snake not eating; should I be concerned?

[lady_bug87]

if the snake hasn't eaten have you tried to move them into a smaller container? I know a large amount of space seems like freedom but the need for space is a human characteristic that snakes don't particularly share especially since you may not know what their habitat was like before it was shipped not to mention the fact that it spent a bunch of time in a small dark space, change is intimidating

[airman_miller]

Originally Posted by infernalis

I don't honestly think annual feedings are remotely suggested, There was a case documented of a python that exceeded a year without eating.. Probably where the confusion comes from.

A colubrid like a king snake with it's fast metabolism would perish in a few months time, a baby colubrid would drop after about 6 - 8 weeks without food.

A tiny colubrid with ultra fast metabolism (Like a Dekayi or ring neck) would be skin and bones in just a couple weeks.

Personally, I would keep a baby king in a 10 gallon for it's first year to 18 months.

When I receive my shipments of baby Thamnophis every year, I try to feed every other day...

and to dispel one myth, I have personally had babies eat half an hour after the fed ex driver left.

so you are saying i should attempt to feed it sooner? i saw the snake yesterday and it looked healthy, pretty much like the day i got it(very round, no bones sticking out.) i had to rut around a little bit to put the thermostat under the bedding, i bet that spooked him i am just glad it isnt nippy at me for bothering it lol.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by airman_miller

so you are saying i should attempt to feed it sooner? i saw the snake yesterday and it looked healthy, pretty much like the day i got it(very round, no bones sticking out.) i had to rut around a little bit to put the thermostat under the bedding, i bet that spooked him i am just glad it isnt nippy at me for bothering it lol.

Don't pester the snake, but every evening for a little bit won't upset things too much.

What I find effective is to use a small poly box and place the snake in confined quarters with a fresh pinkie.

If the snake is nervous, place the closed poly box into the snakes enclosure and leave it...

This one should illustrate the size quite well, the box is 12 inches long and about 6 inches wide, roughly a small shoe box.

[airman_miller]

questions:
*when i feed it again, i need to put it in a little container overnight, or a few hours?

*when you say "fresh" do you mean freshly killed or freshly thawed? i have 0 live pinkies nor any clue on how to get them.

*i don't normally "pester" it, only put the pinkie in the cage, move it (mouse) around a little bit, stuff like that. the snake looks like it starts to get interested, then just leaves it.

*also for clarification, how can you tell the difference between a nervous snake and a calm one?

*also, the snake to pinkie size ratio in your pic is different than mine. i bought the smallest pinkies they had, and they are about the same size around as it is, or slightly larger.

i see so much variance in opinion about how to feed this thing, it is almost becoming not worth the hassle. maybe i will just give up and give it back to the breeder.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by airman_miller

questions:
*when i feed it again, i need to put it in a little container overnight, or a few hours?

*when you say "fresh" do you mean freshly killed or freshly thawed? i have 0 live pinkies nor any clue on how to get them.

*i don't normally "pester" it, only put the pinkie in the cage, move it (mouse) around a little bit, stuff like that. the snake looks like it starts to get interested, then just leaves it.

*also for clarification, how can you tell the difference between a nervous snake and a calm one?

*also, the snake to pinkie size ratio in your pic is different than mine. i bought the smallest pinkies they had, and they are about the same size around as it is, or slightly larger.

i see so much variance in opinion about how to feed this thing, it is almost becoming not worth the hassle. maybe i will just give up and give it back to the breeder.

1. Overnight seems to work with stubborn cases

2. fresh thawed

3. Sorry if you mistook me, Never meant to imply you pester your snake, just a word... and one never knows, have met folks with the best intent who handled their snakes 5 times a day.

4. Symptoms of a stressed snake - Always stays hidden, like ridiculous long periods of time, You should see some exploring, drinking, etc....

Pacing all day - if the snake is scooting back and forth, behaving like there is a monster in the cage with it...

4B - A calm snake - will behave like it's comfortable... you will see basking, drinking, exploring and hiding all mixed together in the same day.

Sometimes simple things we don't really think about can stress out a snake, cages near places where there is activity.. people walking by, cats, dogs, etc.. can cause snakes to feel uneasy.

Don't give up so soon, plenty of time to sort this out.... once a snake starts eating it's all downhill from there.

I specialize in non feeding snakes, every year breeders send me snakes that refuse to eat.. so please feel free to ask anything you need.

Opinions and technique vary, just follow along with an open mind approach, and the best answers will present themselves.

