Food strike- anything I should be doing different?

[sufficio]

I'll send you the details of hairdryer trick by PM ..

PS ... I'd never suggest anyone move a BP / Royal to a separate container to feed them .... they're just to sensitive for all that faffing around .


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Thanks, very much appreciate the tips! And it was definitely a last resort thing- he'd been fed as a baby in a separate enclosure to avoid any substrate swallowing(I was a little paranoid but he's always been a little "overenthusiastic" when eating and has even tried to swallow down paper towel ) so I tried it in case it was a more comfortable method for him, but I definitely agree, I think it just stressed him more.

94 is kind of hot. Can you lower it to 88-90F?

I don't think I catch what size and type of prey you are feeding.

I have a male too. He started fasting when he turned about 2 years old around winter time, on and off since then. So yea, I completely understand the frustration lol. But it is like most keepers say, they will eat when they want to and an average wait is usually around 6 months.

I would cut back to offer biweekly or every 3 weeks.

I usually don't change anything until the 4 or 6 month mark. You can try downsizing the tub, change hides into something more 'snuggly,' or try offering mice if you fed rats. Some swear by the mice trick, it worked for me once before then never again, so who knows. As a last resort, try offering live prey, ie offer a small, small rat instead of the usual bigger size, and supervise closely.

94 is the absolute hottest spot I could find under the substrate(only a small area of the fairly large warm hide where the heat from the bulb overlaps the edge of the UTH), but there's a thick aspen layer that keeps it down to the temps you listed! If it would be better I can definitely lower it, my usual concern is keeping things warm enough rather than too warm being in northern canada

He's on small rats right now! Has been on rats since he was large enough to manage them.

Wow, that's crazy similar timing haha! I guess I need to be more patient then. I've always been an over-worrier when it comes to my pets haha. Will definitely try downsizing if/when I reach that point. And I dearly hope I don't have to resort to live, but of course I'll do whatever is needed to keep my boy healthy. Thanks for the advice, appreciated!

I would recommend weighing him regularly, easily done with a bowl and kitchen scales, as some ball pythons can go off food for a long time and still be ok if they are no losing weight quickly or have an obvious change in behaviour (like having less energy).
I hope the best for you and your snake!

I'll order myself a scale then! I never bothered since I have no plans to breed and before this, he was an endless pit for food, but it would definitely be a good tool to have now. Thanks for the advice!