Trouble feeding a C. mitchelli phyrus

molossus · 07-10-09, 10:52 PM

I recently collected my first hot, a beautiful, female pink speck. It's decently young (5 rattle segments) and looks fat and healthy. I have had her for roughly three weeks.

I can't get the thing to eat. I've tried frozen thawed mice several times, a FT fuzzy, an adult live mouse, a dead leopard lizard and an dead spiny lizard. It seemed curious about the live mouse, but seemed to be scared of it, so I quickly removed it to avoid injury.

Right now she is in a secured 20g L, of which I have covered the sides with black cardboard. I have the bottom covered with non-adhesive shelf liner, and have hides on both the heated (lamp) end and cool end (where she spends most of her time, on TOP of it). This is a temporary enclosure only, as I'll be picking up a vision 332 (and locks obviously) within the next week.

I keep quite a few other snakes and know my way around a trouble feeder, but this one is obviously a little different. Any advice for a first timer?

Here's a picture:

**Aaron_S** · 07-12-09, 07:25 PM

It's a wild caught animal. It may not ever eat for you. Maybe if she spends all the time on the cool side that it's just too hot for her?

Better yet, just release her and buy a CBB venomous snake if you're hellbent on keeping them.

molossus · 07-12-09, 11:15 PM

Thanks, Aaron, but it's not that the animal is wild caught. I have worked with many WC animals in the past (including rattlesnakes) and this one is just a bit more of a challenge. I may just have to go find a couple of kangaroo rats or young birds and work on conversion to FT feeders.

I changed the enclosure up a bit and it seems the preference is for the particular piece of furnishing she sits on, not necessarily the temperature.

It is illegal to buy or sell native reptiles where I live.

**Aaron_S** · 07-13-09, 09:21 PM

You don't need to buy a native reptile to where you live. Buy an out of state venomous. I just prefer not to catch and keep.

Still can be attributed to the animal being wild caught. Some really won't eat.

molossus · 07-13-09, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

You don't need to buy a native reptile to where you live. Buy an out of state venomous. I just prefer not to catch and keep.

Still can be attributed to the animal being wild caught. Some really won't eat.

Aaron, I understand what you mean. It is also illegal in Arizona to import venomous snakes, bought or otherwise.

I disagree about this being solely due to being wild caught. I have many snakes (all but 2 are rescues, and the others were collected from a high-traffic road) and none have had any issues with feeding. I am a pretty experienced herp keeper and have been involved in the community locally for quite some time. Some are just harder to get acclimated than others, and this can be true in WC as well as CB in new surroundings. In this species, I have heard that even CB can be very difficult to work out a first meal, and sometimes must be forcefed. My question was really posed to anyone who may have some experience with young C. mitchelli. I appreciate your opinion on wild-caught animals, but it's not helping me with my question. I'd be more than happy to debate the ethics of keeping this animal in another thread, perhaps.

**Aaron_S** · 07-14-09, 03:13 AM

Bryan I am not trying to argue with you. I was just making my thoughts known to your situation. I do not possess any experience with the species in question and wouldn't be able to suggest anything specific to your problem. Although you did mention getting other animals. Maybe getting one and freezing it and using that to scent all other prey might help or work?

Otherwise, I'm afraid you may not find your answers here. This forum isn't frequented (to my knowledge) by too many venomous snake keepers.

Mrdavisito09 · 07-16-09, 11:44 AM

hi my name is david i agree with your idea, trying to use kangaroo rats and small birds somtimes you can just completley ignore the snake keep it in a dark place for about a week and then try feeding it

C#@$e · 07-17-09, 08:41 AM

beutiful, hots are so cool but my rents would never let me get one

Bo@Boy · 07-17-09, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C#@$e

beutiful, hots are so cool but my rents would never let me get one

Yeah they are very beautiful, I agree Chase. That is a beautiful specimen you got there molosus sorry I can't help you out. I am afraid to keep hots...knowing me I would probably have way too many shots of Patron and get bit....

Joel La Rocque · 08-11-09, 05:44 PM

I have had Various species of Crotalus and some will go for months with out touching a bite of food. May I suggest you allow it to calm down for a few more weeks, don't pester it or check it every five minutes. Make sure it has a hide box, the proper Temperature and above all clean fresh water in a good sized bowl. Later on use the right sized frozen thawed mouse with a small slit in the abdomen so the scent is easily picked up by the snake. Do this at sun down and go no where near it until the next day. This may take a few tries but the snake will eat when it is hungry. 40 years and I have never lost one to starvation but stress KILLS and does so fast. The hide box is vital. Give me a yell direct if I can be of help. Joel at specializedvenoms@gmail.com Good luck.