Quote Originally Posted by hollowlaughter View Post
You should avoid handling on feeding day, especially with a new BP. They're settling in and stressed.

That said, if you haven't sanitized your hands, he is probably smelling the rodent on them. I've found this happens when the rat is not heated in the head above human body temp, they definitely rely on their heat pits to sense prey.

So, if the rodent hasn't been in there for long, this is what I'd recommend:


  • Wash your hands.
  • Reach in, remove the rodent.
  • Take a hair dryer and warm the rodent, focusing specifically on the head. Do this in the same room as the snake and watch their enclosure. They WILL show interest upon heating, if hungry.
  • Make sure the head is slightly warm to your fingers, not baked.
  • Wash your hands again.
  • Offer the rodent in tongs.
  • Observe your snake. This is the most important stage, since every snake has different preferences and inclinations toward eating. Yours seems not to be a "leave them alone with it" feeder, so you can try zombie walking the rodent by grasping it behind the neck and making it move like its walking. If this doesn't get a response, dangle it in front of them by the legs, swinging it very slowly. Some need it very gently tapped against their nose.
  • As long as the snake is interested and not retreating, just wait for it. (Mine takes a while.)
  • If none of the above works and the snake still seems interested in eating...
  • Carefully brain the mouse by inserting a thumbtack into its skull.
  • This is the go-to to get a BP taking its food if you can't figure out it's feeding preferences just yet. A brained mouse is like candy to a toddler.


After this, please observe your snake and feed them in the method they prefer. Assure your husbandry is spot on. Let them settle in for a week, no handling, before more food.

all of your info is brand new to me, most of it anyways and I've never heard of the braining thing but an update, I left a new smaller rodent in over night and it was gone when I woke up, I'm happy about that, but I will definitely remember your recommendations and not just with bp's