Ok, try to relax. If you listen to us we'll get you and your snake on track.
Unfortunately, taking him out of his enclosure and force feeding may have been a step backwards.
I think what you really need to do is switch to a much smaller enclosure. Your snake likely feels scared and vulnerable in such a large enclosure.
BPs rely very heavily on feeling safe and secure. When they're small they feel extremely vulnerable since almost anything can be a predator to them. So trying to provide them with an enclosure they feel safe in is one of the most important parts of keeping snakes. If the snake doesn't feel safe and secure it will choose not to eat so that it can escape more easily if it needs to. Especially juvenile BPs. They can be extremely finicky.
There are two major reasons a snake will not eat.
1) husbandry is off.
2) they don't feel safe and secure.
I think that switching to a smaller enclosure will help you to improve husbandry as well as provide the security the snake craves.
Switching to an enclosure that provides security will also make the snake less defensive. In that large enclosure your snake likely feels like everything, including you, is a predator. So providing security should help to relax the snake.
I don't usually think it's necessary with BPs, but in your case it may be worth hook training. It may help both of you to feel more comfortable with each other and to trust one another.
Reply With Quote