I need your help! Snake still won't eat . .

[Dananyc]

Ok, my "new" snake (who I adopted at 16 years old) still won't eat (it's been about 4 months since I got her). I've offered various sized f/t rats (once a week) with no luck. Tried tongs, tried dragging, tried dangling, tried dropping them in.

I contacted the previous owner, he won't return my emails, I don't think he cares much about the snake's welfare . My other ball python eats great, but Kona just won't eat.

She was very thick-bodied when I got her, and is still looking ok, but I'm getting worried.

I will try anything! I need help from all of you snake owners

Oh, and she always "looks" hungry---wiggling around the cage, sniffing at the top, etc---but she'll sniff at the rat for a minute or two and then slither away . . .

[mr~python]

live rats.

[Shaun J]

Ok, my "new" snake (who I adopted at 16 years old) still won't eat (it's been about 4 months since I got her). I've offered various sized f/t rats (once a week) with no luck. Tried tongs, tried dragging, tried dangling, tried dropping them in.

I contacted the previous owner, he won't return my emails, I don't think he cares much about the snake's welfare . My other ball python eats great, but Kona just won't eat.

She was very thick-bodied when I got her, and is still looking ok, but I'm getting worried.

I will try anything! I need help from all of you snake owners

Oh, and she always "looks" hungry---wiggling around the cage, sniffing at the top, etc---but she'll sniff at the rat for a minute or two and then slither away . . .

What are the temps and humidity and how are you measuring it?

[Byte]

If your feeding the snake it its terrarium, Try feeding it in a cardboard box. It might just be a shy eater so closed spaces might comfort it a little more.

Are the temps. and humidity right? That could also be a problem.

But if that is all right then try feeding the snake in a separate box.

[Spaniard]

Give it a good blast with a hair-dryer for a few minutes...could help in your F/T endeavours, and if not maybe try mice.

[Aric]

Give it a good blast with a hair-dryer

I tried that once......................I guess I did it a little too long

[rabernet]

Maybe he ate live before?

Here's what I would do if it were mine. You say it's 16 years old? I'd get it set up in a nice Sterilite tub, 1986 model with a UTH, and small kitty litter pan as a hide and a water bowl.

Then leave him/her alone for about four weeks, other than routine maintenance. Don't hold it, don't offer it food.

After that four week period, drop in a small rat. I'd be willing to wager if you get those temps just right and keep it in a nice quiet area, it will take that live rat.

The key is leave him/her alone for a longer acclimation period before offering food again.

Here's what I set up a large pet store rescue in, and left her alone for four weeks. She ate from the first offering (four weeks after bringing her home) and every week, except when in blue after that. I only offered one small live rat a week, on the same day and same time each week.

[Dananyc]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll go get a new temp/humidity gauge---the guy gave me one with the snake, but I think it's junk. What type would you recommend?


The picture of the set-up was very helpful---question for you---how did you cut the kitty litter pan (great idea--I couldn't find a hide she looked comfortable in!) to prevent rough edges? I thought about cutting a tub of some sort, but I'm afraid the edges could scratch her, and I've heard horror stories about duct tape in tanks (used to cover the rough edges I mean, but I don't want to take any chances).

Thanks again for the quick responses--she's very active, friendly, curious, and has gone through 2 perfect sheds (which makes me think the humidity's ok)---but no food. I didn't even know a snake could go through a full shed period without eating.

[SarahMB]

I use a soldering iron to make my hide entrances. They come out nice and smooth.
Um, don't drip hot plastic on your fingers.

[_BoidFinatic_]

I would suggest trying large mice. Do you know what the previous owner was feeding your BP?