He STILL won't eat

[FlipsideRuffian]

I've had Asriel since December so like two-three months now? Not once has eaten for me. I don't understand, the husbandry is fine, he's done with his shed, he's comfortable, and I've been offering the same food the shop fed him. He's starting to get a bit more interested, he goes towards it and recognizes it as food, but doesn't make any effort to take it. It's comfortably warm and I twitch it around a bit, but still no strikes or grabs. I left in his tank overnight near the UTH to keep it warm, but I didn't check to see if he took it. I'm starting to get really concerned, any tips??

[ckuhn003]

I've had Asriel since December so like two-three months now? Not once has eaten for me. I don't understand, the husbandry is fine, he's done with his shed, he's comfortable, and I've been offering the same food the shop fed him. He's starting to get a bit more interested, he goes towards it and recognizes it as food, but doesn't make any effort to take it. It's comfortably warm and I twitch it around a bit, but still no strikes or grabs. I left in his tank overnight near the UTH to keep it warm, but I didn't check to see if he took it. I'm starting to get really concerned, any tips??

It's very frustrating...I've been there too. Some recommendations: Make sure you are feeding at night time and limit the amount of light when you offer the food. Not sure if you are using a hairdryer but that helps a lot w/ heating the prey. My shy eater has become accustom to the sound of the hair dryer and the smell of the mouse when it's heated up. Good luck

[MD_Pythons]

What's your setup like? Are you handling him? If you are I would leave him alone until he eats for you. Have you tried feeding him at night?

[Booper]

You say your set up is fine... what does that mean? Can we get a picture? temps, hot side and cool side? Humidity? How big is your snake, and what are you feeding? I'm guessing since you left it overnight it's frozen/thawed, are you thawing it correctly and heating it properly?

[Zincubus]

As mentioned above PLUS feed in the evening, dim light . Wait until he's in one of his hides . Warm mouse /rat on tongs and dangle it in front of the hide entrance . Rodent HAS to be warm . Keep warming and offering until it's grabbed ..


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[FlipsideRuffian]

Thank you all for your replies! If you look back on my previous topic on how to perfect my husbandry you'll get the idea of my setup. I do feed him at night, and the side of the room he's in is pretty dark. His tank also has cardboard around, making it darker and cozier. I did have to remove his hide so I had enough room to wiggle it around, tonight I'll leave it be. I'll also try out the hairdryer idea, I'll update you on how it goes.

[MD_Pythons]

Thank you all for your replies! If you look back on my previous topic on how to perfect my husbandry you'll get the idea of my setup. I do feed him at night, and the side of the room he's in is pretty dark. His tank also has cardboard around, making it darker and cozier. I did have to remove his hide so I had enough room to wiggle it around, tonight I'll leave it be. I'll also try out the hairdryer idea, I'll update you on how it goes.

I think removing his hide might be part of the problem, I offer the rodent in front of my snakes hides and they grab it pretty quickly.

[Craiga 01453]

Thank you all for your replies! If you look back on my previous topic on how to perfect my husbandry you'll get the idea of my setup. I do feed him at night, and the side of the room he's in is pretty dark. His tank also has cardboard around, making it darker and cozier. I did have to remove his hide so I had enough room to wiggle it around, tonight I'll leave it be. I'll also try out the hairdryer idea, I'll update you on how it goes.

Moving the hide isn't going to help. Definitely leave him in his hide.

How often are you offering? You may be offering too often which can stress the snake and be counter productive.

[Zincubus]

As the other two guys just mentioned . The problem may have just been solved !
Never move the hide when feeding - on the contrary WAIT until it's UNDER the hide before feeding .

So do everything as suggested

I put pieces of card on the viv floor in the MORNING of the feed and then feed that evening.

I don't even change the water before feeding .. no movements at all - then mine all happily grab from WITHIN their hides . They just feel secure under there . Remember the hairdryer .

I open the viv door , get the rodent in the tongs , 10 second blast with the hairdryer and then dangle in front of the hide entrance INSTANTLY whilst it's still warm . They cool down very quickly .

If it doesn't grab it then repeat the process exactly ... as many times as it takes - maybe 7 or 8 - just be persistent.



Some people maybe lucky and have Royals that are great feeders. - I have three fabulous feeders but MANY are like my pair of Albinos - they need peace and quiet .

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[FlipsideRuffian]

He still won't take it even in the hide. I got a new lamp so the temp's right, so husbandry is fine. He's actually quite...scared of it? He's definitely interested, he flicks his tongue and approaches it, but then turns away. Anytime it cools I heat it back up, but even then he's less interested than before.