My non-eating little guy

OK, it has only been a week and I am not really stressing out. I tried a week ago with a mouse and he had no interest. I even tried killing the mouse myself to see if he would do the pre-killed thing (unfortunately San Francisco does not allow an animal to be killed in a pet store) and he didn't have any interest and I decided that that was the last time we try pre-killed. (I cried for like a minute afterwards. :( )

My question is what should I do while he is fasting? How often should I offer him food? I know he could go 9 months without feeding as long as he doesn't lose too much weight. But what do I do between now and then? Do I buy a mouse once a week and if he doesn't eat it take it out? And what do I do with that stupid mouse? Let it go? Keep it as a pet? Should I take this opportunity to try to get him on f/t? Just keep on giving him them until he takes them? Just looking for some ideas.

Rachel

Well, if he's eating adult mice, just keep the mouse around and toss it in the tank once a week until the darn snake eats.

You might try skipping a week of no food item interaction then reintroducing a f/t or pre-killed (its part of keeping reptiles...you can do it) to the snake in a confined enclosure such as a small covered tub...or some people have used paper bags. I would personally suggest a small tub in the evening covered so no light reaches inside. This has worked for me so many times in the past, most recently with a tiny hatchling children's python.

I know the first month I had my Ball she didn't eat, until I put her in a box with a warm f/t pinkie, works wonders when you're not watching, but never do it with live prey. Try the once a week food offerings, eventually when s/he gets hungry, then it'll eat.

in addition to the above make sure your husbandry is correct (temps,humidity,hides) is the snake due for a shed?


vaughn