Quick question about body condition/weight

[Bogertophis]

So just an update: I texted the breeder and he said this snake had been on rat pups. I had previously asked what he was eating but he had just said "f/t or live" and didn't say what, so I assumed it was mice because I've never heard of anyone feeding TPRSes, or snakes similar to this, rats. He also revealed to me that he was drop feeding him.

So, I did try to feed him a mouse last night (defrosted in a baggie so it wasn't wet, and I brained it--or at least, poked a small hole in its skull). He will go smell the mouse if it's on tongs, and seems curious about it, but again, he wouldn't take it. I have left it in overnight and it is still there this morning, so I'm kind of doubting he'll take it, unless he likes it stinky and near-decomposing.

Anyway, I may be able to get a frozen rat from my friend who has a red tail boa, in order to scent the mice. Do you think I should try scenting them? I'd rather not just buy a pack of rats, which would mean he'd be eating rats for like another year-plus, and it would be a waste of money for me. I'd prefer to get him on mice because it's what I have, and I have never seen anyone recommend rats for this species.

Basically, should I be trying to scent by his next meal (assuming he refuses this one, when should I try next?), or should I try to get him to take mice without it? Would he just be hungry by then? It has probably been about 3 weeks since his last meal, which was with his previous keeper.

So that's why he looks very "well-fed"- rat pups are higher in fat & lower in bone-building minerals than what is good for them as a forever-diet. When I used to raise rats, I'd share the occasional one (rat fuzzy/pup) with my TPs, especially the female that produced several clutches of adorable hatchlings. My TPs have always been good feeders, though I know that like any snake, they can get fixated on the taste of whatever rodent they've been raised on.

Rats would NOT be a good diet long-term for TPs, because the only size that "fits" the adult snake is a sub-adult (ie. fatty) pup- you always want to be feeding the rodent that fits the best that is ALSO the most adult form of it's species- in this case, adult mice. Snakes need the minerals from the larger bones, larger muscles, etc.

One thing you can do is to thaw a rat pup together with a mouse, or rub one on the other to mix the scents before offering. You have time, btw, to work on this guy's appetite- he's not starving!

Honestly, if that snake lived with me, I'd offer him some live fuzzy mice (eyes closed!) because most TPs will slurp them up like candy. That will help teach him the mouse flavor is yummy too. If he takes a live fuzzy, then use one as an "appetizer" for a while (ie. give one live fuzzy, & then offer a f/t small mouse right after, since that fuzzy sure won't fill him up). I wouldn't bother "braining" f/t rodents- just pinch-damage the nose with your feeding tongs, right before offering, to release a little more scent.

Never assume. This is what can happen when you forget to ask all the necessary questions BEFORE you buy a new snake. You get some surprises that aren't very convenient. But this too should pass- you can fix this- you likely just have to persist a while.

Oh, & if he was being drop-fed, this snake may be a bit of a shy feeder, so feed at night. When you use a live fuzzy mouse, & IF he won't accept them from your tongs (try first) just put them in a shallow but heavy (so it won't tip) flat-bottomed bowl in his home at night- you might also leave a f/t mouse there as well, after you find out if he will accept the live fuzzy mouse. They should disappear overnight, & most likely, you can gradually get him to eat from tongs. ALL of my TPs wolf down f/t mice from tongs- any time. You can do this. And so can he.