Weight loss during a fast

[kc261]

I've heard the number 10% before, and yours hasn't lost that much yet. Also, the 10% would only start once your snake is "empty". They can poop big poos that are more than 10% of their weight.

But, as has been pointed out, I'd go more by how he looks, acts, and feels than by any number. Sounds to me like yours is perfectly fine. Remember there have been cases of BPs going over a year without eating, then starting eating again, and being perfectly fine the entire time.

As far as the striking then not eating thing, I believe that is almost always a security issue. Snakes are very vulnerable when they are in the middle of swallowing, so if they don't feel secure enough, they may decide not to eat. Double check everything to make sure you husbandry is spot-on. Make sure he has at least 2 nice snug hides if he's in a tank or other open type set-up. Lots of people don't offer hides to their snakes in tubs, but I always do to anyone who is on a hunger strike. Another good thing is to clutter up the enclosure with stuff like crumbled newspaper or artificial foliage, which allows the snake to feel partially hidden even when not in a hide. Offer food to this guy last, then turn out the lights and go out of the room. If you are concerned that he is stressed enough by you feeding the other snakes that it might be affecting his eating, consider feeding him on a different day.

I also advise that you offer food less often to a snake on a hunger strike. Maybe once every 2 weeks. Offering food that the snake does not want (or does want but isn't feeling secure enough to eat) just stresses the snake. And there is also some speculation that it just gets the snake in the habit of refusing. The only upside to continuing to offer food on the normal schedule (whatever it was for the snake in question, weekly, every 5 days, whatever) is that maybe the snake gets it's first meal at the end of the fast 7 - 9 days earlier. 7 - 9 days is NOTHING to a fasting BP, and not worth the potential risks on the flip side.