Food refusal

brylecc1989 · 06-15-11, 12:24 PM

Hey everyone. I got my BRB 10 days ago. Yesterday i attempted to feed her one pinkie and she wouldnt eat it. Her temps are at 85 and i mist her twice daily. I know she may just be settling in, but how long until this is an issue? Also, ive researched assist feeding quite a bit and read that some babies just need to be assist fed a couple times and they will continue eating regularly after that. Anyonew had any experience with this? She is a little over a month old. Thanks in advance.

Lankyrob · 06-15-11, 12:25 PM

I would assume whomever sold her to you would have fed her at least twice in which case just wait another week and try again. It isnt an issue until the snake losses weight and condition - at which point i would want a vet check before thinking about assist feeding.

stephanbakir · 06-15-11, 12:38 PM

Assist feeding is SUPER stressful to the animal, stay away from it unless there are no other options.

brylecc1989 · 06-15-11, 01:18 PM

Ok thanks guys. I got her at an expo and i know they usually feed right before to make the animals docile so i wasnt sweating it last tuesday(feeding day) but yesterday when she refused again I was concerned. Tonight I will put her in a small container overnight with a f/t and see if she eats. If not i'll wait til next week and take her to a vet if she refuses again. As always appreciate the advice.

Bryan

Lankyrob · 06-15-11, 01:32 PM

If you attempt again today you will just stress the snake out - leave it be - no contact at all (except for changing water) for a week and try then. We had an member on here who had a hatchling not take food fo TEN MONTHS straight from the egg.

She will eat when she wants to not when you want her too just give her time - as long as her condition is ok and she has water she will be ok.

TeaNinja · 06-15-11, 01:36 PM

i was born in 1989 also B)

Snakesitter · 06-15-11, 04:35 PM

Brylecc, congrats on your new acquisition. Brazilians are wonderful snakes.

There are many items that can cause feeding refusals. While I'm sure you've considered many of these, let's go down the list just to make sure.

For temps, you said she is at 85 -- that could be the issue right there. A setting of 85 is too warm for even the hot end, and constant exposure to such a level can kill one of these snakes. Try providing a gradient of 72 low to 82 high, and see how she does.

For humidity, you said you mist twice a day, but not what the general level is. For a baby, around 90% is ideal. Related to this, what type of viv is she in? Does it have a tight top with limited ventilation? If so, twice a day may be overdoing it, and stressing her out. If it is a screen top, all the misting in the world will not help you out.

For other factors, is her viv in a low traffic area, and does she have access to a secure moist hide? These snakes are secretive, so lack of privacy can cause stress. Is her cage well lit? These snakes are nocturnal, so same thing.

You said you got her at an expo. Did the seller give you any background on her, such as preferred prey item or feeding frequency? She may like rats better than mice, for example, or refuse F/T. What about her last shed? Some Brazilians will refuse meals when entering shed.

I agree that assist feeding should be avoided, as should offering another meal so soon. She will eat on her own time. However, a few tips: next time you offer, do not handle her the day of or the day before, offer the meal at dusk (just after the suns sets, when these snakes are often very active), use a piping hot prey item (not just warm, but hot), and leave the room just after offering it to her -- and stay away for over an hour. If she still refuses, *then* you can brown bag her with it.

Anyway, I hope these suggestions help. Good luck!

brylecc1989 · 06-15-11, 09:43 PM

Extremely informative post snakesitter thank you. I had no idea i was too hot. I really regret not asking more questions from her breeder, but with all the excitement, people, getting her sexed and everything most of them usually slip my mind. I'm not going to assist feed. I'll leave her be and try your suggestions next week. Thanks again for your advice.

Bryan

whoaxmary · 06-16-11, 07:13 AM

Best of luck ~ Keep us updated. Remember as haaaard as it is to stay away from a new snake, the less you interact with them now, the better they should settle in, so it's best for the long wrong. As Lanky mentioned, other members have gone up towards a year without a certain snake eating, so don't worry yourself.
Asking questions now is better than never at all.

Snakesitter · 06-17-11, 03:17 PM

Good luck, Bryan, and please keep us posted!

brylecc1989 · 06-22-11, 04:26 PM

Tried again yesterday with snakesitter's method to no avail. Skipped the brown bag though as she was buried in substrate and didn't want to stress her by just pulling her out. Guess ill try again next week!

shaunyboy · 06-22-11, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Assist feeding is SUPER stressful to the animal, stay away from it unless there are no other options.

^^^^^
this

i had a hatchling go until 10 months of age with no ill effect,shes never missed a feed since

she was a little small for her age but has caught up now shes over 3 years old

try heating your prey item,then puncturing 2 or 3 holes through the skull.

grey liquid should come out the puncture holes

give the head an extra heat with a hairdryer then offer on feeding tongs

if your still in contact with the breeder,you could always get in touch and ask him to tell you his exact feeding method or if there were any little tricks he used to initiate a feeding responce

cheers shaun

Snakesitter · 06-26-11, 06:14 PM

Good advice, Shaun. Bryan, she will get hungry eventually!

stephanbakir · 06-26-11, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeaNinja

i was born in 1989 also B)

But.. can you dance..
Couldn't resist:P
January 1989 woot woot.