Posted by:
fishr
at Thu Aug 3 17:34:11 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by fishr ]
Assure you have correct temps (90-95F basking area) and (78-82 cool during day), correct humidity (60-65%), and you're measure the temps with a digital thermometer. All I use is digital thermometers, and have a temp gun for back up.
My cages have at least one hide in them, and honestly the only time I handle them is maybe twice a month. BP's by nature are shy animals and they need their space but they are great snakes to work with nonetheless. For one, BP's not only teach you patience, they demand it! You are finding this fact out right now.
My female just finished a mini three week fast but she's five years old (approx.). For you however, I suggest offering food once a week, and if your snake refuses, try again the following week. The key with BP's is being consistant, especialy with feeding.
Also, you say it's been eating P/K rat pups? Sometimes snakes need live prey to jump start their feeding regime but feeding live is the absolute last resort. Note that, please. Sometimes scenting with hot Chicken broth works or feeding in a paper bag. For me, I've used rat urine as scenting because let's face it, rat's reak. The scenting with rat urine almost always works for me but yes it's a little gross but I've had lots of success with that meathod.
Also, what time of day are you feeding? BP's are nocturnal. Have you tried offering food at night?
Make sure he/she has access to fresh water, and from what I saw the snake appears to have good girth. You might want to purchase a digital (food) gram scale and start moderating weight loss. This way you can keep track, and if it's a dramatic weight loss, feeding live (with supervision on your part) might be the last option.
Best of luck.
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RE: Leave that snake alone... - fishr, Thu Aug 3 17:34:11 2006