Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I tried feeding my male (about three feet long, a bit fatter than a soda can) BP last night. Usually, he pounces on frozen/thawed rats, but this time he acted strangely. He was "sniffing" the rat, with his tongue, but just as I thought he would strike, he glided right over it and appeared to be looking ensewhere for it. he even stopped in a corner of his enclosure, as though he thought the prey was there. Like he knew it was there somewhere, but he could not find it. I tried moving it around a bit in front of him, and he got into striking position but then just glided over it, seemingly still searching.
It seems like he knows the food is there, but is having trouble finding it! He shed 2 weeks ago and has not eaten since, which is VERY strange for this normally snappy eater. I think that maybe, after his last shed, a bit of his eye-scale did not come off. But would that really affect his feeding, since they use the heat sensors to locate prey?
Any sure-fire tips to remove this?
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*~Ginevive~*

Try putting him in a wet towel in a rubbermaid overnight, that should take an old sheds off.

As for a 3ft bp being as big around as a soda can. I'm looking at a soda can right now. If that is true then your BP is obese! Why not try lowering your temps to about 80-85 hot side and let him go off feed until it starts getting warmer out?
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn

First, determine if he has a retained eye cap or not and resolve that. Don't worry if he doesn't eat. Many snakes go off feed this time of year (particulary Ball Pythons). Just monitor his weights - if not losing weight don't worry. Just keep trying every week. Make sure temps are correct in tank and other set up parameters are correct. Also, if feeding FT it is possible that the prey is not warm enough. My little guy won't take it if it's not at least 100 degrees. After heating it up I dangle in front of him to get his attention and then I drop it - when it hits the ground (provided it's hot enough) he strikes.

Again, if not losing weight don't worry. Ball pythons going off feed is often a source of frustration with owners.
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly"
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

I wouldn't worry about him. If you want to try a damp towel in case he retained an eyecap then do that. But I suspect he is just a guy thinking about girls.
If you are a worrier then weigh him. That way if he doesn't eat for a few months you can reassure yourself by reweighing him and knowing he isn't losing weight.
My male is off since last of August. I expect him to start eating again in Feb or March...as that is what he did last year.
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Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.

Don't worry, mines doing the same thing. I think that its the time of year. Just offer food weekly and hopely he'll come around when it warms up outside.

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*~Ginevive~*