Another BP not eating thread

[deftones2015]

I bought this full grown adult about 4 weeks ago. I tried feeding him a rat 2 weeks after purchase and he wouldn't touch it. I adjusted some things in the husbandry and tried again last night which would be another 2 weeks. He just wont eat. I have tried diff sized rats, pre-killed even on the first rat, he just wont touch them.

The guy I bought him from said he bought him as part of a collection from another person. Said he ate a rat 2 weeks prior to my purchase of him.

Not sure on age but he is about 1500 gram male

Husbandry is as follows
41 quart sterilite tub
Hot side 95 basking cold side 78-82
Humidity 40-45%
On a thin layer of aspin
One hide that fits him perfectly on hot side and same one on cold side (2 diff hides)
He is exposed to light for 10 hrs a day
Hasn't really been handled since I bought him since he still hasn't ate

Any ideas?

[fredanthony]

Have you tried mice? I had one like that. Tried mice and he took it. Eat great (rats) since. Also try leaving the pre-killed in over night.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Adults are known to fast during the winter, while many usually resume feeding in the spring some might take a little longer.

Stress of new environment also seem to affect adults a little more than it does younger individuals.

With the info you are providing there is nothing to worry about and really nothing you can do beside waiting it out.

It could last a few more weeks a few more months I know it's frustrating but that is not unusual to go through this at this time of the year.

[deftones2015]

It's very frustrating. I don't mind him not eating but I REALLY don't want to keep a live rat around the house for more than a day lol. I can't return it to the pet store so I'm not sure what to do about that. I may try killing this rat too and leave it in the enclosure over night. If that doesn't work I may try a mouse. If he doesn't eat that, at least I can feed the mouse to my corn snake. I had a ball python a while back I bought as a hatchling and he/she ate like a champ. Ate at EVERY offering, but unfortunate circumstances forced me to move and I couldn't take him with me. I gave him to a friend of my girlfriends and she said I could have him back when I got a place. Well when I went back to get him she told me she sold him because he tried to eat her new kitten.

[Crazy4Herps]

Irritating as it is (and trust me, I know how extraordinarily frustrating it is!), you have nothing to worry about. He sounds like a big, healthy guy and your husbandry is spot on. Fasts, especially this time of year, are absolutely normal and nothing to worry about.

I don't mind him not eating but I REALLY don't want to keep a live rat around the house for more than a day lol.

The easy solution? Buy a couple of blood pythons or boas. Or both. I have a couple of appointed garbage disposals to take care of whatever my ball pythons don't eat. It's been ages since I've thrown out a frozen rat or kept a live one for more than a few hours!

But in all seriousness, as soon as you find a way to get rid of the live rat you have, I'd try some live mice. One of my girls fasts every winter and then has to be weaned onto food again, starting with live mice and working her way up to frozen rats. I don't know why; I think maybe small mice are less intimidating to her digestive system.

[deftones2015]

I'll try the mice approach. I just killed the rat (about an hr ago) I put the python and the rat in a small tub together for about 30-40 minutes and NOTHING. I am going to leave the dead rat in the tub over night and see what happens. It acts like it wants it, gets in the strike pose flicks it's tongue at the rat a bunch then goes back into the ball position. Do blood pythons require the same husbandry? I guess I shouldn't ask because I'm going to google after this is posted lol. I can always use a reason to buy a snake lol

[Crazy4Herps]

Husbandry for bloods is slightly different, lower temps, higher humidity, bigger cages, etc, but temperament is the biggest difference between bloods and balls. Bloods tend to be kinda tricky when they're young, but they calm down.

I can always use a reason to buy a snake lol

Me too!

[fredanthony]

I'll try the mice approach. I just killed the rat (about an hr ago) I put the python and the rat in a small tub together for about 30-40 minutes and NOTHING. I am going to leave the dead rat in the tub over night and see what happens. It acts like it wants it, gets in the strike pose flicks it's tongue at the rat a bunch then goes back into the ball position. Do blood pythons require the same husbandry? I guess I shouldn't ask because I'm going to google after this is posted lol. I can always use a reason to buy a snake lol

Just leave it over night. If he's hungry he'll take it. I not I would try the mice. It's worked for me.. Good luck, I think we've all been there. Some with snakes that haven't eaten in months. I he doesn't eat just monitor his weight as many have stated bps will go off feed this time of year.

[Artemis69]

If you have a live rat the snake wont eat, that you cant return, you can put the rat in a covered plastic tub of some kind and put some dry ice in there with it. It will kill the rat, and you can put it in a baggie in the freezer for later use.


My snake had a few issues eating and I tried this and havent had a problem since... ever. Im sure some will say this is bad and will stress out the snake, but it worked for me.

I buy frozen thawed (never more than 3 weeks old). My snake was getting a bit picky and went a couple months without eating. She'd check the rat out but wouldnt eat.

One day, I hung the rat in front of him, and began tapping my snake "lightly" on the nose with the rat. After a few taps, she lashed out and snabbed the rat. The following week, the same. Was curious but wouldnt eat, lightly tapped her on the nose with the rat and she quickly lashed out and grabbed him.

I only had to do this twice and ever since, my snake will always grab what I put in there for her - usually very quickly. I never had to dangle a rat in front of her for more than a few seconds.

Good luck.