Refusal to eat

[Quacking-Terror]

I have had Gene a little under two weeks. I got him on a Saturday and tried to feed him that following Thursday but he refused. I think it was because he was getting ready to shed. However, he was moving around his tank like he was hungry, so we tried feeding him tonight. As of this post, he has not eaten. He was raised on live, but we're trying to get him on f/t. We had some unforeseen financial issues this month, so I'm short on funds or I would go to the pet store and get a live mouse for him. However, that's not an option right now. We thawed the mouse then warmed it up with a hair dryer, did the 'zombie dance', now we're waiting for him to eat. Any suggestions?

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Tricks to convert to FT.
Thaw and warm in hot water then offer it wet to the snake.
Be sure the snake has tight fitting hide boxes.
Get some dirty gerbil or other rodent bedding from the pet store. Put some on paper towel on top of the snakes tank. Put thawed rodent in the bedding too so it gets the scent on it.
Use feeding tongs so the snake does not "see" the heat of your hand making the strange dead rodent move. Hold it by the scruff of the neck w tongs and make it's movements look as real as walking around as possible.
Buy a smaller live rat than what it normally eats then offer the FT one after it eats the live one.
Feed small live prey every 4-5 days for 2 weeks, then stop feeding for 2 weeks, then offer a FT. This one helps stimulate the appetite and the snake will be hungry when you offer the FT.

[johnsnhu]

I wouldn't worry too much about him not eating for a few weeks. He needs to de-stress and get used to his home. Give him four or five more days, and don't take him out of his cage. Then grab a live if you can.

Just my 2 cents...