Burm refusing to eat..

[Squirtle]

This is the first time EVER my burm has refused to eat.. Nothing in husbandry has changed (same size enclosure, water changes every two days, temperature are at mid 80's since it's winter). His last meal was about three weeks ago, and I've fed him every two weeks up until now. Anyone know what's wrong? He just turned two years old December 20th.. maybe he wants to breed? Should I be worried? He's almost 9 feet long and 40 pounds.

[dinosaurdammit]

have you brained a rat yet? With this being his first off feed i wouldnt worry too much. 2 seems kinda young to breed maybe im wrong though

[Squirtle]

Originally Posted by dinosaurdammit

have you brained a rat yet? With this being his first off feed i wouldnt worry too much. 2 seems kinda young to breed maybe im wrong though

Rats are too small for him. He's been eating nothing but chickens for almost a year now. When should I try to feed him again?

[dinosaurdammit]

Originally Posted by Squirtle

Rats are too small for him. He's been eating nothing but chickens for almost a year now. When should I try to feed him again?

if my boa goes off i give him a week and a few days, lets him get hungry and not so stressed by constant offering of food. Have you left it in over night? Sometimes they take it but when you arnt around

[Squirtle]

Originally Posted by dinosaurdammit

if my boa goes off i give him a week and a few days, lets him get hungry and not so stressed by constant offering of food. Have you left it in over night? Sometimes they take it but when you arnt around

No, I took it out after about an hour of him just shying away from it. The chicken also attempted to peck him in the face, so I had to take it out.

[dinosaurdammit]

Originally Posted by Squirtle

No, I took it out after about an hour of him just shying away from it. The chicken also attempted to peck him in the face, so I had to take it out.

why do you feed live? he may have been attacked by his food and thats why he is avoiding eating, i use prekill only.

[Corey209]

Originally Posted by dinosaurdammit

why do you feed live? he may have been attacked by his food and thats why he is avoiding eating, i use prekill only.

I used your method of cranial destruction and blood came pouring out like a fountain.. I'll stick to live personally.

[dinosaurdammit]

Originally Posted by Corey209

I used your method of cranial destruction and blood came pouring out like a fountain.. I'll stick to live personally.

i dont do cranial destruction....I do cervical dislocation, breaking a neck doesnt make you bleed...

[Squirtle]

Originally Posted by dinosaurdammit

why do you feed live? he may have been attacked by his food and thats why he is avoiding eating, i use prekill only.

I feed live because it gives my snakes exercise, and with that, I also let him roam around my room an hour each day that he isn't digesting his meal; that way I don't feel bad keeping him in a 5x3 cage for a couple of more years.

[Corey209]

Originally Posted by dinosaurdammit

i dont do cranial destruction....I do cervical dislocation, breaking a neck doesnt make you bleed...

You've shown a video on cranial destruction.

[SnakeyJay]

Originally Posted by Corey209

I used your method of cranial destruction and blood came pouring out like a fountain.. I'll stick to live personally.

Cranial destruction is the preferred way to euthanise snakes... Cervical dislocation is for the prey.. Not so messy that way mate, and less stress on the prey.

[Corey209]

Originally Posted by Snakey-Jay

Cranial destruction is the preferred way to euthanise snakes... Cervical dislocation is for the prey.. Not so messy that way mate, and less stress on the prey.

I was going to use cervical dislocation but the paint scraper I had was a bit flimsy for the large rat.

[shaunyboy]

its only missed one feed so imo theres no need to worry

re temps
i don't know the hot end temps for a burm,but if its too cold a snake is unable to digest prey,so it wopn't eat

re breeding season
theres also breeding season to take into account,some snakes won't eat when they're looking for a mate

cheers shaun

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by Squirtle

I feed live because it gives my snakes exercise, and with that, I also let him roam around my room an hour each day that he isn't digesting his meal; that way I don't feel bad keeping him in a 5x3 cage for a couple of more years.

i have NO moral issues with live feeding

i do have safety issues though,a bite from prey can stress snakes out and stop them feeding

i honestly don't see a snake getting much excercise from eating live

cheers shaun

[dinosaurdammit]

Originally Posted by Corey209

You've shown a video on cranial destruction.

that wasnt cranial destruction. that was priest-ing. Smashing a head in is different than a bop on the head