Feeding my older snake .

[Tracy33]

Hi guys , have not been on for a while .
I have a question about my CP . I don't know if its he's age or what , but he only seems to eat a rat , maybe every 2 to 3 months . I tried another rat tonight and he does not want it again . I hold the rat for about 20 mins , and he keeps smelling it , but does not take it . It seems , he just wants to climb up on me .
The rats i am throwing away is mad .
He last eat just over 2 months ago , he eat 2 rats . The thing is , i just can,t see the sign's any more , that he is hungry .
Btw , i should point out that he will be 17 yrs old , this coming October .
Is this an age thing , he used to strike and eat more regular .
Any advice would be great .

[marvelfreak]

My 12 year old male Jungle will go 5 months every winter with out eating. The rest of the year he'll eat once or twice a month. I just started offering once a month some time he'll take it others he won't. But for eating little as he still put on 2.4 lbs last year. He 8'.4" and weighs 17 lbs. So i would say it just age. Try just offering once every 4 to 5 weeks. Maybe if you don't offer it as often, when you do he will be more willing to take it.

[Tracy33]

Thanks Marvelfreak , very much . That really helps me out .
Its true , my CP also goes months over winter without eating , and this was why i was worried , as he was not eating much the rest of the year . He is 8ft .
Like you say , i will offer him fewer feeds .
Thanks again .

[franks]

Maybe if he got one large rat per feeding instead of two he would digest quicker and look to eat again sooner? It may be worth the try.

[Tracy33]

Originally Posted by franks

Maybe if he got one large rat per feeding instead of two he would digest quicker and look to eat again sooner? It may be worth the try.

Thanks , I will try that . Although as a rule , I do feed him one rat , the two was just a one off .

[GUITARZAN509]

My 18 year old 8 foot long term captive still eate every Two weeks year round, Jumbo rats

[shaunyboy]

as long as he's not losing weight or showing any other health issues i would'nt worry...

i would offer prey less often and keep him on the feeding schedule he seems to have chose


its really good to hear of an oldie carpet,it's a credit to your husbandry


cheers shaun

[SnakeAddiction]

Just to chime in for a min. I've had a few that would go off feed as well. Sometimes I would leave the rat (f/t) in the cage over night, and sometimes by morning it would be gone. So maybe next time he doesn't want it, just leave it in and check on him in the morning.

But just like these guys said, as long as he is healthy and not losing weight, have no worries.

[Tracy33]

Thanks so much all , that really has put my mind to rest .
It has been a worry , what with his age and that .
He seems good in every other way , he even took the stairs in our house , twice yesterday . It takes him forever going up them , something he use to do more in his younger days .
The fact that he does not move around so much , could be one reason why he needs less food .