problem eater?

Xochiquetzal · 10-02-11, 06:01 PM

I purchased a tiny pastel BP a month or so ago. He was a live eater and didnt eat for me for almost 3 weeks after which he happily took a frozen thawed rat fuzzie! Problem is now he strikes , wraps and then leaves the rat and slinks off to his hide!!! Any ideas as to why he wont eat it?

**millertime89** · 10-02-11, 06:29 PM

prey might be too big, how old is your BP?

edit: try an appropriately sized mouse.

SpOoKy · 10-02-11, 06:43 PM

You should also check to see how warm it is. If it is cold the snake probably wont want it. Try warming it up with some warm water just before feeding

Xochiquetzal · 10-02-11, 07:06 PM

nope its a good temp I warm them up before i feed and the prey is small its a rat fuzzy , he took the first one , he could definitely eat a rat 2 times that size without difficulty!

alessia55 · 10-02-11, 07:29 PM

Are you watching him eat? Some snakes (for whatever reason) can feel "self conscious" and won't eat if watched. You're feeding him f/t so it won't hurt to leave him with it after he strikes it. Sometimes I find that it helps if, after he strikes and coils, I tug on the mouse a bit and it makes mine constrict tighter... maybe it's the whole "it's alive" feel for the snake...not sure, but makes mine eat it for sure. Worth a try, right?

Xochiquetzal · 10-02-11, 10:11 PM

ill try that , i have always just left my snakes to eat in privacy after the strike and coil , but ill try the tug thing next time i feed him!

Lankyrob · 10-03-11, 04:50 AM

I fight with my bp ofver the prey as this seems to make him eat rather than leave it - i hold the prey by the scruff and when he strikes it i pull in the opposoite direction as if the rat is struggling. Befor ei did this he would occasionally strike and then slither away, now he will strike and wrap real hard and then eat well.

Rog · 10-11-11, 12:46 AM

I take a blow dryer and heat up the head of the prey item, it seems to work for me. Good luck

Uncle_Rev · 10-11-11, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

I fight with my bp ofver the prey as this seems to make him eat rather than leave it - i hold the prey by the scruff and when he strikes it i pull in the opposoite direction as if the rat is struggling. Befor ei did this he would occasionally strike and then slither away, now he will strike and wrap real hard and then eat well.

I do this with quite a few of my critters, it works great.

ZARADOZIA · 10-11-11, 03:30 AM

Something else to consider, Some won't eat if it has been warmed too much and is slightly cooked. i.e., using microwave, boiling water.

My tap water gets 120 F and is plenty hot enough to thaw and heat.

Just an idea / thought

shaunyboy · 10-11-11, 04:42 AM

i have a diamond jungle that has acted the same way all her life

she strikes constricts then abandons the prey

i give her 3 or 4 trys,then if she don't eat i try again 7 to 10 days later

if she does take the rat i always give her a 2nd sometimes even a 3rd

theres times where she will eat first strike

i just put it down to her being a quirky feeder (she also preffers smaller prey than what she should be taking )

she's in excellent condition,so its not too much of a worry

cheers shaun

**millertime89** · 10-11-11, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZARADOZIA

Something else to consider, Some won't eat if it has been warmed too much and is slightly cooked. i.e., using microwave, boiling water.

My tap water gets 120 F and is plenty hot enough to thaw and heat.

Just an idea / thought

my tap water is what I use as well. Nero has no problems finding it and snapping it right up.

Xochiquetzal · 10-11-11, 12:57 PM

thanks guys , i wiggled the rat once he wrapped around it and he ate! My son remembers a female ksb he had that was the same way! Im hoping this will continue to do the trick!