Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My boy has never had an issue feeding since I got him (in March), and about 3 weeks ago had a perfect shed. He scarfed down his first meal post-shed, but for the last 2 weeks in a row has refused his rat (f/t). He takes an active interest in it...pokes his head out of his hide, even crawls all over it and lays beside it, but then loses interest and goes back into his hide. The only change that I can think of is we had a rock covering half of his large water dish, which we took out because he spent every day in his water dish (which I thought was too much soaking...maybe I was wrong though). The temps have remained pretty much the same; in fact we turned off his heat lamp completey in the last week because of a heat wave. I'm not OVERLY concerned at this point, but I'm worried this is going to become an issue. Any ideas?
I know his name is ridonkulous

The first thing that jumps out is the fact that the animal doesn't have a hide that it finds suitable, hence why it was sitting in the water under the rock.

Rename it Spot or something, and it will start eating right away.

Captain Sprinklehat is the greatest name I've ever heard for a snake.
-----
blackrockcaptives.com

Don't ever listen to this fool ember he has no idea what to really do this is why he makes up a stupid post liek he did...

Have you tried borwn bagging it??

Brown bagging is usually used for animals that have really never fed, to get an animal in a dark, and confined area, where the rat might be so close, and the snake cannot get away, and might just tag it and feed. Usually a hatchling snake, with a rat pup, which cannot do any damage to the snake.

It might have gotten too hot, in your heat wave, and decided not to feed. It is right after breeding season, some will say still in breeding season, so it is really not something to worry about. It has eaten in the past, will start up again when it is ready...do not panic, but feel free to change the name. Anything but Frodo.

Dave

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. He does have another hide, but you're right, he may not like it. That's something I can change. The temps, even in the heat wave are still fine because I turned off the heat lamp (I'm in Canada...so it's just starting to really warm up here).
Believe me, I've tried to think of another name after the b/f called him that one night.....but it's just so ridiculous I can't bring myself to waste it.
I'll just wait til the next feeding time and try again. I hate to waste the rats though.
Thanks all

I would not worry too much, keep us posted on the snake's fast, and let us know if it starts eating again. I forgot, how old/big is the snake? Is it starting to shed? Let it be for a couple of weeks, and try again then.

Dave

Thanks Dave,
he is just over a year and a half (I think) and around 29in. He just shed about 3 weeks ago. So I should wait a couple of weeks before trying again?

Nat

Gotta say -- I love the name -- you should keep it!!!

As for the not eating double check your husbandry -- also you said he was soaking alot -- which would concern me that there may be an underlying issue - check for mites, wounds, etc. if you don't see anything out of the norm give him a couple of weeks to get hungry and then give him another shot.
-----
Tosha
JET Pythons

So he is pretty much an adult male? It is still "breeding" season, or close enough to it, that he may just not eat for a few months. I would wait two weeks, let him get hungry, and then try him again. If he goes 6 months without food, not good, but a few weeks, no big deal, welcome to Balls

Maybe use a smaller prey item, but I would not be surprised if he was just too hot to eat. Imagine eating Pizza when it is 100 degrees or so. Make sure he does not have mites, soaking could mean mites, too hot, getting ready to shed, and maybe a few other things.