Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my 3.5yr BP has refused to eat for the past 6 weeks. His last feeding consisted of a F/T small rat which he normally strikes at when its moved in front of his nose but for whatever reason he has refused food for the past month and a half. Im open to trying anything to get him to feed and im considering feeding him live prey to see if that wont trigger his appetite, only one problem, I live in Calgary and it is illegal to own live rats so im only able to get mice. Can anybody please give me some pointers to get him to eat?

Any help is greatly appreciated

thats an odd law... no live rats.... facinating...

anyway... i hate hate hate live food...

Have you tried "brained" where you thaw out the food and use a razor blade to split the head (*barf*) and then try feeding.

you might also try a stunned mouse... since thats all you can get....

I try live before i try force feeding and i've never had to force feed.

remember that snakes can go a lot longer than 6 weeks with no food- I get worried when they don't eat as well. I've got a 14 foot burm out there that hasn't eaten in 4 months and has lost a whole 4 1/2 lbs of her previous 79 lbs.... so i'm not worried about her...

so long as the snake isn't getting skinny and is still active- just keep trying.

I always offer once a week- and leave a f/t in the cage- i use an empty water bowl so its easier to clean up in the morning if its still there.
good luck
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

I agree...not a big deal yet. It is that time of year, so your BP may just be in "breeding mode". Keep an eye on weight and activity, and just keep offering once a week. My female went eight weeks, then decided she was hungry and ate three times in a row, five days apart. Now she stopped again. (prob worried about lookin good for her boyfriend) Shes breeding and happy.
Its my first time breeding, but I've always noticed the breeding cycles in the winter, even when their temps and humidity stay the same. They know the season whether we tell them or not.
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."

They will do that, my 4 year old female hasnt eaten in 7 weeks. As long as its not losing weight I wouldn't worry.

winter in canada...breeding season !
don't stress, let the winter go by, enjoy not having to remove big brown sweaty logs, keep water available, offer food again in late march.
good luck, ck