Southern Scrub Python

[stano40]

Southern Scrub Python

In the past few days I had taken in a re-homed Southern Scrub Python.

The Southern Scrub Python is female and approximately 4 1/2' to 5' in length and around 2-3 years in age.

She is extremely attentive to her surroundings and aggressive. When I snap her UVB/heat lamp on she will strike at where I am.

The only sites I can find for a Southern Scrub Python is yassir mustafa's site which gives only some basic information. I have tried emailing him but he doesn't respond.

My question is if anyone here has had any experience in these python's? I am looking for some help in personal experience or other sites that may be out there on this species of python.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/PYTHONS%20-%20OTHER/000_2034-1.jpg

bob
Maine/USA

[ToddBecker]

I also have a "recently " aquired scrub. Have you gotten yours to eat for you yet. Mine is about the same size as yours. He is pretty mellow as far as scrubs go and if I am slow and cautious I can handle him without too much worries. My problem is I have yet to get him to eat. I have had him for about 2 months and nothing. I have tried f/t and f/k mice, live mice and rat pups. Even tossed in an anole just to see if maybe he would take a lizard but nothing. Last wednesday I put him in a snake bag with three rat pups for four hours and nothing. Running out of options and getting frustrated. Any suggestions anyone. Let me know what sites you find cause I too have had difficulties finding any info. Todd

[stano40]

The only site I found was for Yasser Moustafa, but he doesn't answer his email's.

http://www.spitfirereptiles.com/sspc.html

That's the only comprehensive site I've found so far but it only gives some general knowledge about southern scrubs.

When I picked her up I was told that the original owner bought this southern scrub from Yasser.

She (nugget), that's what we named her, has eaten once for us. It was an f/t adult mouse. She took the mouse with no problem.

You might want to try an adult mouse if your scrub is as large as mine. What my wife does, she feeds the snakes, is thaw out the f/t mice or rats in hot water. By the time the mouse or rat is thawed the body temperature will be just right and hopefully simulate natural body heat.

A couple of thought's from my wife is not to handle him until after he's eaten. Try a f/t mouse in a separate tank overnight with him and try covering the tank for a more secluded feeling for the scrub.

How are the temps in his tank? Do you know when the last time he ate and what? You may even want to have a vet check for internal parasites.

bob

[gonesnakee]

Not to direct you away from here but there are some scrub keeper on Reptiles Canada - Welcome (http://www.reptilescanada.com) that may be of help if you post over there as well, Mark

[stano40]

Thanks gonesnakee, I will check it out. The more sources I can get the better to learn more about this species.

bob

[scotty99]

You could try and scent the prey with some used mouse/gerbil/rat bedding which you can get from your local pet store. Put the f/t prey in the bedding overnight next to the enclosure. If this doesn't work cut off the nose of the thawed rodent after warming it on a heat pad for 10-15 mins or so and squeeze the fluid out through the nose(sounds terrible i know!) this fluid can trigger the feeding response. The main reason he may not be eating is stress/ insecurity or the temps of the enclosure. feed the scrub at night when it is active and don't disturb him/her after offering and see how it goes. give the prey a wiggle on some long forceps and try and get it excited

my ball python is a real fussy eater, so i know what its like, good luck

[scotty99]

Just an idea..You could try scenting the f/t rodent with some used mouse/gerbil/rat bedding which you could get from your local pet store. leave the rodent to thaw in the bedding next to the enclosure so the scrub can smell it and get him/her worked up a little in expectation.

If that doesn't work put the rodent on a heat pad after its defrosted for 10 -15 mins then cut off it's nose (sounds horrible i know!) and gently squeeze some fluid out through where the nose was, this can get the feeding response triggered to maximum effect, feed at night when scrub is active.

Sounds like you have tried a lot already, may be he is a little stressed hence he is not eating anything yet. has he got a really tight hide where he can fell safe etc. might just be really sensitive snake and will settle in time. i wouldn't take him out of enclosure to feed, will stress it out and put it off its feeding response ..thats just my personal opinion, everyone has their own methods.

know all about fussy eaters, i have a ball python!!

ps- very jealous, scrubs are my fav snake, there is a 3 yo Aru at my local reptile shop, i go just to visit him, stunning!

hope you get it eating!

scott