snake will not eat

[xtremes2221]

i have tried live and frozen, but just wont eat, almost 1 month now, had been eating small rat once a week, ive tried mice even live and frozen he just wont eat

any suggestions

[Auskan]

BPs frequently stop eating for awhile this time of year. Just don't worry about it - he will start again when he's ready. Last year mine didn't eat from October until June (which is an extreme length of time - most only stop for 2-3 months or so). They can go a long time without eating and without weight loss. Just make sure he has fresh water available at all times, offer food once every couple of weeks and if he's not interested, remove the food item.

[sapphire_moon]

do not try live, it should be the next to last thing you try.

As Auskan said, BP's will often stop eating for long/short periods of time. The only time you should be concerned is if the snake is rapidly losing weight.
Both my bp's were/are off feed since November 25th of last year. My male just took 3 fuzzy rats (I was offering them to the little female to entice her to take rats) but my female is still off feed. They are both still a healthy weight.

Keep offering f/t like you always have. no live unless it is one of the last resorts.

You can try:

Braining (poke a hole in it's skull and let some of the brain matter come out)

Cut the tip of the nose of the rat off.

dipping the head in extremely hot water

making the whole rat wet

dipping the head in hot chicken broth.

leaving it over night in his cage

leaving him in a rubbermaid with the f/t overnight

If he still keeps refusing, it's ok, as long as he is of a healthy weight.

What I do is when they refuse a meal, I don't offer another meal until 2 feedings has gone by (thats once a week for me, so 2 weeks). If they still refuse prey items after that time just leave them be for about 3wks -1 month without offering any food.

They will eat when they want. The only time to get worried is if they lose weight fast (as I've said a million times. lol)

and this is why I don't recommend BP's as a first snake.

[mykee]

Balls fast, that's what they do. Feeding live works, but if they're not interested, they just won't eat. Don't stress it, they'll eat when they want.

[xtremes2221]

thanks everyone, the only reason i tried live is because he used to eat live all the time,

thanks again