Feeling Like a Failure (Feeding)

[Cheesenugget]

Around this time of the year, all reptiles are starting to eating less and sleeping more. My snakes including my bp is still eating (>500g) for now but I won't be surprised if he starts turning down meals soon. My king is showing less interest in food and being less active. She has been like this pre-shedding. I am hoping she will want to eat after her shed but as an adult female of unknown age, I don't mind if she cuts back as long as her weight remain about the same. My lizards are already showing less interest in their food or eating less, including my food obsessed blue tongue skink.

I think age plays a factor but even the young ones will follow suit if they feel winter is coming. I would not worry about your snake not eating for several weeks. Try once every 2 weeks. As long as the weight is not lost by much and they appear in good health, these guys know what they are doing.

[dr del]

It's a bit early to panic but have you considered alternative prey?

[alittleFREE]

Thanks again to everyone for the encouragement.

Tonight was feeding night, and unfortunately she didn’t eat. So that makes this her 3rd skipped meal. The thing that is really frustrating is that she SEEMS hungry; she hangs out with her head out of the hide every night, she goes out to explore in the middle of the night (I’ve caught her in the act, and she ritualistically knocks over her thermometer which I have to reposition every morning). She sniffs the rat and follows it around with her head. But nothing.

Regarding husbandry... everything is the same.

However, I failed to mention this in the OP, but I have noticed that she seems to only ever be on her cool side. She’s basically been spending her entire day on the cool side ever since she went into shed. I’m guessing maybe she is going to warm side when I’m asleep. Or maybe since she hasn’t eaten in a while she doesn’t need the higher temps.

It's a bit early to panic but have you considered alternative prey?

I have considered that. I’m willing to do whatever. I prefer F/T for convenience, safety, and the fact that I hate seeing an animal suffer, however, I’ve fed live in the past and will do it again if necessary. I know you can also get other food types like chicks and gerbils and all that stuff if rats don’t do the trick, and I’d be willing to do that as well.

I’m also seriously considering switching her over to a tub. She ate fine for 2 months in this tank though (it’s only 10 gal and cluttered), which is why I’m hesitant to change anything. I’m getting pretty sad because she was such a breeze when I first got her. Now she’s really stressing me out



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[Bogertophis]

... I’m getting pretty sad because she was such a breeze when I first got her. Now she’s really stressing me out ...

I sympathize (been there, done that) but it just goes with the territory when keeping BPs. Pity they don't come with a crystal ball to help you decide whether or not an
offer of alternative prey will work, or if this is only due to the seasonal changes & a new kind of prey will only mess up the established feeding they've already managed.

[alittleFREE]

I sympathize (been there, done that) but it just goes with the territory when keeping BPs. Pity they don't come with a crystal ball to help you decide whether or not an
offer of alternative prey will work, or if this is only due to the seasonal changes & a new kind of prey will only mess up the established feeding they've already managed.

Exactly. I’m willing to try whatever - but I don’t want to do something that would mess up her established habits and routine without due cause.


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[Bogertophis]

Exactly. I’m willing to try whatever - but I don’t want to do something that would mess up her established habits and routine without due cause.


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Personally I'd probably wait her out...I know how hard it is not to worry, but BPs will be BPs. Give it time, try not to worry...it's what they do. (I think it mostly
drives us crazy because they don't all do the same thing...)

[pretends2bnormal]

Personally I'd probably wait her out...I know how hard it is not to worry, but BPs will be BPs. Give it time, try not to worry...it's what they do. (I think it mostly
drives us crazy because they don't all do the same thing...)

I second this one. You've got a couple hundred grams of weight on your BP, and if she was taking frozen, she will eventually do so again. (Funny enough, I just ended a fast from a young Kenyan sand boa. Weighed 36 grams every week for the last 6 weeks but had refused for seemingly no reason after eating fine for 6 months before)

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