Feeding woes

[Holbeird]

When I went to the Raleigh show, I picked up 3 new snakes. Set them all up and two of them a 1 year old pastel, and the ch poss granite are doing fine. But my other, a fancy normal has not eaten for me yet. Her temps are spot on, 91.6 on the warm side, 81.3 on the cool side. She's in a 7 quart with 2 identical hides. She has not eaten for me yet. I got her May 5/6 and when I got her home and weighed her, she was 75 grams, last weekend when I gave it a shot, she was 45. She's tiny and I'm worried about the little girl. I've tried live, leaving them in over night, towel over the tub, braining everything I can think of. The only thing I haven't tried yet is pre-senting with gerbil. Is there anything else I can do and when should I consider force feeding?

[xdeus]

Wow, 30 grams in 3 weeks is a lot to lose for such a little snake. I wouldn't wait more than a week or two at the most before force feeding, however I would try to assist feed first. Instead of working the pinky down the snake, just place it in her mouth and hope she can figure out the rest. You may have to try it several times before it takes but it is a lot less stressful than force feeding.

First, though, I would try your idea about scenting with a gerbil. You may also want to place some gerbil bedding in the cage about 20 minutes before offering her the pink.

[Evan Jamison]

I argee, assist feeding is your best option if she will not take anything of her own accord. You didn't mention what prey items you have tried though. If you've already tried live mouse hoppers and crawlers, as well as pinkie rats, it seems a good time to try assist feeding. Hope she pull through for ya.

-Evan

[Holbeird]

Tried Rat pinks, mouse fuzzies/pinks/hoppers, and I got ahold of a friend who has ASF rats and I tried one of their pinks, and nothing