HELP! Burmese Python not eating..

Squirtle · 01-09-12, 06:33 PM

Last week, I tried feeding my burm a black bunny and he wouldn't take it. Last weeks bunny might have not been defrosted enough though. So I skipped last weeks feeding and try again this week with a black and white bunny, mostly white and he still won't take it.. What can be wrong with him? ;( he used to be a monster.. He ate anything I put infront of him (frozen thawed rats or live). I feed him guinea pigs a month ago 3 huge ones one week apart, gave him a rat the fourth week and ordered the rabbits from a user on here and he ate two of them.. Two weeks later he wants nothing to do with them. What can I do? Should I pick up a live ray for him tomorrow? How long should I leave it in his cage? He constantly goes to sniff it and acts interested but then leaves to explore.. If this isn't the right section please move it to the right section..

Swany · 01-09-12, 06:38 PM

From what Iv'e picked up here man, if he's missed a feed its no big deal, leave him a week to ten days and try again.

Lankyrob · 01-09-12, 06:40 PM

Dont stress you or him out by trying again for at least a week. There are many many reasons why a snake will refuse a meal, double check all you husbandry and if all ok give him a week of zero interaction except water changes, try him again then.

Unless the snake has other symptoms or is losing weight a few MONTHS without feeding wont hurt it

Squirtle · 01-09-12, 06:44 PM

He's only 13 months old though.. It can't be that he wants to breed right? This is his second week that he's missed a meal.. Should I just pick up a live jumbo eat tomorrow? Will that put him in feeding mode again?

Gungirl · 01-09-12, 06:47 PM

Snakes go off feed sometimes... How long have you had the snake?

Some snakes go off food due to the time of year. Some go off food due to an up coming shed. Many things can throw them off. I would rather see a snake miss a feed here and instead of over feeding it.
Snakes are not like people or other animals they can go a few weeks to a few months with out food and be 100% ok. Dont stress it unless it starts to show signs of other issues or weight loss.

CK SandBoas · 01-09-12, 06:49 PM

I would not even attempt to feed him for at least a week, as Rob said. The more you offer food when the snake is not interested, the more it will stress the snake out, and will keep him off feed for longer. I know it is stressful to you when an animal won't eat,but i would not try to get it back into feeding mode. It will eat when it's ready to eat

And like Rob also said, just double check your setup, just to make sure there isn't something there that might be causing it.

marvelfreak · 01-09-12, 06:52 PM

Sounds like it might not have been heated up enough. Did you try soaking it end scalding hot water right before feeding? Could also just be that it's not hungry right now. I do like Swany said a wait then give it a try.

Squirtle · 01-09-12, 06:52 PM

Should I just leave it in there anyways for a while? I tried dangling it infront of him, wouldnt take it..

marvelfreak · 01-09-12, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirtle

Should I just leave it in there anyways for a while? I tried dangling it infront of him, wouldnt take it..

Being it's already dead you could leave it in over night. I have two snakes that i have to do these for them from time to time. By morning it almost always gone.

**millertime89** · 01-09-12, 08:10 PM

It could very well be that he's in breeding mode, it could also be the switch, try offering a rabbit and if he doesn't take it try a rat. Eliminate variables my friend.

Lankyrob · 01-10-12, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

It could very well be that he's in breeding mode, it could also be the switch, try offering a rabbit and if he doesn't take it try a rat. Eliminate variables my friend.

But only attempt one feed every 7 days or you will be stressing the snake and making it LESS likely to eat

KORBIN5895 · 01-10-12, 12:09 PM

I agree with Chuck. Sounds more like a temperature thing to me. If the rabbit wasn't hot enough the snake won't strike. It sounds like it was interested but something about the rabbit wasn't to its liking. One of my bci will only eat if the prey is extremely hot.

Squirtle · 01-10-12, 03:37 PM

I heated it up very well and also let it dry under the heat lamp.. still didnt take it.. He's been cruising his cage a lot is that a sign he wants to breed? I'll try to give him a jumbo rat on Friday or Monday.

marvelfreak · 01-10-12, 03:46 PM

When was the last time he pooped?

Squirtle · 01-10-12, 03:54 PM

He pooped two weeks ago.. a lot of it too lol