Help at feeding time!!!

[Crystal2010]

Well I just got my first Blood Python and he is not wanting to eat... The woman I got him from said he hasn't eaten in a few weeks, and she made it very clear that he "NEEDS" to eat. That did kind of worry me thinking it may be longer than a few weeks. I am very familier with Ball Pythons and now their temperment and such very well. The Blood though it great size and weight, he is not thinning at all, so my question is should I worry if he doesn't eat in the next few days or how long should I wait? Also she said that they kill his rats for him and that is what he is use to so how long should I leave him with a dead rat? Could it be new enviroment? I never had to deal with that from my Ball's. He seems intrested at times like he is ready to eat but then turns away. I don't know what more I can do.

[Will0W783]

IMO, you don't need to worry yet. A lot of snakes, especially when they are approaching reproductive size and weight, go off feed in the winter. Furthermore, a new snake will often not eat the first week or two, or even three in some cases, after being moved to a new location. If the animal is of a good size and weight, and shows no obvious signs of being ill (i.e. wheezing, whistling, clicking or popping when breathing, open-mouthed breathing, discharge or bubbles from the mouth or nostrils), don't worry about it. Blood pythons are touchy snakes. My female takes 2-3 presentations of the food to actually start swallowing it, as she has to be thoroughly convinced that she "killed" it and that it put up a good fight. She's a bugger, but pretty. Bloods are very neat snakes and can be incredibly impressive when they grow up.

I would leave the snake alone completely for a week- don't bother it other than to top off or change the water. Don't pick it up, don't offer it food, just leave it alone. Then after a week, try offering food again. If it doesn't take it, leave it alone for another week. Unless a snake is visibly losing weight, you don't really need to worry about it not eating right away, especially in the winter.

[marvelfreak]

What Willow said, and maybe wait 2 weeks to offer food. I found if they won't eat after a couple of trys. I wait two to three weeks and then trying again they almost always will eat. I have a jungle that won't eat from nov to march every winter. If your blood breeding age i won't worry to much an just offer food every other week till he eats. Best of luck!

[infernalis]

Good sound advice....

Wishing you luck with your new friend.