every 10-14 days depending on the individual snake. Younger males may get more if preparing for breeding season.