New Carpet Python owner needs advice

gee · 04-12-12, 04:28 PM

Hi, We have a 2 month old carpet python. We have had him for 3 weeks and prior to us having him he had been fed 5 times. However at this stage he won't eat. I have got his cage at 29 degrees now as instructed by pet store. I have tried feeding him once a week, split the head and also tried a little egg yolk. We handled him regularly in the first week and then told to leave him for a whole week which we did. He is growing but looking bony now. Any advice on handling and getting him to eat is appreciated.

Kudos

red ink · 04-12-12, 07:34 PM

No handling at all for two weeks with minimal contact.... Then try gain, night time feed.

What are you keeping it in?

**millertime89** · 04-12-12, 07:39 PM

Don't fret yourself. Norm had a baby carpet not eat for something like 2 months when he first got him. He's likely just stressed. Where in the house is he at? I wouldn't handle him until he's eaten for you.

Becky Goings · 04-12-12, 08:35 PM

It was almost 3 months before the little jerk would eat for us. Now he's a chow hound, and being moved up a food size next feed. He's calming down nicely, and getting better looking every shed. And it could be a seasonal thing, because our other picky eaters all struck and ate last week and this week. I think you must be going into breeding season, and we're coming out of it.

gee · 04-12-12, 08:53 PM

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

**millertime89** · 04-12-12, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky Goings

It was almost 3 months before the little jerk would eat for us. Now he's a chow hound, and being moved up a food size next feed. He's calming down nicely, and getting better looking every shed. And it could be a seasonal thing, because our other picky eaters all struck and ate last week and this week. I think you must be going into breeding season, and we're coming out of it.

Snakes of this age shouldn't be in breed mode. BPs are just notoriously picky and every snake has its own personality, and is on its own feeding schedule.

youngster · 04-12-12, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

Snakes of this age shouldn't be in breed mode. BPs are just notoriously picky and every snake has its own personality, and is on its own feeding schedule.

Carpet pythons

**millertime89** · 04-12-12, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngster

Carpet pythons

directed at Becky.
:P

red ink · 04-12-12, 11:40 PM

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

Cover the glass walls so it's more secure for it and it does'nt feel as exposed. If you got it from a breeder most likely it would have spent it's entire life in a click-clack (opaque walls) until it got to you.

This will help reduce it's stress levels from the relocation.... Yes don't touch him for a week after you have covered the walls (i know it's hard but it's actually for it's own good). After a week you can then try and offer it food but it's best to do it just after dusk when they are just naturally starting to stir to see if it takes it. If it doesn't then try again the week after, stilll no interaction in between. Keep it like this until you get it started feeding again and after a few feeds you can start interacting with it again (slowly build that up or it may stop feeding again).

gee · 04-13-12, 12:32 AM

Thanks Red Ink, I'll give that a try

Lankyrob · 04-13-12, 07:46 AM

When you try the nighttime feed if the snake wont take it then leave the prey on a saucer in the tank overnight, having complete darkness and no disturbances for a few hours may give it the opportunity to eat in peace

MoreliAddict · 04-13-12, 07:52 AM

My carpet python went off feed for about 2 months when I brought him home. I'm thinking the breeder kept him in a rack which provides them with alot of security, and when I brought him home and put him in his 2'X2'X2' it stressed him and he needed time to adjust.

The breeder said he was always a perfect eater, and now that he's eating for me he hasn't missed a meal, not even during sheds.

It could just take time, double check your temps, make sure there's alot of cover in the enclosure, and be patient.

Also, are you feeding f/t (frozen-thawed)? If so, drop the rat directly in HOT water, and offer it on tongs nice and HOT, right out of the water.

gee · 04-13-12, 03:28 PM

Yes thawed fuzzies. I can't attempt to try him again til next Thursday but will try the hot water thing. As well as being covered up for the week.

@ Lankyrob, I have left the feed over night but not on a saucer. At one point after I was wriggling it around I left it by him and when I came back he had his head resting on it! lol

Lankyrob · 04-13-12, 04:09 PM

The saucer just stops any substrate being ingested along with the prey

Becky Goings · 04-13-12, 06:26 PM

Kyle, I know they shouldn't, but timing wise, it fits. They all started eating again the same feed. It was weird. And, to the OP, as long as it's not losing a visible amount of weight, don't worry too much.