Dumeril's not eating - Page 2

lovemyskittles · 01-03-11, 03:18 AM

When I showed him the mouse that's what I did - wiggle it and whatnot. I held it there for him to "sniff" for a while before putting it down in front of him. I've heard that it does work for some so good luck to you!! I hope your snake starts to eat for you again

@Ninja - At this point we're hoping that it is just the time of year since it does cool off quite a bit here - but since we keep his cage at a constant temperature you'd think the seasons wouldn't affect him/them so much. We'll give him another break and try again down the road.

Thanks for the replies... as unfortunate as it is that your snakes aren't eating during this time of the year it is slightly nice to know we're not the only ones experiencing difficulties. I only hope that it is the season and not him....

citysnakes · 01-03-11, 10:45 AM

A 20" dumerils is a young snake and most young snakes eat through the entire winter so i wouldnt attribute his not eating to the season.

i think your tank is too big for him and his hides do not provide the sense of security that a little dumerils needs. i would move him out of that 20gal tank and put him in a no larger than a 10gal tank(if you must use tanks and not tubs) for now. i would also give him two identical hides on each end of the smaller tank. also get rid of that branch thing, with those holes in it, it looks like it can be dangerous.

from the pics, it doesnt look like his hot spot can be 90F. his hot spot must be 90F on the floor of the enclosure where the animal will have access to it. you need to put a digital thermometer probe inside the hide on the hot end and make sure you get a reading of 90F in that location. if youre getting a reading of 90F on that dial thermometer stuck on the side of the tank under the heat lamp then there is no way that it is 90F at his basking area.

a sense of security and proper temps are very important when trying to get a non feeder feeding again. i think that if you continue to keep him in his oversized and most likely too cold enclosure then he will continue to not eat.

goodluck.

lovemyskittles · 01-03-11, 12:32 PM

Thank you for your response. I do not agree with what you said and found a bit of what you said to be slightly rude but I appreciate the concern

marvelfreak · 01-03-11, 05:46 PM

Digital thermometer with probe are only like $8.00 at Walmart.They're a 100 better than the dial stick on.

lovemyskittles · 01-03-11, 09:59 PM

Thanks marvelfreak, we actually have had one for a while now and his tank is at the appropriate temperature.

citysnakes · 01-03-11, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemyskittles

Thank you for your response. I do not agree with what you said and found a bit of what you said to be slightly rude but I appreciate the concern

...seriously...?

it was not my intention to come off as rude as i genuinely wanted to provide you with some useful advice.

you do not have to agree but keep in mind that i have a room full of eating, healthy snakes and you have a non-feeding dumerils with a cloudy future. (<-- this may have been slightly rude, see the diff?)

goodluck, again...

Reptile_Reptile · 01-03-11, 10:10 PM

no need for that... a storms a brewin

mokeyloke · 01-03-11, 11:31 PM

I have two Dumeril's. In my opinion they can be some of the pickiest snakes to get feeding again once they've had their routine disrupted. When I got my last one it took almost 3 months to get her to eat something and another 3 to get her eating regularly. Now she'll take anything offered. Just be patient. Your snake knows it needs to eat to survive. It'll happen. It's not really an issue until you see noticeable weight loss.