Feeding Question

awwalz01 · 05-13-18, 04:19 PM

Hey all,

My ~1.5-2 year old Honduran milk hasn't eaten in around 3-4 months. It didn't really worry me because he isn't a baby obviously so I just kinda figured he would start back up eventually. I have checked temps/humidity/conditions and everything is as it should be. He has lost 15g which is why I am starting to worry.

Anyone have experience on snakes going off feed? Should I start to worry now that he is losing weight? Should I attempt to assist feed? I have done it before for my carpet when he was a baby so I am not worried about doing it, I just don't know if I should yet or not.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

craigafrechette · 05-13-18, 05:04 PM

What is the weight of the snake? It's tough to determine if 15 grams is cause for concern without knowing the weight of the animal.

As for assist feeding...no. That should only be done as an absolute last resort, and typically with hatchlings who have never eaten.

awwalz01 · 05-13-18, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

What is the weight of the snake? It's tough to determine if 15 grams is cause for concern without knowing the weight of the animal.

As for assist feeding...no. That should only be done as an absolute last resort, and typically with hatchlings who have never eaten.

He was 516 and is now 502g. I agree that I dont want to assist feed. Just dont know what else to do. He is acting normal, nothing out of the ordinary.

Jim Smith · 05-13-18, 09:33 PM

Have you been trying fresh killed jumbo mice?

craigafrechette · 05-14-18, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awwalz01

He was 516 and is now 502g. I agree that I dont want to assist feed. Just dont know what else to do. He is acting normal, nothing out of the ordinary.

That's not an alarming amount of weight loss. I believe it's just a food strike and will hopefully be over soon.

What prey items have you tried?
F/T? Fresh killed? Live?
Have you tried smaller prey?

awwalz01 · 05-14-18, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Have you been trying fresh killed jumbo mice?

I have tried fresh killed jumbo mice, yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

That's not an alarming amount of weight loss. I believe it's just a food strike and will hopefully be over soon.

What prey items have you tried?
F/T? Fresh killed? Live?
Have you tried smaller prey?

He has been on F/T his whole life, since he stopped eating I have tried fresh killed and F/T. Could try live but he seems to be scared of the dead mice lol. I usually feed jumbo, but have tried regular adult mice as well

craigafrechette · 05-15-18, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awwalz01

He has been on F/T his whole life, since he stopped eating I have tried fresh killed and F/T. Could try live but he seems to be scared of the dead mice lol. I usually feed jumbo, but have tried regular adult mice as well

Hmmm, sounds like a food strike to me.
3 out of my 4 snakes are on food strikes right now. The only one eating is my King. It's frustrating, but comes with the hobby. Today is feeding day, so we'll see...

Good luck, hope your boy snaps out of it soon.

**EL Ziggy** · 05-15-18, 08:56 AM

I agree with Craig. It sounds like your boy is growing up and has other things on his mind besides food

. If your temps and humidity are good I wouldn't worry. He should snap out of it soon. One of my male carpet pythons just started eating after a 3 month fast. My male bull snake hasn't eaten since December. I'm sure he'll come around soon too. I usually just wait them out but sometimes a live feeder will help jump start their appetites after a winter or breeding season fast.

awwalz01 · 05-15-18, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Hmmm, sounds like a food strike to me.
3 out of my 4 snakes are on food strikes right now. The only one eating is my King. It's frustrating, but comes with the hobby. Today is feeding day, so we'll see...

Good luck, hope your boy snaps out of it soon.

Yea that is what I am hoping for!! Thanks for your advice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

I agree with Craig. It sounds like your boy is growing up and has other things on his mind besides food

. If your temps and humidity are good I wouldn't worry. He should snap out of it soon. One of my male carpet pythons just started eating after a 3 month fast. My male bull snake hasn't eaten since December. I'm sure he'll come around soon too. I usually just wait them out but sometimes a live feeder will help jump start their appetites after a winter or breeding season fast.

Haha he may have other things on his mind.... maybe an excuse to get another snake to fulfill he needs lol!