Need some help/advice.....

[L.West]

I recently adopted a 5 year old Male BP. The previous owner had told me that he once went on a year long fast but eventually went back on feed - he will only eat live.

I've had him for a month now and can not get him to eat. He is in a CB-70 rack with no hides (since I was told that he didn't use hides with the previous owner).

I've been offering him a live rat once a week but he shows no interest so far.

Is there anything else I can do or try to get this boy eating. He is 1,800 grams right now - a real chunk.

For the record, his temps are 90 hot side, 80 cool side, humidity 60% with Aspen bedding.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer.

[iCandiBallPythons]

When is the last time he ate? Is it possible that he could be on a fast now? I would try leaving a PK or F/T in the bin over night, lay it across the hot spot in the back.

[L.West]

He had eaten for the last owner one week prior to me getting him - so I waited about 10 days to let him settle in but he wouldn't eat.

I've tried live, and even left a f/t in his tub over night - he still wouldn't eat.

I just can't figure it out - except that he is known for going on long fast and that is possibly what I am up against.

Just wanted to see if anything obvious jumped out at anyone as to why he wasn't eating. He could just be acting like a typical BP.

Thanks

[AkHerps]

Have you tried mice?

[ClarkT]

How much do you pre-scent for him to eat? That has helped out with our problem feeders. Good Luck. Hope he starts eating for you.

[L.West]

About pre-scenting, I put the rat in a small plastic carrier and place it right in front of his tub - just below the vent holes - so I know he must smell it. I leave it there for at least an hour - but he doesn't seem to notice.

Last night was another failed attempt - I put the live rat in there and he did nothing. Very frustrating.

I have one snake - a Mojave that will eat anything at anytime - he is amazing. They are all kept in identical setups - I just don't get it.

[Jeo123]

I'd try offering him a hide anyway. That sounds really unusual for a snake not to use a hide at all. He may not be eating because he feels he doesn't have a safe place to hang out and digest. Snakes are most vulnerable eating and immediately after eating, which is why stress will make them regurgitate... they don't want to worry about digesting while they're afraid for their life.

[L.West]

Hey Jeo123, should I put just one hide in - he needs a pretty big hide because he is a big boy. Should the one hide go on the hot side??

Thanks for the suggestion - I will certainly try it.

Should I wait one or two weeks before trying again.

One concern is though - when I feed live, I take hides out of the tub while feeding to make more room and to prevent the rat from going into the hide - is this correct - maybe I am doing it all wrong. I do have another female who eats live but she has two hides in her tub - but I take them out at feeding time - she does fine.

[anatess]

Jot down his weight. I wouldn't worry overmuch until you notice over 10% of weight loss. He could be just needing extra time to get used to his surroundings. Leave him alone except for regular maintenance. Offer food every 10 days (the same prey item and size as the previous owner) and just wait it out unless you notice weight loss.

Good luck.

[Jeo123]

If you were going to go with just one hide, I'd split the difference and put it in the middle for now. See if he uses it first, then worry about allowing him to choose his temperature later. My guess is that if this really is the issue, he'll go for the hide first and then worry about his temperature later.

But as for feeding, it's not a bad idea to take out the hide, especially if it's a problem eater. The rat would probably find the hide pretty quickly if you're snake isn't using it and once he's in there, he definitely has the advantage over your snake... wouldn't make for a pretty scene.