Advice for my new snake!

cazmantis · 04-07-09, 05:43 AM

Hi,

I just bought the cutest Irian Jaya Carpet crossed with a junglexjag. I will post some photos of him soon so everyone can see. However, more pressingly I have a few questions and would really appreciate some information if anyone out there has the time!

1) I have had him home for about 2 1/2 weeks now and he still hasn't eaten despite four feeding attempts. I was expecting this as he is quite stressed from the move I can imagine. At least he has started to strike at the rat pup then hold onto it for a second before dropping it! Just wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks or advice on getting him eating. And if he shows no signs of feeding when should I take him to the vet! (am I overeacting ^_^)

2) I have a thermostst on the lamp for heating. I have it set to about 28 degrees during the day and 22 degrees C at night. When I initially turn it down to 22 degrees C the lamp clicks off, but when I wake up in the morning it's always come back on again - even though it's only on low. I'm just worried that he's not getting enough perpetual darkness - what's everyone else's views on this?

Thanks for your time,

Caz

Chu'Wuti · 04-07-09, 08:34 PM

Hi, Caz, welcome to the forum!

Do you have an under the tank heat pad (UTH)? That would probably be a better source of heat and then you wouldn't have the problem with the light coming on when the tank gets too cold.

As for the feeding issue, it sounds like you're feeding F/T (frozen/thawed) prey and maybe your snake needs it to act more alive. Once he grabs the prey, don't let go immediately--hold on and give it a couple of twitches (gentle--you don't want to jerk it away from the snake, but it should be enough to convince the snake the prey is still alive). Sometimes that helps.

As for overreacting--maybe a little, but I do understand--been there, done that! LOL

Some snakes will go several months without eating. Don't worry too much yet, OK? We'll figure out something to get him eating! You might check out another thread where I posted some tricks to get a snake eating--do a search for "Burmase" (yes, misspelled). I don't have time to search & copy or repost . . . sorry! good luck!

I'll check in on things tomorrow, and by then, other people will have posted suggestions, too, I'm sure!

cazmantis · 04-08-09, 01:12 AM

Hey thanks for the advice. I'm going to wait another day then I'll give it another go. I'll try jerking the thawed rat pup about a bit too!

I had asked the guys in the shop if I should use a heat mat and they seemed very much against it as they said it could burn the snake but I was not intending on putting the mat inside the tank but underneath! I have made him a little set up which has an area of darkness so at least he has that option. I'll let you know how feeding goes :-)

starry11 · 04-08-09, 01:59 PM

Hi Caz! I'm new here too.
If it's only been two weeks then i wouldn't worry. Iv'e got a royal that hasn't eaten in 3 months! First time it happened i was so panicked but they eventually get there. Snakes are quite shy at feeding so mabye if you swap your heat lamp for an under heater pad like chu'wuti said above then the darkness will make it feel more secure and might encourage it to eat. I' definetely reccoomend heat pads as they keep good temps and creates a nice basking spot without disturbing the snakes day/ night cycle. Are you feeding at night or in the day? Night time usually works good. Sometimes if the prey is too big or small it can discourage the snake from eating it. Also try feeding it when it's in or near it's hide so it can drag it in there and feel secure. I'm sure you'll get there keep trying and keep us posted

Louise

cazmantis · 04-08-09, 03:55 PM

Thanks for all the help guys! I'm going to try feeding him again tomorrow. In the meantime here's a photo (I hope it displays okay!)

I'm still stuck for a name though! S/he is just called Snakey for now!

Best,

Caz

starry11 · 04-08-09, 04:09 PM

ooh very pretty snake! Love the skull too. I'm the same i can't decide what to call my burmese .

cazmantis · 05-04-09, 02:21 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I went to the pet store where I'd bought him amd the guy said just to stop handling him for a bit (I was getting him out everyday which I suppose when he's just arrived home is a bit full on lol). I stopped handling and tried mice instead of rat pups and it worked like a miracle - he has eated two meals now. Success!

cazmantis · 05-04-09, 02:22 AM

Oh yeah and I just remembered to say that I decided to call him/her Pilbara.

carciady · 05-04-09, 04:57 AM

Nice looking snake, i am glad you have managed to get it to eat, its always a worry, but they can go with out food for a long time. Dont feed it while it is shedding as the snake needs all its energy to go through the shed cycle.

Chu'Wuti · 05-04-09, 11:29 AM

Beautiful snake, Caz! and congratulations on getting it to eat! You must have been so relieved!

GoodSmeagol · 05-04-09, 07:11 PM

Names Names Names...
I got tired of naming my pets.
So... I got
Baal, Baal, Baal - my 3 Ball Pythons
Ball, my Hedgehog
And then, Isis(the last pet who got a real name)

Now I sit at home, and I say to my friends, haa check out Baal, and they go huh who? I go, Baal you know the snake.
heh I have fun with it.
At work one of the receptionists, older woman maybe 55, I come into work everyday, she greats me with a, "How are your Balls today?"
I find it pretty funny

Kmef07 · 05-05-09, 10:06 AM

haha that is funny. hopefuly she doesn't ask to give them a bath for you cuz that could be akward.....

Chu'Wuti · 05-05-09, 10:46 AM

BTW, use the thermostat on the UTH--if you set it to run at 88 deg F max during the day and 81-83 F max at night, he won't get burned.

Will0W783 · 05-05-09, 10:48 AM

Quote:

haha that is funny. hopefuly she doesn't ask to give them a bath for you cuz that could be akward.....

ROTFL.....sexual harrassment!

Kmef07 · 05-05-09, 01:17 PM

ya the way people blow sexual harrassment out of the water today she would be up for the death penalty. lol. Someone would need to get sexual harrassment panda to talk to her.