not eating

[Thunder Kat]

The wierdest thing, my bp has NEVER refused food (not even when she sheds). This Sat. I got her a rat, pre sented the cage, and let the rat go. She slowly went up to the rat smelled it and then shot in the other direction. She did the same thing today. She has been eating rats for over 2 months; her temps, humidity, ect are as they should be and no she is not shedding. Has this ever happened to any one? Fasting was the first thing that came to mind but as I said before she'll hunt the rat but will not strike!

[Kagez28]

i would give her a week and try again....

[Thunder Kat]

Yeah, I'm glad I have extra tanks and rodent food jik.

[frankykeno]

How big is the snake and how big are the rats she's been eating? How big is the rat she refused?

[Krazy99CL]

How big is the snake and how big are the rats she's been eating? How big is the rat she refused?

and how much have you been feeding? every____?___days.

Bp can fast months.

[Thunder Kat]

How big is the snake and how big are the rats she's been eating? How big is the rat she refused?

She is 3' 6" the rat is a little smaller then the thickest part of my bp ( the same size as the last 4 rats she has eaten). She ate those no problem. Fasting was the first thing that came to mind but as I said she would hunt it but not strike. Last night when I signed off I took her out for a while and when I put her back she went potty (alot). I'm thinking that might have some thing to do with it so I'm going to try feeding again. I be back and let ya'll know how it went. wish us luck!

[Thunder Kat]

Nope she did the same thing so I'm going to try next week and once a week. If she doesn't eat after about a month I'm going to take her to the vet. Whats the longest any of your bps gone with out eating? Just to get an idea of the normal fasting period in captivity.

[Kagez28]

well if you keep offering it day after day of course she's not gonna eat it. you're probably stressing her out more.

just leave her for the week, no handling or anything just spot changing and water changes. then attempt to feed her. she should be back to her old ways. if not that there are other issues. Like Frankykeno would say "not eating is a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself".

[Nikki0326]

I believe the longest Ive read about is 22 months (no im not completely positive of this). But unless she starts to noticeably lose weight, or seem to weak to eat you shouldn't panic. If you truly are worried though just take em in to the vet to make sure there aren't any health issues causing em to not eat.

[frankykeno]

Kat, if this is just a refusal one week in a snake that is in good health and body weight and usually eats well, I wouldn't even sweat it a bit. Occasionally they are going to refuse like that and most of them hit just fine a week later. Remember they don't eat nearly as much or as often in the wild so the occasional refusal isn't a huge deal for them.

Wait a week, try again, see how it goes.