1 yr old BRB won't eat

[BRB-OC]

My usually great eater has now left food alone for 2 weeks in a row. And considering the first time was after a 10-14 day interval, we're now up to 3 weeks that he's gone without.


All viv specs are the same. 82 degrees, 80%+ humidity.
Only change has been the pet store where I bought the last batch of frozen mice. He's been on large adults for a little while as a stepping stone to rats.
Same thaw and serve routine as before
No noticeable bulging or tightness (impaction) that I can see
Normal poop after last feeding
Activity levels normal when I take him out

Any thoughts?

[Mikoh4792]

I'm no expert but I think I've read that BRB's are supposed to have 90% humidity. Could be wrong.

I would just try to feed it every week. If your temps and humidity are good it should eventually eat.

I am actually in the same boat as you. My year old ball python who usually pounds rats after rats has not eaten in 3 weeks. I am going to try a small rat tomorrow.

Good luck

[Kid Boa]

Boas and Pythons will and can some times go off feeding, Boas not so much.

I would double check all your husbandry and try feeding it again in a few days.

You mention that your temp is 82 degs, is this ambient or hot spot.

BRBs need 83deg hot spot and 75deg cool side, 80% humidity is ok for a one year old as long as it has a soaking dish.

You could raise the humidity 5% or so and see what happens. When you feed it next time, trying late at night in its enclosure. They are nocturnal animals and can be timid at times.

EDIT: You mentioned it eats mice, I might be inclined to move it up to rats at its age and see what happens as well.

[kboa]

My young brb just came off his over a month long without eating and it was the biggest scare...i got alot of great advice and cliff helped a bunch...check my previous thread on my feeding issues... hope this helps... good luck

[desipooh.12]

Maybe going thru shed?
Mine did only because it won't eat before or during shed..

[Snakesitter]

Assuming temps have not crept up on you (maybe the cool side heated up too?), my top suspects would be:

1. Pending shed. Brazilians are more likely to refuse in shed when older. Still not often, but I'd had formerly great eaters refuse as adults when shedding.

2. Food seems different. It could be the size, or a very subtle item like smell. Try another order, using the same size you bought before.

As kid boa noted, sometimes offering later in the day helps. I would offer it piping hot at dusk with all the room light out, and leave it overnight.

Good luck!