hondo eating question

hondo-dan · 04-12-15, 10:33 PM

So my hondo Bo has been off good now for about a month and a half. He doesn't appear to be losing weight or having any other real issues. I haven't seen him coming out at night for awhile now either but that's it. I've tried live, freshly killed, FT and braining but he's just not at all interested. He just slithers away. Any suggestions? Nothing has really changed enclosure wise.

Primal Rage · 04-13-15, 03:03 AM

What are the temps in his set up?(hot side and cool side)
What is the RH?
How long has it been since his last meal?
Do you feed him in his enclosure?
I would keep trying to feed him every 5 days or so. Have you tried reverting back to pinky mice (live or f/t)? Sometimes moody snakes will take several, smaller food items when coming off a hunger strike. If this goes on for another month please take him to a vets office and get a fecal done. Hopefully Bo bounces back quick!

hondo-dan · 04-13-15, 07:35 AM

Its usually about 78 on the warm side and 68 on the cool side which is where he's usually hiding. RH I'm not sure. I usually spray the tank a bit every few days. I do feed him in his enclosure but I haven't tried going back to pinkies. Maybe I'll try that this evening. Hopefully it is just a hunger strike not something more serious.

D Grade · 04-13-15, 01:48 PM

Try upping the temp on the hotside to 85-88F.

Primal Rage · 04-13-15, 02:53 PM

Hatchlings and yearlings do a little better with a warm side in the low to mid 80's(84 at the highest). My adults seem to enjoy the high side temps in the low 80's. I have found that feeding in the tank helps reduce the stress of handling and will help preserve the snakes appetite. Good luck with the pinks!

Albert Clark · 04-13-15, 03:02 PM

Yeah, I agree with D Grade. At least up the temp to 83-85F. That will serve two purposes, rewarming and immunity boosting. 68 degrees is too cool. Up that to low 70's. I think it's your temps that are the problem. Maybe he thinks it's nearing hibernation time? Imo, he can't properly digest his meals at those temps.

hondo-dan · 04-14-15, 05:40 PM

So I bumped the temp up bit and tried him back on pinkies. Success! He gobbled them up just fine. I had to place them in front of him and walk away but he did eat them. Thanks for the help.

Primal Rage · 04-15-15, 02:44 AM

Well done!