Feeding Issues

Hello, I just want to get everyones opinion on this. I have searched so please don't tell me... I'd just like to hear advice from everyone in my personal situation.

I currently have a male mojave.. He has been a problem feeder from the beginning.. I'm really starting to get worried. When I got him he was on f/t rat pups but a poor eater, not an overly huge feeding response, I moved him to a very small tub (not sure of the dimensions) with just a hide, water dish and he was on aspen. This stressed him about completely, he escaped, had major nose rubs, and very scared all the time. Now he seems more comfortable in a larger tub, not trying to escape, hiding etc. He seems to have a trend where he will eat twice, then stop for a month, eat twice, stop for a month. He's really thin as well.. loose skin. I'm not sure what to do, I have tried all methods. He just recently shed but he hasn't really gained any weight in about 6 months, just staying steady between 400-420 grams.
At first he would eat with the lights on, when I tried asf's he finally struck and coiled the rat, I was very excited to say the least. Now he shows no interest. I have tried rats, asf's and mice.

In people experienced opinions, does this seem like he may be a live feeder, where he will take f/t when he feels like he wants to? Or do people have snakes that are like this as well. I'm really starting to get worried.

Temps are good, 80*f ambient, 90*-92*f on the warm side. Also, the current setup he's in I now have put balled up newspaper in the tub with him, but he is now hiding underneath the paper towel.

Sorry for the long post..

Thanks,
Mike

Take him for a car ride.. don't offer for about a week or two..then toss him in a bag and take him for a car ride. I've had to do a couple of snakes that way. you may have to do it every week till he get's to eating good..then again he may never be a great eater..

If he'll take live prey by all means feed him live.

Have you taken him to a vet? Maybe he's got a health issue going on...some internal parasites can cause feeding issues...

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Originally Posted by sho220

If he'll take live prey by all means feed him live.

Have you taken him to a vet? Maybe he's got a health issue going on...some internal parasites can cause feeding issues...

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Yea I thought about that too. I've almost contacted the person a few times about picking up a live rat pup and then he'll eat for me. I get to this point again and he'll probably eat when I offer again.

He has such a poor feeding response I'd be nervous feeding him live.

What do people do with rat pups that don't get fed off? All of my other snakes take f/t and are all eating fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Take him for a car ride.. don't offer for about a week or two..then toss him in a bag and take him for a car ride. I've had to do a couple of snakes that way. you may have to do it every week till he get's to eating good..then again he may never be a great eater..

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I will try this when it warms up, hopefully it'll be resolved before this though. (winter time here).

What does a car ride do for them?

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by piper

I will try this when it warms up, hopefully it'll be resolved before this though. (winter time here).

What does a car ride do for them?

Thanks

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Not sure but I've gotten more than one stubborn feeder to eat that way

Anyone else have any advice on this?

Try live. Don't worry about him getting hurt, just supervise the feeding. If feeding live is enough to get him to eat every week I would feed live in a heartbeat.


If he isn't showing signs of stress and still won't eat live, I would suggest bagging some poo (if you can) and bring it to the vet. He could have some kind of internal parasite or something.