Feeding Issues.

[JoleneVissers]

I seem to have issues with feeding my new snake. I've had her for 2 weeks now and she still refuses to eat. I offer her the rat pinkies and she refuses them all the time. Any suggestions would be great. I know if I let her go long enough she'll eat but I really want her to start eating soon.

[lady_bug87]

The rule of thumb is to not offer food more than once every 7-10 days. As long as the snake isnt visibly losing weight or looking sickly I wouldnt worry. It takes some individuals time to acclimate to a new environment. Also, make sure your husbandry is bang on.

[KORBIN5895]

They feed mice where you got her from. It may take awhile to switch her over to rats. Gabby had a hard time taking rats. How is the mite thing going?

[lady_bug87]

O man if its on mice you can try heavy scenting... thaw a mouse and a rat and split the mouse open covering the whole rat with mouse stink and guts and use a blow dryer to really heat the head it may help if not.. patience my friend

[Ridge Runner_20]

And if you can, also try scenting with mouse bedding, poop and all. :wacky: My Hog Island had a tough time with rats at first as well, but scenting with the mouse bedding did the trick the very first time, and she's not looked back since. Best of luck!

RR_20 (Mike)

[JoleneVissers]

They feed mice where you got her from. It may take awhile to switch her over to rats. Gabby had a hard time taking rats. How is the mite thing going?


The mite thing is cleared up thank god! Harley hated being on the paper towel so he was quite happy being back on the substrate we have.

I offer her a pinky rat every 7 days to see if she'll take it. Harley was fed mice and gladly took the rats with no problem. Rose on the other had is a little more stubborn... typical girl I'd say lol. I'll have to see if I can pick up some mice sometime to do the sent thing and see if that works.

Thanks for the advice guys =)

[KORBIN5895]

Let me know next time you are in town and I can hook you up with mouse scented bedding and a mouse. Good luck.

[JoleneVissers]

Let me know next time you are in town and I can hook you up with mouse scented bedding and a mouse. Good luck.

I'll make sure to give you a call. I'm not really sure when we're heading up that way. Hopefully soon since I'd like to pick up a few heat bulbs before any of mine go again and some substrate, I looked for the stuff around here that you told me about but they don't have it. I really hate not having a pet store around.

[KORBIN5895]

Get your heat bulbs at Canadian tire. It like five dollars for a 100 watt red floodlight. That's what I use. I will see if this Canadian tire has any left. I need some for my new vivs.

[JoleneVissers]

Our Canadian tire only carries the 200 Watt bulbs and wont order me in the 100 watts so I'm out of luck there.