Questions about rehoming / selling a problem feeder

[artgecko]

Hello folks,
I hate to post this, but I've decided that rehoming my male hognose is a good idea. He has had feeding issues with me since around August and has not eaten regularly since then (I believe he's only eaten 4-5 times since August). I have tried every trick I have found online from scenting to changing temps to putting him in a smaller enclosure or cup for feeding overnight, etc. to no avail. He is a small snake, only 18 grams at his last weighing and even less now (I need to weigh him) so I am concerned that waiting too long may be in his worst interest. One of my main issues is that I cannot feed live because he is very small and would require peach fuzzy mice, which no store in my area carries and I am unable to raise on my own due to living in an apartment. For this reason, I think he would do better in a home with a more experienced keeper or one that feeds live already.

This is not a sales ad (I want to place him locally), but I'd like advice because I have never rehomed / sold a snake before and am unsure on a few points.

If you have any advice on the points below, or in general, please feel free to share.

1. I will be disclosing his breeder, supposed genetics (he was sold to me as a het), feeding issues, and current weight in the ad. Is there any other information that you would suggest I also give?

2. I assume that due to him being a "problem feeder" that asking for less than his original value would be called for. I originally paid $150 for him (he is a normal with good color and het hypo). Should I ask for around $50 - $45 for him? Him going to a good home is more important to me than the $$, but I don't know if asking for too little will invite a not-so-good adoptive home.

3. I plan on posting on my local reptile sales group on FB and avoid craigslist altogether if possible. Is this wise or should I go to CL also? I did not plan on doing fauna because I want to place him locally, but if placing a fauna ad would also be useful, I will do so.

4. I do not plan on selling his tank / setup with him, will this "hurt" my chances of finding him a new home / owner?

Thank you for your time and assistance!
Artgecko

[reptileexperts]

Any owner truly interested would probably already have housing equipment ready to go. If they don't they probably aren't the owner you are looking to pass him on to. I'm sorry to hear about the troubles you are having with your little guy. These males can be quite a hassle about feeding during the winter months. In March is when they usually start taking food again. My breeder males just came back on food this week and have been off food since about October. Just keeping them cooler than normal and slowly increasing temperatures works well for these guys to get them back on food.

You usually do not need to result in going with live food to be honest most hog nose take frozen thawed right out of the egg with no issues. Westerns are truly the easiest snakes I've ever worked with getting them started on food. Again just males during this time of year tend to stop eating to brumate.

When you post the add give a full disclosure. Let them know he's off food and that you've attempted this and that and whatever you need to address. If he's 100% het hypo and you have the paperwork to back it up. I'd suggest keeping the process moderate, the higher price should attract the right home. The lower price could attract the quick to purchase home that may give him a far worse chance than you want to be honest. If you paid 150 ask 140 and give the disclosure. Most people who keep hogs will understand that in march this guy should pick back up on feeding. ..good luck

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[artgecko]

Thanks for the advice.
I would think it was normal male / winter season behavior except that he went off food in August.. He was eating great before then and suddenly stopped (and this is well before we get cooler temps here). My reasoning behind the live feeding is that he exhibits a fear response to feeding tongs and tweezers, but is also uninterested in non-moving f/t prey.

I will take your advice about the ad, but will also weigh him and possibly try waiting until March to see if he does start eating again on the chance that it is normal winter behavior.

One further question.. The breeder I purchased him from (at a show) labeled him as a het hypo and told me that he was one, but did not give me any papers (parents, genetics, etc.).. All I have is the original deli cup with "male het hypo" on it. Given that, should I list him as a "possible" het hypo and how would that effect how much I list him for?

Thank you again for your time and help.

[GoingPostal]

With no paperwork and only the word of a possible het I would just consider him a normal. You could also try contacting a herp rescue or group if any are near you, maybe they would know a breeder or experienced home they could recommend rehoming it to. If you are placing an ad I guess it's hard to say, I wouldn't want to risk full price on a snake that may not eat if I were looking to buy but you do run the risk of impulse buyers if you go too cheap. Ask questions, it's not too hard to figure out if someone is fairly knowledgeable on snakes. As for selling the snake minus cage, if it's just your basic aquarium setup anyone in herps should be able to set one up fairly easily, most reptiles I see for sale are minus setup. Or include a setup I wouldn't want.