Help! Our new BP, little Monty, isn't eating... I know this isn't earth-shaking news to experienced BP owners. He's about 4-5 months old, 52cm (20") long and weighed 116 grams when we got him. We've had him for 1 week and unfortunately he was due to be fed the day after we bought him. (I suppose I should've insisted he be fed before I took him home, but my Brazilian Rainbow Boa is such an easy eater, that I didn't expect any problems.)
Now it's been 2 weeks since his last meal and he's starting to look skinny and he's lost 2 grams (from 116 to 114) His skin is sagging a bit and his spine is very prominent. He has not defecated and has only urinated once since we got him. I saw him drink once.
He seems alert and calm -- not stressed out at all. I know he's had a lot to adjust to (including converting from live to F/T) but I really don't want to feed him live: he's already been bit!
I've even put down a sheet over his substrate so that I could feed him inside his terrarium as I thought moving him to a feeding box might already stress him out too much.

He seems healthy, but I've noticed something else: some of his scales seemed to be getting damaged. I'm not sure if that's normal, from climbing all over his new grapevine branch or if there's something really wrong with him. I've looked at them closely (for mites or ticks, but couldn't see anything.)They just seemed pushed up in places with a bump underneath them and some on the belly side seemed a bit tattered. They seem tender: when I run my finger over them, he pulls away.

I don't know if there is a connection here between this and his not eating. We haven't really left him alone as much as we probably should have, with the feeding attempts and new terrarium move, etc. But how long can such a little guy go without food?
If it were Talyn, I wouldn't worry for at least 3 months, but this is really frustrating!
Any tips, ideas????

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Andrea

Start by checking the cage temps. If the temp drops even a few degrees he could not want to eat. Also time of day may be important. Try feeding later at night since that's when bps are most active.

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I would probably suggest leaving him alone for at least a week, he may still under great stress. What are your temps in the tank? I normally dont worry either, but if he continues to lose weight, you should consult a vet to check for illness. I hope he eats soon. Please keep us posted.

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MARSHA
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Thanks for the quick replies.
We've been really careful about getting his temps right and constant. This is what they are: Warm side 82.4 F (28 C) Cool side 75.2 F (24 C) Basking spot 87.8 F (31 C) and Humidity is between 50 and 65%
He has a photo-period of 12 hours on/12 hours off.

We've tried feeding a bit later, and even left the F/T mouse in overnight with him in his hidebox.

I'll try leaving him alone and try feeding again next weekend; any ideas about the scales???

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Andrea

My younger bps always look like they have rougn skin around the neck area. I think this is just a trait with them since they all have it. The scale, although very tough, are not impermeable, he may have just scratched it. Take the bgrapevine out and run you hands over all the surface area. You may find a sharp spot.

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Our little Monty FINALLY ate! Unfortunately, I had to give in and feed him a live hopper mouse. He took it so fast, the poor thing didn't know what hit it. I tried offering him an F/T right afterwards, but he refused it...
I really want to convert him from live food, but how?! The little bugger is just SOOOOOOO stubborn!!! (It seems to have had nothing to do with his "adjustment" or being fed in a separate container, he just wanted to hunt and kill something!)
Should I feed him live for the next few times and then try again... I need to get some of his weight back... he lost 5% of his body weight during the last 3 weeks.
PS -- Thanks Jay, the tree did have some rough spots, so I took it out and sanded it down completely!

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Andrea

Blackjack, great news! I'm so glad he ate for you, it's such a relief. And don't worry about giving in to feeding live prey - moving home was a huge adjustment for the little guy, changing feed would be equally as big a deal.. let him settle in for a little while longer then concentrate on switching him to f/t.. there are a few tricks that you can do, but I have never experienced a live feeder yet, so i'll let someone with more experience in that area go into it.

Just a couple of points to note - your temps need to go up a little,. the basking spot needs to be 90-92f, warm end 85-88f, and cool side 80f -ish. I know it's only altering by a couple of degrees but it can make all the difference.

Also, I am a little concerned by the bumps you mentioned -- the bumps under the scales did make me immediately think of mites. Not to worry you, but just keep a close eye on him/her - mites like to gather inparticularly around the eyes and under the chin scales, and the snake may be seen soaking more, becoming a abnormally aggressive or hissy, and may go off feed.

-- the bumps may be nothing to worry about,. they could just simply be some marks from rubbing his scales or something. Just prepare for all situations.

Good luck with him from now on.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

If they are mites HC recommends repti-relief. Congrats on him eating.

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I would also recommend a product called frontline for getting rid of mites, originally designed for treatment of cat and dog fleas - we have used this several times with brilliant results. I don't know if you can get it over there??

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Thanks Bitis, Thanks Jay
We've checked Monty repeatedly and thoroughly for mites... I haven't seen anything. He doesn't soak at all. I really think his scales were damaged from all his climbing on the branch... Those grapevine things are great and look fabulous, but everyone should always check for rough spots!! I spent 2 hours with a tiny electric sander smoothing it out.
I'll keep checking for mites, but hopefully it was just the branch.
Thanks too for the tips on the temps Bitis.

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Andrea