Strikes at Food, then Releases?

I've got a young female, around 350 grams, that's been on a hunger strike for going on 4 weeks now. She was in shed, so I wasn't too worried about it. But I've been continuing to offer food once a week like I normally do. She will strike at the rat and coil up, but after a minute or so will release it. If I try to offer it again, she won't even look at it. And it's the same dance every time. I tried smaller, larger, different color, scenting with mice, actual mice, everything short of live, but she's never had live. I've never had a snake do this, so I'm not sure what it means. I had someone tell me it could be an issue with her jaw? If anyone has some insight, I'd appreciate it.

How are you warming the prey? I warm with hot water. The prey should mimic live prey which has a body temp around 100F to give you an idea.

Sometimes a few feedings of live prey will kick them out of a slump so you may try that.

I thaw the rats in a bowl of hot-ish water until they are warm to the touch.

Warm to the touch to you is prob not 100F. If you have a temp gun hit them with it to see what you are offering them at. I like to offer over 100F because they start to cool quick.

I will try that the next time I feed. It's just odd because she's never been a problem feeder. And she's striking and wrapping like she wants to eat it, then just lets it go.

I would try using a hair dryer after the rat is thawed and heat the head more than the body. Then when the snake strikes try wiggling the rat slightly to entice the snake to wrap, it will mimic the rat struggling. I had this same issue with one of my snakes and this worked for me :) I hope this is helpful.

Mine did the same thing last year during the early part of her hunger strike.
Except I feed live, so she just killed for no reason.

I waited a month before offering again. Fortunately for the rat, she just refused. Then she continued her hunger strike for several months.

Hope this helps.

My baby albino will strike and wrap then quit and go home if I stand there. If I cover her tub and leave then she eats it. Worth a try


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