Shoud I try Live Feeding Mice for NON Eater

[simon07989]

I have a Burmese Hatchling who is almost 12 weeks old and has eaten at random times the odd chick, rat put etc.

He has not eaten in 3 weeks and as the feeding was no sparse prior he has never put on any size to use as reserves. Hence at not eating for 3 weeks he is already going saggy in the skin and loosing weight.

He comes out every night looking for food and I see him drink.

I have tired rat pups, mice, chicks. Hot water method. Braining. Gutting chicks and covering rats. Leaving in box overnight. Leaving in hide. Leaving on hide. Waggling for 30 mins.. etc etc.

I can even show him a chick which he sniffs and looks like he wants to eat but after a time I leave it in with him and he ignores. Looking again around his RUB and at the lid for food!?

I am afraid he will get to weak soon to have the energy to eat so want to ask if I should use a live mouse to get him going?

I did try to assist feed a rat put but couldn't get his mouth open.

Please don't shout at me for asking to try live, that is why I am asking so you can all help me out.

Thank You,

Simon

[simon07989]

* SO sparse

[Scubadiver59]

I have a Dumerils Boa with the same issue, it's eating live rat pinks at the moment. I'll continue feeding live for now, but will get it eating f/t before he graduates to weaned rats.

One way or another...

[dannybgoode]

Don't worry about trying live - the only people who have an issue with it are people who have never had to try it. Don't worry about it being illegal in the UK ( something that comes up from time to time) - it isn't.

It's worth a try if you can source good quality live feeders. Just keep a very close eye on proceedings because a weak snake may not be able to defend against a frightened mouse or rat - even a small one.

[Scubadiver59]

That's why I'm going to get my Dumerils to eat f/t before it moves to live rats with eyes that are open (i.e. fuzzy or weaned)...pinks/pups are okay since they're still blind.

Don't worry about trying live - the only people who have an issue with it are people who have never had to try it. Don't worry about it being illegal in the UK ( something that comes up from time to time) - it isn't.

It's worth a try if you can source good quality live feeders. Just keep a very close eye on proceedings because a weak snake may not be able to defend against a frightened mouse or rat - even a small one.

[eminart]

Definitely, if he won't eat anything else.

[Doug 351]

Thank you Danny! I didn't even know my snake would eat f/t for almost 10 years. LIVE and small...(get me?) That's my suggestion.

Another suggestion...if this persists, you may need to visit a vet. But...sometimes snakes just go "off-feed" and they know what they are doing.

A possibility is your snake can not find a warm spot suitable for digestion.( It kinda sounds like it based on feedings and weight gain.)

Good luck...and keep us informed.

EDIT: Oh...and thank you too, ScoobyDo! LOL!

[EL Ziggy]

I agree with the others. If all else fails, try a live feeder. I had to do it a few times when my king went off feed for a few months.

[Aaron_S]

When someone is rearing a young snake they should be ready to feed live as soon as the snake refuses a couple dead meals.

I find it's important to get snakes eating consistently and then once they are, as babies, they are easy to switch to a preferred prey method.