Having a real bad feeding issue.... need some help!;(

[ReticMan123]

Ok so if anyone remembers an earlier post I made about a feeding technique or a good way to introduce the prey to the predator so to speak. My relic who for those who aren't familiar he is 5 foot and about 1000grams like 6 months old. He has been eating regularly for. Wile ow medium ats weekly live. So I was a little unsure about how to introduce his prey to him. I shave tried holding the rat in front of him which usually just gets him scared and defensive striking at it. I have tried just letting the rat loose in his cage but then they barly ever come in contact. For the most part he needs to be like coaxed and Annoy him before he finally gives up nd constricts then eats. So that has worked for a while but I know that this can be easier and relics are normally easy to get into feed mode. I don't know what I could be doin wrong. Does anyone have any ideas? I was thinking maybe just prekilling the rat maybe if I do hat followed by dangling the rat in front of him he won't be as scared and hell go for it? Or I was just thinking stop bothering him so much and just put the rat in and await util he does his thing. I'm just not sure and I know older more experienced keepers have to come across this kind of issue before I hope to fix this issue soon I have tried feeding him tonight medium rat but he was very defensive and annoyed. I lifted p his hide before i fed him so maybe that annoyed and distracted him I just don't kow anymore. In his 55 gallon tank he has aspen bedding, a water dish, 2 hides and a large branch. Sorry for the long post but and advice or tricks to kow wld be great:) thanks guys

Mike

[ReticMan123]

heres a recent pic Of him

[SpOoKy]

I don't own a retic but one suggestioon I have is to leave hom alone for a week or two. Just do needed spot checks and water change. Try a pre killed or frozen thawed rat when you see him out and moving about his cage. If he is hungry and not threatened by a movie defensive rat, he should eat. Also be sure your husbandry is correct. What are your temps? Humidity? Has anything channged since he stopped eating?

[iBaman]

you might also be feeding too often. feed when he starts looking for it, so you KNOW you'll have a good feeding response, especially this time of year. usually it takes pajamas 12 days before he's ready for his next meal.

[Rogue628]

How long have you had him? What's your temps and humidity like? You said he was eating regularly before and this was with you, or you and the previous owner? How many meals have you successfully fed him?

If you heat and humidity aren't correct, I suggest you listen to him breath to see if you can hear continuous popping sounds or wheezing. If he's getting sick , he may not eat.

Also, he's about 5 foot long and in a 55 gallon? I don't know tank sizes, what's the approximate length and width of the tank?

Another thing...and I have NO idea but it's just a thought even though he's quite young and I hope more experienced retic keepers can tell us... but is it possible he could be feeling the need to breed early?

That being said, make sure your temps and humidity are perfect. Also, don't handle him again until he does eat and even though I'd make sure he ate at least two consecutive feedings before handling. For cleanings, place him in another tub and quickly clean and put him back. I also suggest waiting until he see him more active and appearing to hunt. Then try offering food at night instead of the day. If you feel you must offer, offer every 10 days as opposed to every 7 days. Personally, I'd wait and see if you can get a more natural response out of him by letting him tell you when he's hungry. Sometimes we get too anxious when our snakes don't 'act' like we think they should. But I"d only worry if he started loosing weight.

Another suggestion is see if another food source will entice him into a better food response.

Good luck and I'm sure more experienced keepers will chime in with different or better suggestions!

And if you ever get at your wits end with him not eating, you can always send him to me. :D He's absolutely gorgeous!

[ReticMan123]

Thanks everyone....to answer a few questions the 55 gallon is 48 inches by 12 inches by 20 inches high. Good sze for him until spring. As far as feeding I have had him since he was a hatchling and he didn't eat his 3rd meal until 2 months of age then on he ate frequently weekly to every 10 days. But as I said fore many of those times were difficult it seems he's a ERy shy eater. His temps ne'er fall below 75 on cool side or reach above 82 Warm side always approx in the 90s. I believe it's all
Pretty well husbandry wise. And I honk he's still far too young to be going off feed for breeding he's oly 1000 grams and 5 foot. I will wait a week and try again. Was thinking just letting the rat go for an hour. And not disturbing the retic at all beforehand. If that does not work I will pre kill and try that dangling in front of him. Ugh I'm sure everyone knows if your snakes not right your not right! So frustrating lol

[KORBIN5895]

If he is a shy feeder I would recommend getting him out of the glass aquarium and into a wooden Viv or a tote. Give him more security.

[Rogue628]

^^ Bingo. Good call. I didn't think of that although I usually throw a towel or blanket over mine when I feed so they'll pay more attention to their food than what's going on outside their enclosures.

[iBaman]

yeah, i had to put cardboard up around pajamas' tank so he'd eat and feel more secure.

[millertime89]

I agree with getting him into something that he'll feel a little more secure in and holds heat and humidity better. It is possible, albeit unlikely, that he is feeling the need to breed, he's big enough but not old enough, but its not out of the realm of possibility, you sure he's not actually a year and 6 months old?

[lemon]

An aquarium is a terrible enclosure for a retic.

Only one side should be transparent otherwise the snake will never feel safe.

If the snake is not keen on the prey then try a defrosted rodent and leave the food item in overnight and dont constantly stare at him as he will most likely feel uncomfortable.

I have never fed live and its very rare for keepers to do so in the uk. I have wc that quite happily feed on defrosted and by the sounds of it your snake would prefer this as well.

[Metalserpent]

Well put lemon. Another trick is to serve the thawed food at a warmer temp. They do have heat detection. Just fed our purple a 4 lbs rabbit served nice and warm. She hit it hard!

[ReticMan123]

Thanks everyone i will wait a week then cover his enclosure and just introduce the rat and leave him alone for a bit then hope for the best. Me dangling the dethawed rat in front of him stressed him even more so wish me luck;)

[Rogue628]

Try covering the back and sides now and wait a week before offering food. And leave him completely alone during that time. A blanket should be able to cover most of it. Another trick I do, althought there has been debate on if it actually works or not, is to feed him at night. Theyre usually more active at night and you could possibly get a better feed response after he's up and active. I still feed mine at night, partially because I do feel I get a better feed response compared to when I feed during the day....and partially because I work evenings and I prefer to feed them as work rather than before work. Even if feed day is my off day, I still feed at night, usually a couple of hours after the sun goes completely down.

It wouldn't hurt to try.

[ReticMan123]

He will shed tomorrow or next day and I am going to coer his cage with black cardboard so he can't be distracted or scared by me that's. A old plan than you. And I am sure he's 6 months old I purchased him as a 60 gram hatchling