To feed or not to feed?

**EL Ziggy** · 10-16-13, 09:19 AM

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well. My Cal King, Hannibal Caesar, refused food for the first time last Thursday. I didn't attempt to feed my MBK, Sasha Fierce, at the time because she was in deep blue and can be a finicky eater especially before she sheds. So it's been (2) weeks since either of them have eaten. I was going to attempt to feed them both tomorrow but Sasha Fierce still hasn't shed, even though she's post blue and has been pretty active for the last 2 days. Caesar also looks like he's going into pre-shed but has that's never stopped him from eating before. Should I go ahead and offer food tomorrow or should I wait another week? They're both pretty young so I don't want them to go too long without eating. Sasha Fierce is only 6 months old and Hannibal Caesar is approximately 10-11 months old. BTW temps look good, 76 on the cool side and 85 on the warm side.

sharthun · 10-16-13, 09:38 AM

what size prey does both eat? I would try feeding both. Medusa refused food last night but she is blue again lol So I had to discard a couple mice.

**EL Ziggy** · 10-16-13, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharthun

what size prey does both eat? I would try feeding both. Medusa refused food last night but she is blue again lol So I had to discard a couple mice.

Caesar eats small mice and Sasha Fierce eats hoppers. I was thinking of giving them both hoppers tomorrow. I hate discarding mice when they don't eat even though I've got 100 of them

sharthun · 10-16-13, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Caesar eats small mice and Sasha Fierce eats hoppers. I was thinking of giving them both hoppers tomorrow. I hate discarding mice when they don't eat even though I've got 100 of them

Yeah I was going to suggest going smaller for caesar.

formica · 10-16-13, 10:34 AM

if you know that shed is hit and miss for taking food, theres no harm in waiting

this is the great thing about having a monitor, missed feeds are never wasted lol

**EL Ziggy** · 10-16-13, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

if you know that shed is hit and miss for taking food, theres no harm in waiting

this is the great thing about having a monitor, missed feeds are never wasted lol

Good point formica, I don't think I can handle a monitor though

. Sasha Fierce is hit or miss in shed but I'm hoping she'll finish her shed today or tomorrow. Caesar has always eaten until last week. My concern is that they're both a little young to miss many meals. I think I'll give it a shot tomorrow or Friday and hope for the best. I was wondering if the change in weather has any effect on their eating habits. Its getting a little cooler here but no change in their viv temperatures.

sharthun · 10-16-13, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Good point formica, I don't think I can handle a monitor though

. Sasha Fierce is hit or miss in shed but I'm hoping she'll finish her shed today or tomorrow. Caesar has always eaten until last week. My concern is that they're both a little young to miss many meals. I think I'll give it a shot tomorrow or Friday and hope for the best. I was wondering if the change in weather has any effect on their eating habits. Its getting a little cooler here but no change in their viv temperatures.

Good luck!

**EL Ziggy** · 10-17-13, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharthun

Good luck!

Thanks Steve. I'll let you all know how it goes. Hopefully they'll both be hungry and woof down some vermin

slowhite03 · 10-16-13, 09:39 PM

I don't feed during shed, I don't see the point

Starbuck · 10-16-13, 09:52 PM

all my snakes eat all the time. I never change my feeding schedule if they are in blue etc.

i would thaw one prey item, try caesar, if he refuses try it with sasha.

**EL Ziggy** · 10-17-13, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

all my snakes eat all the time. I never change my feeding schedule if they are in blue etc.

i would thaw one prey item, try caesar, if he refuses try it with sasha.

Great idea Starbuck! This will minimize any potential losses and starts with the highest probability of success. I like the way you think

**EL Ziggy** · 10-17-13, 11:02 PM

Just wanted to give everyone an update. Caesar refused to eat for the 2nd consecutive week. He didn't seem interested in the least. I have no idea why he's suddenly off schedule. Temps are good at 77 and 86. Not sure what else I can do. I'll try again next week. The good news is Sasha Fierce ate 2 hoppers tonight.

Starbuck · 10-18-13, 05:10 AM

glad sasha ate for you!
How old/large is caesar (weight wise)?

Is it possible hes setting up for brumation or something (even if you werent intending on it)?
Has the day/night light cycle changed lately? Are you using natural sunlight or do you have lamps on timers?

sharthun · 10-18-13, 05:46 AM

Good news for Sasha!

**EL Ziggy** · 10-18-13, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharthun

Good news for Sasha!

Yeah Steve, I thawed the hopper on top of her viv to see if I could get her excited to eat but I offered it to Caesar first. I dangled the mouse on tongs and he just sniffed at it and slithered away. Left it in with him for maybe 30 minutes and he didn't do anything. Reheated it just a bit and offered it to Sasha who snatched it quickly off the tongs from inside her hide. I decided to try Caesar again, thawed another, covered his tank and left it in with him for 90 minutes and still nothing. Figured I'd try to give Sasha seconds before discarding the hopper, thinking she would refuse, and to my surprise she struck hard again and ate quickly. Now if I could just get Caesar back on track I would be a happy camper.