Frustrated!

I picked up a little guy about 3 months ago. Het Albino male, not sure if it matters. He weighs about 700g. Has not eaten at all since I got him. I try regularly every week. He was supposedly on live mice before. I have tried those, live hopper rats, live small rats, PK of all types, FT of all types and he just isn't having it. :rage:

Do you think its because of the time of year? He doesn't seem to be losing hardly any weight at all, maybe just 5 or 10 grams. He has shed 3 times, he is overly active when you take him out. He squirts around like crazy. I just don't know why he won't eat. Has defecated twice since I got him doesn't seem to be any issues recognizable by me. I had a local check him out and said he is fine and I am still stressed because.....well..... thats just me.

I know a lot of people say ASF but we don't really have access to those here in NM very readily. And it would be outrageous for me to ship a quantity of them in.

Any thoughts or suggestions on what I should do? :please:

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Originally Posted by jtyson123

I picked up a little guy about 3 months ago. Het Albino male, not sure if it matters. He weighs about 700g. Has not eaten at all since I got him. I try regularly every week. He was supposedly on live mice before. I have tried those, live hopper rats, live small rats, PK of all types, FT of all types and he just isn't having it. :rage:

Do you think its because of the time of year? He doesn't seem to be losing hardly any weight at all, maybe just 5 or 10 grams. He has shed 3 times, he is overly active when you take him out. He squirts around like crazy. I just don't know why he won't eat. Has defecated twice since I got him doesn't seem to be any issues recognizable by me. I had a local check him out and said he is fine and I am still stressed because.....well..... thats just me.

I know a lot of people say ASF but we don't really have access to those here in NM very readily. And it would be outrageous for me to ship a quantity of them in.

Any thoughts or suggestions on what I should do? :please:

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don't hold him till he eats, and have you tried (braining the mouse?) its when you expose a bit of blood another trick is go to the pet store and ask for some soiled gerbal hay and let ur f/t mouse sit in it for a bit so it gets gerbal scent on it :)


let us know how it goes!!

What size enclosure is he in? How many hides does he have?

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

What size enclosure is he in? How many hides does he have?

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He is in quarantine still in a 41qt tub with one hide.

I wont hold him until he eats thats not a big deal. When you say braining, would smashing the head so it bleeds through its nose be sufficient? Sorry if that sounds too graphic or harsh for anyone.

Make sure temps are consistant, and his enclosure is good size and has appropriate hides. Hmm, leave him alone for 7-10 days, then try again? IDK but good luck dude

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Originally Posted by jtyson123

He is in quarantine still in a 41qt tub with one hide.

I wont hold him until he eats thats not a big deal. When you say braining, would smashing the head so it bleeds through its nose be sufficient? Sorry if that sounds too graphic or harsh for anyone.

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Start with adding another hide. To brain you can either cut the head open a bit, of put a nail on it's head and add a hammer...I've only ever done it once, and it was already dead to begin with.

I would move him to a 32qt and try two hides before you go smashing a rodents skull in. In my opinion, that doesn't even work.

He doesn't even like to go in the hide that he has now. Stubborn I guess. I will try braining a rat in the next week or two. I don't care about the rats so much, they are just a meal so whatever needs to be done its cool.

Why do you suggest multiple hides? I have never heard that before.

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Originally Posted by jtyson123

He doesn't even like to go in the hide that he has now. Stubborn I guess. I will try braining a rat in the next week or two. I don't care about the rats so much, they are just a meal so whatever needs to be done its cool.

Why do you suggest multiple hides? I have never heard that before.

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In all glass tanks setups two hides are suggested to help the snake feel safer since glass tanks are so open.

If a snake is not using its hides it means it doesn't feel safe enough to curl up and go to sleep. If it doesn't feel safe enough to hide, it might not feel safe enough to eat.

Try a smaller tub and two smaller hides. You might be surprised.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

In all glass tanks setups two hides are suggested to help the snake feel safer since glass tanks are so open.

If a snake is not using its hides it means it doesn't feel safe enough to curl up and go to sleep. If it doesn't feel safe enough to hide, it might not feel safe enough to eat.

Try a smaller tub and two smaller hides. You might be surprised.

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Alright it can't hurt! I will pick some up tomorrow.