Feeding Problem

Its now 5 weeks since Holly last ate and although I have been told not to worry, I am.

The first few feeds were no probelm. She would strike and eat the f/t mice with no issue.
I havent changed anything but heres what I have.

Plastic tub with UTH
2 hides - one over UHT - one on cool side
water dish
UHT is attached to a thermostat and temps are 92F hot side, 75F cool side.

Any ideas? Do I need to worry? I will post pics of her set up this evening if it helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don5999

Its now 5 weeks since Holly last ate and although I have been told not to worry, I am.

The first few feeds were no probelm. She would strike and eat the f/t mice with no issue.
I havent changed anything but heres what I have.

Plastic tub with UTH
2 hides - one over UHT - one on cool side
water dish
UHT is attached to a thermostat and temps are 92F hot side, 75F cool side.

Any ideas? Do I need to worry? I will post pics of her set up this evening if it helps.

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Bump that cool side up to around 82. Its far too cold on the cool side and most likely the ambient temp of the cage is too cold as well. How old is the snake?

She is only a baby - weighing about 142g.

Whats the best way to bump up the cool side? The UHT is only under one half.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don5999

She is only a baby - weighing about 142g.

Whats the best way to bump up the cool side? The UHT is only under one half.

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What type of enclosure are you using? Give as much description of your setup as possible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don5999

She is only a baby - weighing about 142g.

Whats the best way to bump up the cool side? The UHT is only under one half.

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It seems that the room temp is probably pretty cool. So aside from getting a space heater and bumping the room temp, another UTH for the cool side with a second thermostat is the way to go. With temps that low you are risking a respiratory infection sooner or later.

How big is the tub?

Long delay so apologies.

Update: Holly is still refusing to eat!

Her tub is 22"X16"X7". The UTH is under the one half, attached to a thermostat which is directly on the UTH. Temps read between 90-92F. I am trying to bump up the cool side which reads between 75-80F.

2 identical hides but she prefers the cool one most of the time.


I am convinced I am doing something wrong, she is very active though - my corns are doing just fine - and I want the best for Holly.

Please help.....again.....


http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o.../HollyTub3.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o.../HollyTub2.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...9/HollyTub.jpg

Have you tried prescenting, or leaving her overnight with the f/t??? Are you warming the mouse first with some warm water (in a ziplock)??

Temp and humidity are very important. If you can't get the second UTH and thermostat quickly try a very low watt light set several inches above the cool side.

Those hides also look a bit large for her, they should be snug to her on all sides, top included, try some smaller ones, and then you could always use those again once she gets bigger.

Have you tried a live mouse??

Also, what kind of substrate is that???

My thoughts looking at the pics -


You have too much empty space for her. Balls like tight spaces to feel comfortable. Add to this what sounds like you getting worried means you are more than likely trying to feed her more often and checking on her more often...so more stress for her.

Here is what I recommend -
Get smaller hides so she has to squeeze in (they like it this way)
Add crumpled newspaper to take up the extra space (or a smaller tank)
Cover the tub in a blanket or contact paper around all the one side (so it is nice and dark in there)
Finally don't try feeding her again for at least a week after you make the above changes.

It just appear she is really stressing now.

Also, 5 weeks is nothing I have had adults go off feed for several months with no issues - you just need to make sure she isn't losing too much weight.
Keep us posted.

Hi,


Everyone seems to have covered the info I was going to post so I thought I would ask a question instead.:)

Could you walk us through your feeding routine from how you defrost to how you offer and the surroundings at the time?

It might help us spot any little tips we could offer.

Also have you stopped handling her to remove that as a possible source of stress?


dr del