Feeding issues? Advice please!

[heypristine]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if I could get some help. I have a three month old Cal King who had no problems eating frozen/thawed when I first got him (July 29). After his second shed ever (August 24), he stopped striking/constricting his food and would refuse the pinkie. We would brain the mouse, dip it in tuna juice, leave it in the cage etc. and he would eventually eat. His enclosure is at 80 degrees F (cold side) and 88 (warm side) consistently, and the humidity levels are correct, but could it be possible that he's going into brumation? I would just like to know why he no longer strikes, and if there's a way for him to be more comfortable accepting food easily again. Thanks!

[EL Ziggy]

Pris- As long as he's eating I wouldn't worry too much. How warm is the prey item when you offer it? Once my prey item is completely thawed I use a blow dryer to heat the prey item to about 100F then dangle it from tongs when offering it to the snake. Most of my snakes will strike their food this way but occasionally I'll have to drop feed one or two of them. My kings have both slowed down on feeding the last few weeks so they may be getting ready to shut it down for winter which they're both prone to do. My pair are 3 and 4 yrs old though. At 3 months I'd think your boy should be eating through the winter. Double check your temps but if they're on point as you say, I'd just drop feed him. My male bull snake will strike chicks hard but I have to leave any rats in his enclosure.

[heypristine]

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

Once my prey item is completely thawed I use a blow dryer to heat the prey item to about 100F then dangle it from tongs when offering it to the snake. Most of my snakes will strike their food this way but occasionally I'll have to drop feed one or two of them.

I never checked the temp of the prey, I usually just put it in warm water--so I'll definitely give the blow-drying trick a shot! Thank you so much for your help. Hopefully this will work (and if not, at least he still eats the pinkie on the ground).