Non-eater for 2 months

[Lascaux]

Hey all,

My Caliking still hasn't eaten since I got her 2 months ago. She just shed about a week ago and I'm wondering if I should try putting her in a container? I hear different things about feeding in the cage vs. out of the cage-- input is greatly appreciated (:

[alessia55]

Both my snakes eat in a separate container, but some snakes get stressed out if moved out of their enclosure... so it might make sense to try feeding her inside her cage where she feels more comfortable. How often have you been trying to feed her, how old is she, and when you bought her was she feeding on live or f/t?

[Lascaux]

I've been trying to feed her every week and a half, she's about 3 months old. The breeders said that she ate on the 5th of August, and then I got her on the 8th. I've emailed the breeders and they said that they only feed their snakes frozen and even suggested that I put her in another container, but then I wondered about the stress factor.

Trying to get her to knowledge her prey is a challenge, so now I just leave them since I don't know if she's finding it threatening. She seems healthy still-- nice and shiny-- and she's active.

[Lascaux]

She's stays in my room so there's no foot traffic either.

[alessia55]

Have you been taking her out at all? Sometimes the move to a new home is pretty stressful as it is, and taking her out can cause even more stress. If she looks healthy, shiny, and active, then you don't need to worry yet. Some snakes take longer than others to adjust. I'd just give her time and keep trying. Good luck! :)

[infernalis]

What I find odd is Cali Kings are ravenous feeders normally.

have you tried warming the food a little?

Put it in a ziplock bag and set it in hot water for about 20 minutes, then try while the food is still warm, Hope that helps/works for you.

[Lascaux]

I haven't taken her out yet, I wanted her to be comfortable enough to eat.

I do warm her food and I put them in her cage with feeding tongs. I've also tried washing the pinkies too.

[NennaMeerkat]

Have you tried braining the pinks? Makes the scent of the pinky stronger.

[shaunyboy]

have you got hides in the tank

are your hot end temperatures hot enough

hope he eats soon

cheers shaun

[Lankyrob]

I would provide as much info about its viv/temps/environment just in case something isnt quite spot on as this can cause snakes now to eat.

Other than this make sure that the snake is left totally alone except spot cleaning and topping up water bowl and only offer food once a week and be patient.

[Lascaux]

The cool side is 85 while the warm is around 90. I live in Texas and I only have a window unit in the kitchen and the snake is in the bedroom. I do have a fan on at all times. I have a really basic kit so I'm not sure how accurate these things are but it says humidity is around 35.

I have tried braining, actually-- no luck

I do think she has grown since I got her. Maybe she just has a freaky slow metabolism? It took her a week and a half to shed. Spraying the cage did seem to help.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pyTTDmrhO4A/Top1Nx_-x8I/AAAAAAAAAQY/hQcOyTyHeCQ/s640/2011-10-03%25252000.20.46.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XPhEmhLt3RQ/Top1ZKXaJGI/AAAAAAAAAQg/zTwaeho6TuY/s640/2011-10-03%25252000.20.16.jpg

[Lascaux]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K3A3Zn6t6jU/TkHl6Xc-GGI/AAAAAAAAAC4/ku1ZWX074K8/s400/IMGP4135.JPG

[alessia55]

The cool side is 85 while the warm is around 90...humidity is around 35.

I have a few friends who have cal kings and from what I know, the temps should be 70-75 on the cool end and 85-90 on the hot end. Some snakes won't eat if their temps are off, so this might be part of the problem. (I'm no expert on cal kings, and if I'm wrong I'm sure someone here will correct me... but I just wanted to help out in the only way I can). Good luck :)

[Nismo89]

How are you getting your temps? Stick on thermometers suck I would at least get a probe thermometer on each side or go and get a temp gun.

[Lascaux]

How expensive are temp guns?

And yeah, I'm not too happy with these thermometers...

[youngster]

how expensive are temp guns?

And yeah, i'm not too happy with these thermometers...

$25-$40 usd for a reliable one.
There's crazy professional ones for hundreds of dollars!

[Gungirl]

you can get one online for $10- $20 search on ebay...

[Lankyrob]

We got ours on Ebay and promptly threw out our dial thermometers as they were as much as 10degrees out.

[Jay]

Flip that hide around.

[Nismo89]

I would also suggest covering all sides of the tank until he eats. At the very least cover the back and two sides with something he probably feels to vulnerable with all the sides open.

[Lascaux]

Ok, I'll flip the hide-- I'll try taping black construction paper on the sides of the tank too.

I need to wait for my paycheck to get a thermometer, I'm broke as **** fdgkljdflkg