Hog Island won't eat

[SuddenEclipse]

I am having trouble with my new Hog Island Boa. He is about 5 months old I think. He last ate on January 28th, an adult f/t mouse. He has not eaten since. He completed a nice shed on February 13th.

Warm part under the hide is 88 degrees. Tank is on the coolest part in the low 70s. He has lots of fresh water.

He acts very healthy and strong. He climbs all the time. Sometimes he's in his hide, sometimes he's not - he is active. He likes to go in his hide, sit under the drift wood next to the water, and climb up in the highest ledge. He can get there from the ground so he is strong and does not act sick at all.

I've only had him since mid January so he's eaten f/t for me twice (once a fuzzy then once the full grown.) He has also pooped twice so I know he's digesting fine. Never regurgitated. I think he was probably on live before I got him but since he at f/t twice for me now I figured it wasn't an issue. If he would eat for me I'd know he was completely healthy. I hate to cave in and give him live if he's just being stubborn. Luckily I have a garbage disposal sand boa that eats anything and everything so if my hog won't eat I just give it to her so I'm not thawing and freezing things.

Please give me any advice! I hope he's okay!

[aldebono]

My Hog is a garbage disposal. But what I would try is letting it thaw near where he is so he can smell it and get into hunt mode. As always, make sure the mouse is warm enough. Try feeding at night when it is most active.

We don't feed our Hog once a week like the balls. When she was small she was on a 10ish day schedule and now she is on a 2 to 3 week schedule now that she is an adult. Don't worry too much.

Maybe get some tongs and make it dance?

[SuddenEclipse]

My Hog is a garbage disposal. But what I would try is letting it thaw near where he is so he can smell it and get into hunt mode. As always, make sure the mouse is warm enough. Try feeding at night when it is most active.

We don't feed our Hog once a week like the balls. When she was small she was on a 10ish day schedule and now she is on a 2 to 3 week schedule now that she is an adult. Don't worry too much.

Maybe get some tongs and make it dance?

I have made it dance dance dance! Doesn't matter. Before i could use tongs and just dangle it and he'd hone in and snatch it fast as lightning! Now he just "walks" away from it. If I just leave him alone he starts to climb out of his box. I have made the mouse do all sorts of "tricks" but he is not impressed LOL

Wow so a 2-3 week schedule?! Wow! ok Maybe I won't worry lol

[TheWinWizard]

I feed my adult Hogs every 3 to 4 weeks. Depends on their actions. They're not used to a large amount of food.

[aldebono]

Yes that is 2-3 weeks for our adult.

Somewhere we read not to overfeed them and that they are indeed not used to a lot of food and they get fat or store fat easily and possibly end up with fatty liver disease and shortens life span.

Don't know where we read it, but it's seemed to be ok for us so far.

Don't worry too much, we debate on when the last time ours ate. Usually it is decided when we end up with a large rat that no one wants.

[TheWinWizard]

Keeping records is much easier and more accurate then debating.

[KevinK]

Every snake I've owned has gone off of feed during the winter sometime. No big deal, he's no going to starve. Also, temps in the low 70's are WAY too cold for any boa. Keep the warm side in the low 90's and the cold side in the low 80's

[WifeOfSlasher]

"Box"? Are you feeding in a separate area?

[SuddenEclipse]

"Box"? Are you feeding in a separate area?

Yes. since I feed thawed out mice, I put it in warm water for a while. I feed him in a box so that the aspen bedding doesn't stick to the wet mouse. He's eaten for me twice that way before.

[ballbuster]

Try thawing the mouse in a zip lock bag so it doesn't get wet, and try feeding him in the enclosure. Just an idea.