[airman_miller]

I apologize for that last post, I have just been getting really upset about the whole thing. I just don't want to see the thing die, and it is so frustrating to know it was eating regularly before I got it. I decided to try the container feeding thing last night. I found a mouse that apparently broke in half, thawed it out, and put it in the small container. didn't want it.

I wasn't nearly as agitated as I presented myself with the pester thing, I more wanted to know if the little I was doing was enough to qualify as pestering lol.

I guess point 4 would be the most concern to me. the snake just sits out in the open, all day. technically it is semi-hidden(between 2 things), but it is easily seen. In the smaller enclosure, I haven't really seen it move around the tank much (well, to be fair, I don't go in there enough to know, it could move.) In the large tank on occasion I would see it wander over to go get some water, or just some random spot to hide. We have a cat, and it was the biggest concern for me. luckily the room change removed that issue.
I think the biggest problems with varying techniques is I can't afford them lol.

topic change: Where would one look for live pinkies? I wouldn't think large pet chains would have them(petsmart, etc) but there are no specialized reptile sellers/stores around me.

[lady_bug87]

hang in there, have you tried feeding at different times? I dont know anything about that particular species but my GTP will only eat at night or when the room is semi dark

[airman_miller]

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

hang in there, have you tried feeding at different times? I dont know anything about that particular species but my GTP will only eat at night or when the room is semi dark

i mostly try as late in the evening as i can, but I have attempted a feeding in the day; it normally doesn't wander much at all during the daytime, only around 8-10 pm.

[Gungirl]

One thing that tends to work with picky eaters is to cut slits into the prey Item then heat really hot. Anything to help get the scent out is worth a shot. When my Bp goes off feed for a while I offer him a headless rat and he goes right back into feeding.

[marvelfreak]

Originally Posted by airman_miller

topic change: Where would one look for live pinkies? I wouldn't think large pet chains would have them(petsmart, etc) but there are no specialized reptile sellers/stores around me.

You could always try something like craigslist and try to find a breeder near you. An don't worry so much once your snake gets hungery enough it will eat.

[airman_miller]

Originally Posted by Gungirl

One thing that tends to work with picky eaters is to cut slits into the prey Item then heat really hot. Anything to help get the scent out is worth a shot. When my Bp goes off feed for a while I offer him a headless rat and he goes right back into feeding.

the last feeding attempt was with a mouse that had broken in half. the one before that was a pinkie that had been brained and cut open along its skull. how hot would you say is good? does upper 90's sound good? i wouldn't want to get it too hot.

[Gungirl]

My Bp won't eat unless its 98 or higher.. he has shot down a rat that was at 97 checked with a temp gun, I ran it under hot water again and used my temp gun to check it and it was at 99 and he ate it right away.

[airman_miller]

Originally Posted by Gungirl

My Bp won't eat unless its 98 or higher.. he has shot down a rat that was at 97 checked with a temp gun, I ran it under hot water again and used my temp gun to check it and it was at 99 and he ate it right away.

so would 105 be too hot? next feed I will try 100, it probably cools down a degree or 2 from where I heat it to the cage.

got the rest of my supplies the other day. this temp gun i got is awesome, and already paid for itself, it is just too useful!

I do have a question about hygrometers though. what do you guys think of this one in terms of accuracy?

Amazon.com: Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer with Probe: Pet Supplies

it is an exo terra, and has high marks. one concern, however, is how much off it is compared to my analog hygrometer. my analog says 40-50%, and this thing says 25%!!!!I immediately sprayed the tank, but it seemed like it would take alot of water to get up to 45%. I didn't want to soak the substrate, as I read that can cause skin issues. the only other devices humidity wise i have is a de-humidifier, which is set to 65%, and a indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer combo, which i know the sensor for the outdoor thermometer is off by 2 degrees, so I do not know if i trust its indoor reading of 40%. i tested the de-humidifier by turning it down until it kicked on, and it turned on when I lowered it from 40 to 35(I turned it back to 65 when I was done testing.) I know 25 is WAY too low for a snake, so I need to know which I should trust, as to follow one is to completely ignore the others.

[marvelfreak]

I use these. Walmart.com: Acurite Digital Humidity and Temperature Monitor: Patio Decor
You can get them at Wal-Mart for around $10.00. I have one in each cage. Tells temp and humidity they also have them with probes. The one you link looks pretty good.

[lady_bug87]

has it eaten yet?