Looks interested, but doesn't strike.

[scalrtn]

My Normal yearling has generally been a great feeder on f/t rat pups. His last meal was Nov. 11, and he's refused feeds the last 3 weeks.

I'm aware of the problem feeder thread, and his hides have been changed, temps are fine, etc.. I also know it's normal for bps to go off-feed in colder weather I've tried scenting the pups with mouse bedding (as was done the last feed Nov. 11), and scent the room prior to the attempts with a blow-dryer.

What's strange is his normal behavior of coming out of his hide when the room is scented with the blow-dryer is still there, and he even goes into striking pose...but he just won't strike. He's currently on a bed of cypress mulch...someone wrote they had success changing to Newspaper bedding, and I might try that. The question I have is, when and if your snakes go off-feed, to any of them behave the same way, i.e. show interest, but just fail to strike ?

[scalrtn]

To update this thread, my snake took two f/t adult mice on Dec. 4 and 11 of 2014, but refused feeds for the following 8 weeks. He'd initially respond to room scents with a blow-dryer, but would never strike, and would simply crawl away. Today, he responded to the room scenting, but again wouldn't strike. I left a f/t small mouse and rat pup at the opening of his hide, (with some time intervening each), left him alone and he took both.

Curious if he'll ever strike, and if other owners have bp's that have stopped striking, but continue to feed if left with prey.....

[Daigga]

Sounds like my cinnamon. She'll take food maybe once a month, but never from the tongs or live. I have to leave a dead rat in with her overnight for her to even have a chance at eating, and she picks and chooses when she feels like eating. A little annoying, but balls will be balls I suppose.