Expected first feed refusal

[adio369]

Hey guys quick question. About 3 hours ago I tried to feed him a fuzzy thawed. I heated it up by using hot water in a ziploc back for about 20-30 mins then let the mouse warm up with my heat lamp (no hair dryer lol!). Anyways I tried the wiggle in his face to act as if it was alive. He was defiantly interested, licked it like crazy and was very aware of what was going on. After a while I decided i'd leave the mouse there and see what happens. Where I bought him from he was on a F/T diet so I figured I will stick with that. How long should i leave it there before I throw it out? or refreeze maybe?

[cschneider]

If you leave it in over night, definitely throw it out in the morning. The only time I ever re-freeze is when I know right away my snakes aren't at all interested in eating, then I'll throw it back in the freezer, but I never re-freeze more than once. I usually only re-freeze large rats too because they are much more expensive than fuzzies. If you can afford to throw them out, that's probably a better option. How much does your bp weigh? What's your setup like? How many days have you given him to settle in? There may be something else going on if he isn't eating.

[Egapal]

.......fuzzy.........mouse.........Where I bought him from he was on a F/T diet

Ok so thats all I really heard. Assuming this is a BP we are talking about I would go for a weanling mouse if the BP is still a baby or right to an adult mouse most likely. Its probably an even better idea to just switch to rat fuzzies or pups.

As for your question. I would only leave it in for a few hours but some people leave them in overnight.

[steveboos]

Let us know about your setup and the temperatures and humidity in the tank, then we can go from there. Usually leaving it in overnight helps, but sometimes, if they aren't interested, they aren't going to eat.

[adio369]

No idea his weight, I got him a week ago. Temps are good in the tank, humidity is alright, could be better. He is in a 20 gallon aquarium with eco earth bedding. two hides on each side ect. Like i said i could tell you his weight, only that he is 20 or so inches long. I will get a scale in a few days to give the actual gram.

[Zayra]

Well, first off. Be careful what you take out of this forum. If your snake isnt eating, it is recommended by most to give him another week and try to focus on the husbandry, while reducing any stress for that time period.

Just as a tip, snakes are nocturnal animals, and I have heard from many that they prefer to eat in the dark. They can also be picky or shy eaters, where they wont eat certain colored mice, or they wont eat infront of people.

After it has been a little while, then you should contact the breeder, and see what he suggests. Assist or force feeding should always be a LAST option, so dont take that from anyone on here.

I did see someone ask before, but how has he been kept for the week that you had him? Are you handling him, or just leaving him be.

Personally, I am growing a liking to the idea of starting out live, then moving over to f/t in the future. But I dont have very much experience, Its just that my boyfriend, and I are having alot of problems with a stubborn feeder, and in his current situation isnt looking too good. Just be careful, and talk to someone you are sure of as a professional, before doing anything that is out of the ordinary.

[adio369]

Well, first off. Be careful what you take out of this forum. If your snake isnt eating, it is recommended by most to give him another week and try to focus on the husbandry, while reducing any stress for that time period.

Just as a tip, snakes are nocturnal animals, and I have heard from many that they prefer to eat in the dark. They can also be picky or shy eaters, where they wont eat certain colored mice, or they wont eat infront of people.

After it has been a little while, then you should contact the breeder, and see what he suggests. Assist or force feeding should always be a LAST option, so dont take that from anyone on here.

I did see someone ask before, but how has he been kept for the week that you had him? Are you handling him, or just leaving him be.

Personally, I am growing a liking to the idea of starting out live, then moving over to f/t in the future. But I dont have very much experience, Its just that my boyfriend, and I are having alot of problems with a stubborn feeder, and in his current situation isnt looking too good. Just be careful, and talk to someone you are sure of as a professional, before doing anything that is out of the ordinary.

I haven't been handling him no, only opening his cage for spot cleanings and water changes/temp monitoring. I am calling the breeder today, he told me yesterday if he doesn't eat again on tuesday (i tried yesterday) for me to bring him in and they will do a quarantine feeding for him.