rat snake problem

[Snakeman8]

i have a 4 week old greenish rat snake (blackxyellow) thats not eating, can anyone hep me find out why?

[Kingsnakechris]

How long ago did you get it? What are the temps in his cage?

[Snakeman8]

got her three weeks ago, the tempatures are as they should be, but when we put the food in there, she tags it and goes under the news paper, but not before trying to tag me.

[Terranaut]

Has she even shed yet?
Wait for first shed then first feed.
Defensive strikes mean your stressing the snake.

[Gungirl]

I know you say the temps are good but can you tell us what they are? How are you heating the tank? what does the set up look like? How often are you handling it? What was it being fed prior to you getting it? How was it being fed said prey Item? All of these are important questions we need answers to so that we can help you out.

[Kettennatter]

I had a similar problem with a young rat snake. Defrost a pinky, warm it with a blowdryer, brain the pinky, put pinky and snake in a paper lunch bag, place the bag into the enclosure at room temperature, close the enclosure. Then wait overnight.

[Snakeman8]

i temp the cage at least 82-83, i feed her pinkies and she shed a week ago, i handle her often (trying to get her used to me), she has a water bowl,a small tree/rock she climbs on, and a hide box. shes also likes to bite everything that moves.

[rmfsnakes32]

If she wont eat then you need to stop handling her until she has two consistent feeds she is very stressed out thats why she is striking you every chance she gets and leave her alone for at least 48 hours after eating then offer a meal every 5 to 7 days. Sorry if I sound harsh not trying to but for yours and the snakes sanity let her get a chance to relax in her enviroment

[Skumbo]

Get two hides, one on the warm side one on the cool side of the cage.

Then, leave the snake alone. wait for her/him to shed, then feed it. My second question is - you got the snake at a week old? Thats pretty young for buying a snake. Many snakes wont eat for a month or two coming out of the egg, especially if they haven't shed yet.

Also - if it hasnt eaten before, it's not sure what food is yet, so you may be stressing it out - especially if its tagging its food but not eating it. It feels threatened by the food, and thats the last thing you want is a snake afraid of mice.

[Snakeman8]

thanks! u guys have been very helpful.

[Skumbo]

thanks! u guys have been very helpful.

Let us know when you try to feed next if you're successful! Nothing feels better than a stubborn snake taking to a meal, makes you feel like a good parent :yes:

[Snakeman8]

gave her a pinkie yesterday, all she did was drag it around the cage.

[Kettennatter]

gave her a pinkie yesterday, all she did was drag it around the cage.

I would feed it outside of the cage, or inside the cage in a paper bag, possibly overnight. Sometimes it helps to block all other forms stimulation. Did you try warming and braining the pinkies yet?

[rmfsnakes32]

You could also try a deli cup with some holes in it and leave it over night in its enclosure

[Terranaut]

Yeah. Just leave it alone. Let it sit overnight and check it in the morning. The snake is probably trying to take the prey away from you watching. Be patient and I will respectfully disagree with feeding outside the enclosure. Its a waste of time an effort.

[Kettennatter]

I would agree that feeding outside the enclosure is a waste for established feeders. Confining the snake with the prey is one technique that got a number of my colubrids hatchlings to start feeding. It may or may not work in this case, but I would surely try.

[Terranaut]

Then best to feed it when its in its hide. Dangle the food at the door. Wait for him to take it or toss it in. Leave him be and check back in 24 hrs. It will work this way. If not then try braining and new tub or whatever. Feeding issues are mostly the keeper doing something the snake doesn't like or husbandry issues. Sound to me like the op is to hands on. I mean the snake is trying to drag the prey to a safe spot. Let it do so and it will eat. My Pit loves to eat in her hide. Have you seen her feeding video I posted. She takes the prey into the hide imediately after striking. Anyway like I said I think there is just to much human intetaction going on here. Toss in food...walk away...return to fat snake tomorrow :)

[Snakeman8]

I am going to try the paper bag today. Might brain it.:)

[Lankyrob]

I am going to try the paper bag today. Might brain it.:)

You only tried feeding it YESTERDAY!!! Give it some space, only try to feed every 7 days or you will stress it to death.

[Snakeman8]

My ball has no problem at all, she'll eat anything that fits in her mouth.

[Lankyrob]

My ball has no problem at all, she'll eat anything that fits in her mouth.

What relevance has this to the rat snake?

[Kettennatter]

I agree with Lankyrob. Don't handle it for a few days an vary your approach. Not all of my corns eat the same way. None of them respond well to dangling food, but all of my kings do.

What I'm saying is: Take your time and find an approach that will work for your snake.

[Snakeman8]

.............

[Snakeman8]

I just was telling that the other one has no problems.

[Kettennatter]

I just was telling that the other one has no problems.

We believe you, and maybe the explanation was too short. Different types of snakes tolerate handling differently. Even within the same subspecies I have snakes that react differently to human interaction.

As a general rule I would minimize handling for a snake that exhibits feeding problems.

[Snakeman8]

Didn't mean to say today, on my iPod, corrected my spelling.

[Snakeman8]

Oh,
This is my first rat.

[Kettennatter]

Oh,
This is my first rat.

Rat snakes are great, IMHO. Give the guy a litte bit of rest and then try something new. We had a couple of suggestions in this thread. As long as the snake eats there is no right or wrong way, with a few exceptions.

[Snakeman8]

theres a good chance shes eating, just watched her start smelling the pinkie, then grab it and pull it under the news paper.
:)

[Kettennatter]

Just let us know how it turns out. ;)

[Kingsnakechris]

Good luck! Hope everything works out! There's some good advice here...

[Snakeman8]

She came out from under the news paper with a lump on her.

[Skumbo]

awesome! Now definitely let her feel safe and leave her alone for a week or so. Especially after a feed/first feed, the snake is going to want to know it has a safe place to digest

[Terranaut]

Congrats!!!

[Snakeman8]

thanks!
she doesnt strike at me as much, but really hates my ball python.

[Donnie]

How does she hate your BP? They shouldn't be near each other as your rat snake should still be in quarantine at the moment

[Wyldrose]

thanks!
she doesnt strike at me as much, but really hates my ball python.
How does she know about your BP? They should not see each other, or even be in the same room now. They should NEVER interact with each other. That stress could be whats making him not want to eat.

[Snakeman8]

Their cages next to to each other, she sees the ball move and she starts striking, but for some reason she won't strike at anything else now.

[Snakeman8]

Going to move their cages apart tomorrow.

[Snakeman8]

............

[Lankyrob]

Just put a piece of cardboard Between them so they cant see each other, pretty pointless moving them apart for quarantine reasons now they have already been so close.

[Snakeman8]

shes acually not striking as much, and is a hog when it comes to feeding, thought her feed box was going to fall over she thrashed so much!

[Snakeman8]

okay, something strange just happened, i look inside of her cage and she was uside down . i picked her up, an she slowly crawled across my hand and into her feeding box, its strange cause shes never done that before, usually i have to struggle to get her in!
and she was gapeing when she was upside down.

[Lankyrob]

okay, something strange just happened, i look inside of her cage and she was uside down . i picked her up, an she slowly crawled across my hand and into her feeding box, its strange cause shes never done that before, usually i have to struggle to get her in!
and she was gapeing when she was upside down.

I think you need to get her to a vet, did she eat? If you place her upside down can she right herself?

[Terranaut]

Omg. That doesn't sound good.