2 weeks and still hes not eating

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zina10

Here is what I would do...

First of all STOP any handling, moving and disturbing whatsoever. Only get in the tank to remove waste, or change water, if needed.

That snake has been handled way to much right from the get go. Even if tame, doesn't mean its not really stressed.

I would make the back and sides of the tank "solid" meaning hanging a dark sheet over it, the top as well, making the tank seem more of a cave. Also have a hide in hot and cold spot, too. Stop disturbing him or trying to move him for feeding.

Let the snake relax like this for at least a week. If he has eaten before, it won't hurt him at all not to eat for a few weeks, its much worse to keep trying and keep handling all the time, the snake will never get to relax and feel safe. Don't handle until the snake is an established eater, and then go slow...

Pinkie Mice seem way to small of a food item, your snake could probably easily eat a small mouse, unless he has never eaten well before. Try at least a weanling mouse of fuzzy rat, live.

Put it in the tank and leave the room (unless its an adult rodent that can do damage, then you have to stay nearby and supervise) The snake won't eat till he feels safe. He won't feel safe if he is constantly bothered for some reason or another.

And don't worry...he will eat and it won't hurt to skip a couple of weeks. Unless he is skinny and looking "bad", then you would have to find a vet to see if there are some internal parasites, etc...

Can you post a quick pic before you put him into "isolation" ?

---

Here is a link to the other site i go to.There is a few pics of him there.http://snakebytestv.ning.com/photo/p...=0e1c3hcvd9lc8

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zina10

Can you post a quick pic before you put him into "isolation" ?

---

We are pic fanatics.

No, the two hides don't have to be the same...
And leave enough room in the tank for him to be able to grab and coil around a rodent.

He looks like he has eaten before, so I would go straight to "isolation" with him. He was handled to much, moved around and basically "messed" with daily, he is most likely still stressed out. Also, I would not move him for feeding.

Cover the tank, leave him alone for a minimum of a week, then try a weanling mouse of fuzzy rat. He is definitely to big for a mouse pinky.

When you are ready to feed, put the rodent in, and stay "out of sight" until its eaten. If its not eaten, remove it after a couple of hours, and try again 5 days later.
You have to remember, in the wild snakes are VERY vulnerable while they eat. They cannot get away or defend themselves during feeding, so until they learn its "safe" they sometimes
won't eat if there is any commotion.

Try feeding late evening, too.

Don't handle again, until he is eating regularly.

You will have him for a very long time, so a little patience now (I know how tempting it is to handle them) will pay off big !!

:)

Here are a few things I would do

Either clutter up the enclosure adding crumble news paper or even better down size the enclosure to a 15 quarts tubs.

Feed an appropriate size prey, fuzzy rats are way too small for a 4 months BP if it is fuzzy mice it's even worse, too small of a prey might not be recognized as prey or not big enough to be constricted.

NO HANDLING, no more handling until the animal eats with consistency, at least 5 consecutive meals

Feed in the enclosure to prevent stress that can lead to refusal, all it's needed is to drop the prey in the enclosure.

Only offer once a week.

Key words for young animal to heat are security, heat and limited stress