Most annoying non feeding response

[Kroberts10]

I've been having issues with my male feeding for the last few months. Once he hit about 700g his feeding got very sporadic, he's holding at 850g and about 36-40"now, I'm judging off how he measures up to my arm. And it's not shifting at all, so I'm not too worried. I'm chalking it up to being a male in he same rack as 2 females and is probably thinking breeding over feeding.
But the response I've been getting that I find more annoying than just refusing and ignoring the offering. Is he will perk up and creep up on the mouse and just sit there with his nose almost touching the mouse. Then just sit there for a minute or so before going back to his hide. I'll reheat the mouse then he does the same thing. Over the last several months he will do this for a month or so, then eat a mouse a week for 2-3 weeks then go off again.
I just want to see if anyone sees a reason for this behavior that I could correct. Or just chalk it up to him being a male BP.

Here's his setup. Aspen chips in the back with a paper towel up front. The hot spot is 90* with the ambient at about 78-80*. The humidity generally holds at 55-60%. He's a full on mouser, and would go off feed for a couple of weeks if I would get him to eat a rat. But the mice I've got range from 35-50g with the average being 40g. I will hear them up to about 105-110* and dance it around. With the same setup the females and the short tail are feeding well. With one female that's a bit over 1400g only ever missing one meal. And one that only went off feed for a few months when I took away a certain water bowl until I put ye bowl back in there.

So, anyone see anything I could shift to see if he will feed. Or just chalk it up to him being a male BP.

Thanks,
Kyle


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[Kroberts10]

And how the good feeding female greets me several hours after just swallowing a 90g rat. I love her feeding response .

Kyle


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[predatorkeeper87]

I have the same issue with my one lemonblast females, she gets super excited when I offer her a warm rat, then just stares at it for a minute or two and retreats. I wish I had the fix but I'll be watching this thread for responses lol.

[tttaylorrr]

my male does this sometimes too. after i moved him into his T8 he went on a little hunger strike i think from the stress, and after he settled in and was showing interest in feeding he would show that same behavior. he comes out and stares at it, tongue flicking, then retreats. for the past 3 feedings i've left it in overnight and he's taken all three. i wonder if he's becoming a shy feeder? he hasn't shown a strike at prey since moving.

[OTorresUSMC]

Kinda similar issue with my male pastel butter ghost. Been going on 6 or more weeks now tho. He actually will strike at the prey but wont wrap up. Does this a couple times then retreats to his hide. Im guessing hes just gonna be a sporadic eater. His weight is holding ok so im not too worried. Good luck with yours.

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[Zincubus]

There is a method to try ....

[Zincubus]

There is a method to try ....

I have a few Royals who can be like this .
It seems that it just takes quite a few goes for some reason . So lower the lights , offer a warm rat and they usually show a bit of interest , that's the important 'sign' to look out for . Reheat with a hairdryer for 30 seconds then IMMEDIATELY using tongs dangle the fat in front of the snakes nose . It's best if they are in their hide for this method . Then keep repeating the warming and offering - until the rat is grabbed and dragged into the hide . ..

[Kroberts10]

I'll have to try that method next. I've been doing similar but with hot water. Ours runs at about 115* so it gets the mouse nice and hot. I've reheated under the sink about 3 times per feeding trying to tempt him. It's probably washes away some of the mouse odor now that I think about it. Up until he got picky it's works plenty fine to soak them in hot tap water a couple times to get up to heat after they're thawed. The hair dryer might help preserve the smell a bit. Though he did refuse a fresh killed too.

Definitely sounds like I'm not the only one having this same issue. Doesn't it make you feel like you've got almost everything they want to eat but are missing just one little detail, so they become a persnickety toddler.

Kyle


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[PitOnTheProwl]

At that weight I wouldnt stress too much.

[Zincubus]

I'll have to try that method next. I've been doing similar but with hot water. Ours runs at about 115* so it gets the mouse nice and hot. I've reheated under the sink about 3 times per feeding trying to tempt him. It's probably washes away some of the mouse odor now that I think about it. Up until he got picky it's works plenty fine to soak them in hot tap water a couple times to get up to heat after they're thawed. The hair dryer might help preserve the smell a bit. Though he did refuse a fresh killed too.

Definitely sounds like I'm not the only one having this same issue. Doesn't it make you feel like you've got almost everything they want to eat but are missing just one little detail, so they become a persnickety toddler.

Kyle


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Well good luck , I've shared that method quite a few times over the years and a few people on here have reported back how successful it was for them .

I let them thaw naturally in the snake room or on a heat mat if I'm short of time . Guessing using water has to wash away the smell somewhat which surely can't help - even if they strike at a heat source .... I use the hairdryer then offer the rat / mouse IMMEDIATELY whilst it's still warm .

Sometimes takes 6 or 7 attempts BUT if they show a tiny bit of interest- it works virtually every time.

If they're completely off their food or in shed mode then they possibly won't show any interest at all and then you're gonna struggle until they're really ready to eat .


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