New Carpet Python owner needs advice - Page 2

gee · 04-18-12, 03:48 AM

So we tried feeding him again tonight. He's been covered up all week with only the fluro light at the top of the cage on and heat pad going. He runs away from the fuzzy when we dangle it near his face. Isn't interested in it at all. I have left it on a saucer over night but at this stage he has retreated to the far corner by his water tray. This is stressful for me, probably more than him though. I just wish he would eat something soon

gee · 04-18-12, 03:51 AM

Lankyrob, he isn't in complete darkness. We have a fluro light in order to keep his cage around 29 degrees. This is the temperature the pet store says he needs to be at. I'm thinking I might turn off the light tonight and see how he goes. Worth a shot!

Lankyrob · 04-18-12, 04:40 AM

Has he got branches or perches to climb on? Our guy will only eat when he is on the perch and prey is presented under neath him

gee · 04-18-12, 04:42 AM

He has branches yes but mostly only gets up there after we put him back into his cage. We haven't touched him all week so he has remained on the ground only moving a few times.

red ink · 04-18-12, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gee

Lankyrob, he isn't in complete darkness. We have a fluro light in order to keep his cage around 29 degrees. This is the temperature the pet store says he needs to be at. I'm thinking I might turn off the light tonight and see how he goes. Worth a shot!

Does this mean you had light on it 24/7?

gee · 04-18-12, 04:47 AM

yes, it has been on all night and day. Should I be turning it off over night?

Lankyrob · 04-18-12, 04:49 AM

Snakes need a day/night cycle otherwise they get very stressed. Give him this cycle for another 7 days before trying to feed again.

gee · 04-18-12, 04:55 AM

Ok will keep it off overnight and then on during the day. Can I do it the other way around> Have it on during the night and off during the day? We are going into winter and the temps are around 18 degrees celcius over night and will get cooler down to maybe 10-12 degrees.

Lankyrob · 04-18-12, 04:57 AM

YOu can get non light emitting ceramic bulbs that just give off heat, i use them for all my snakes and they stay on 24/7 so give constant temps.

shaunyboy · 04-18-12, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gee

He is in a 60 x 45 cm glass cage. He has a heat pad and fluro light above and branches to climb. Rocks, bark and a hidey hole and water. It's hard not to touch him as I look and watch him not move for days and esp when he hides out and I can't see him not to mention the children that want to hold him, however, I realise it's what we must do. Should I try feeding (without touching) once a week until he takes? Yes we are just in Autumn here and I think breeding is close to winter.

It's good to know that they can still survive after 3 months no food...but hard to get my human mind around it! lol

i've had a slow starting carpet hatchling NOT eat until it was 10 months old

it had no health issues and has never missed a feed since

the main thing is to leave it in peace and quiet,only going near it to change the water roughly every 5 days

imo,29C is a little on the cool side mate

i would up his hot end to 31C TO 32C .

i run my basking spots at 86F TO 88F

if his hot ends too cold he won't be able to digest his prey,so imo won't eat

re light
its important that your snake gets a proper light cycle

i use non light emitting ceramic bulbs,with my carpets getting natural light from the window in the room

let us know how it goes mate

cheers shaun

Norm66 · 04-18-12, 06:22 AM

As Becky said, our jcp didn't eat for a few months when we first got him. Originally he was in an aquarium with a perch and he never ate, even when we tried live. I put him in the rack and he still didn't eat for a while but eventually he did. I really don't think it was anything other than he decided it was time to eat. He's in the same conditions he was in before when he wasn't eating but now he's one of our best eaters.

gee · 04-18-12, 06:26 AM

Wow, he's starting to explore the cage and moving around. Thanks, will keep you posted

gee · 04-18-12, 06:31 AM

Thanks, I'll look into the non light emitting ceramic bulbs tomorrow

It's hard being a mother...to a snake :P

gee · 04-24-12, 12:07 AM

It's almost been another week and we will try him again tomorrow. My partner has been told that he should feed him a live mouse :/ I'm not keen on doing this, for one I don't want to have to feed him live all the time and also it is harder to purchase live mice for feeding in this country I believe. Pet shops won't sell you mice if they know you are feeding them to snakes live.

Any thoughts on this please?

Terranaut · 04-24-12, 01:49 AM

No need for live. Wait him out and just keep following the advice like you are and all will be well soon. My input has already been covered. Cover the viv and keep lots of hide spots for him. Day/night cycle is a must. Feed in the evening. Have it ready to eat and wait until he starts his evening cage lurk. If he isn't exploring in the night he is afraid and needs more cover or less light. Anyway when he moves around in his own present the prey. Be sure when you open his viv you do not bump or make any vibration that could make him nervous. When I had my gopher in an exoterra tank with the click lock she avoided a few meals from the sound it made in the viv. If you see pics of my carpets feeding its always in the evening just before their viv light goes out for the night. Good luck and try not to stress. It will happen. Hell you'll be thinking " oh man this thing is a pig!" in no time

have a look at that pinky and just think he will be eating jumbo rats in just a few years. Or rabbits