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[TONYDM41684]

My bp, has not eaten in three weeks. I know that this can be normal, but I am still conserned. She was eaten fine then I switched from pre killed mice to p/k rats. Then her feeding got al messed up. She started to eat every ten days. Then once every two weeks. Now nothing. I made sure that her temps are right and that her humidity is right. I thought that her temp was a little high so reduced it to 90 on hot and 80 on cool. Humidity is around 50% but I give a good spray three times a day. I tought that with the high temps and low humidity she was dehydrated. So fixed the problem and she still will not eat. She has lightened up a little and thinned out a little but does not look sick. I think that she is going to get long before she gets thick. I have tried to feed her in three different tanks other than her own, I have tried going back to mice I have tried going back to live. Nothing works. The other bp I have is the most aggresive eater I have ever seen. As soon as I put her in the feed tank she goes into a mode and wants to kill. Question is what do I do. Wait it out? I am loosing my patience. I really don't want to get rid of her but my girlfriend is getting tired of throwing away dead mice and rats and lossing the money which isn't much. The other bp is at the same condition but eats great. Should i just wait a month and then try again or keep trying every week.

[zennygirl]

don't get rid of her, a drastic change in situation would seem like it would give her no chance. how often are you attempting feedings? more than once a week?

[UberAlice]

Growing pains possibly? It's not unusual for snakes to randomly go into feed strikes, especially Balls. The more you attempt to feed, change temps, etc. the more stressed she'll get. My BP Ruby, who was my first, went 4 weeks without eating once. Why? Not a clue! She just decided not to eat.
Until she starts to show signs of distinct weight loss, I wouldn't worry. She'll eat when she's ready. Maybe she just needs some more time to get her bearings.
By the way, if you've p/k a rat and she won't take it, you can just freeze it and try again later rather than throwing it out, so long as it's been dead less than say 20 minutes. Just whack, dangle, and if she won't take it then pop it in the freezer.

[kontron]

once a week dangle a hamburger in your g/f's face. if she doesnt eat it every time get rid of her. that's not fair to the snake to dump them cause a buck fifty was wasted. our snakes have rejected food from time to time, never a feeding strike, but we would just throw the rats outside and let the ants eat them, come back a week later and you have a cool rat skull. it also helped to keep the ants away from the house. would you get rid of a child if it didnt eat the way you wanted it to? sorry if i sound mean, but animals arent just a toy, and dumping something cause it's not perfect is wrong. maybe you should try feeding him in the enclosure,where he would feel much more comfortable.i think you could leave a f/t in overnight, if it's not gone in the morning or just a few hours, then get rid of the mouse, try again, and try again. snakes know what they want and dont want. (at least i belive they do). not changing the feeding place every time helps too. . my girlfriends snake used to be strange about eating. she would not eat if we were watching her. she would wait until we left and eat. we would come back a few minutes later and she would be done eating.but whatever you do dont get rid of it..

[TONYDM41684]

I don't want to get rid of her but I want to get a red tail and I have to wait untill she eats before i can get it. i don't treat my snakes like toys I think that they are great beautiful animals that are interresting and wonderful. I have always loved snkes and would do anything for them. But you all know that there is nothing better than your snake growing and eating great. It just gives me a good feeling when they take that rat or eat a few mice. I am just fustrated. She was supposed to be a girl and she is actually a he. That upset me but not her fault. Also I don't think that I will be happy with a 3.5 to 4.5 size. I really want a 6 foot +. That is why I want a red tail. Bp have always be my passion though. I have always loved the way they act but he jsut does not seem to be happy. Always laying on the cool side not very active. But seems to be in great health. Maybe dehydrated is this a possibilty? That is why I upped the humidity and lowered the heat. Maybe wait another week and try again? Don't think I am like that though. I do care for my snakes just worried thats all. Oh by the way I have tried to feed every five days I will wait another full week.

[kontron]

She was supposed to be a girl and she is actually a he. That upset me but not her fault.

thats what happened to us with roo, but now she is roo-paul, so it's all good. :mrgreen:

[Marla]

Wait at least a week after you've made any more adjustments you plan to make to his enclosure, then give him an f/t mouse and walk away. Check on him in the morning, and if you find a mouse, throw it out, but you're more likely to find a slightly fatter bp that way.

[TONYDM41684]

what about bedding. I don't want any bedding in her mouth and I don't want her to get used to eating in her tank.

[Marla]

If you use a loose substrate, you should either try covering it with newspaper for feeding time or replacing it with newspaper or paper towels until you have a good eater on your hands. You definitely don't want it to ingest any.