Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Guys i know you all told me not to worry about my bp not eating but im starting to get a little worried about him. He shed about two months ago. He doesnt appear to be losing any weight but he also has not gone to the bathroom in i dont know how long. He moves around his cage at night like he is looking but as soon as i tossed the food in he recoils and has nothing to do with it.

I cover his cage so he can eat in private and check on him every 15 mintues or so. After a hour and a half last night i lifted the cover and the rat was curled up asleep beside him! The temp and hum havent changed and he has a cool and warm dark spot. Im at my wits end and dont know what to do.

Please help!
-----
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

maybe hes in a heavily trafficked area of the house. maybe you should keep that room darker longer. or try placing Used rodent bedding in his cage to maybe arouse him. (dont leave him alone with a mouse for an hour tho. at the most 15-20 mi).

Is it hatchling or an adult? because if its an adult it can fast for even longer.

This may sound like a stupid question to you or you may be offended but what are the temps in the his enclosure? Warm and cold side? What is his light cycle?
-----
Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

i'm curious too.What are the temps?

...and like another member said...try a mouse(darker colored if you can get it),or even a gerbil.
Another tactic is to let the mouse cage get a bit stinky and try feeding one then.(Worked for me.)

honestly though,until it is convinced that it is safe,secure,and comfortable where it is...it isn't going to eat.

Low traffic area location/A 93F(some say more,some say less)to 78F thermal gradiant./And Patience...Don't offer everyday.Make it wait at least every 3 or 4 days.(,and don't bother it in between either.)/Change the water after everytime you offer food(this reduces the number of times you open the cage.)

gl
-----
Charles Glaspie

Tanstaafl:
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch".
An acronym created by my favorite author Robert A. Heinlein.

Have you recently changed enclosures on him or anything like that? Substrates, hides anything? If he is stressed out about something it could be another reason for him not to eat. Ofcourse if its been months then he should have had plenty of time to readjust!
My problem is not as bad as yours by no means but i went to feed mine just this past friday which would have been exactly 7 days since his last meal and he did not want anything to do with the rat. Im going to wait it out another week and try again!
lol If he keeps up like yours is doing me and him are going to have to have a serious talk!
Maybe just explain to him that it is causing you emotional stress and if he eats it would make you feel much better! lol Ok fine that probablly wont work but hey its worth a shot!!

Good luck man and stay positive!
-----
Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

If you haven't tried this already, give it a shot.....it's worked for me.

Right before the lights go out in the evening, kill the rodent (a good thump will do the job.....just make it quick and effective) and place it in the cage. A warm body is what's needed here.
Do not check on the snake for at least an hour.

This may work as some snakes are intimidated by larger live prey and/or quick movements of the prey.

Keep us updated!!!!!

Brian

yep....that works.......I use live and for some it makes them fearful and wierd........for the ones I think "should " eat I thump mouse and throw it in cage and turn off lights and go upstairs.........I have already (more than once) seen the ball eating the mosue the next morning at around 5:45 when I turn the lights on.so it layed there all night then it was eaten about 8 hours later......dumb but they do it........I have left them in in the morning and went to work ....and it was eaten while I was at work..and I know I saw it there in the morning.......(I waste the mice alot if they don't get eaten but it is easier than checking all the time and worrying if it is being eaten or not.....

.........they eat when they want........the time is here..it will start...I have alot that aren't eating yet......
-----
JYReptiles

Scales-N-Tails Reptiles ltd........Pa

It has already started around here.
Everytime i walk into the room this week..all i see are heads bobbing around the front of the tubs and cages. (Even the finicky ones i have are actively eating now.)
-----
Charles Glaspie

Tanstaafl:
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch".
An acronym created by my favorite author Robert A. Heinlein.

My little hatchling often goes for a couple of months without defecating. I'll occasionally find a few urate pellets around the cage, but even they are rare. She's eating regularly, but I don't feed her aggressively. Obviously, if they aren't eating, they won't be going to the bathroom.

Bill
-----
It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

I was sold a "CBB feeding 1600 gram female" that went 11 months without eating. I finally got her eating live mice. And only in complete silence and darkness. No matter how big the rat I try is, she will not eat it. Live Mice only, CBB my a&&!

I notice you say rat... have you tried medium mice? I have some problem feeders that will only eat live mice after they have been in their cage for about 2 days. I am always fearful of them damaging the snakes, but hey, its better than it starving to death. Also try a medium jerbal. They seem to work just as well. Most of my BPs perfer mice, and thats what I give them, some wont eat anything for a week if I have tried to offer them a rat (dead or alive). Dont go to rats until it is study on mice. But dont put a hungry mouse in there... I breed my own, and I know they have full tummys, when you get them from pet shops, alot of times they are hungry, and a mouse would not hesitate to make a snack out of a shy BP.

I don't know how long or what size your snake is - but if its an adult that has been feeding fine up until the fast (sound like it if hes not losing weight) - then you shouldn't be worried about a fast. I still have two off feed since September - they are fine - its what they are designed to do.

If it's been like 8-12 months then we can discuss possible solutions - otherwise just wait him out.
-----
Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 Lizards of unknown origin

_____

signature area

Edited on May 3, 2006 at 17:04:32 by phwyvern.