Adult Pastel With Feeding Issues... UGH!!!

I have this early 08 female pastel. She is the worst eater ever! as long as I've owned her she has never had a rat. I was told that she was a bad eater when I got her, but she was at good deal and I liked the way she looked. When I got her she went 2 months without a feeding. I offered a small rat every week. I changed size of prey. F/T to live. Lights off and on. Different time of day and night... nothing. I then tried a live jumbo mouse. Finally she started to eat regularly. Not much though. She would refuse mice and would eat on average 1-2 times a month. Either way I was happy she was getting food down. Now she is on the same kick. Won't eat and hasn't touched a mouse in about 2 months. I know that they can go a while without feed, but she looking a little thin and I really want her to get up to weight. She's at 1300 grams and should be 1600+ based on her size. I was going to try ASFs but they are illegal in Cali. Her temps are right and sheds well.

I'm just looking for any ideas from people that maybe had a similar issue or just can give me good advice.
I have had the same jumbo mouse in a little aquarium as a pet for a while because she won't eat it!... it is kinda cute :P Great, now Trisket has grown on me and yes I had to name it :rolleyes:

Thanks
Vitto

At that age, she's in her third winter, so she's probably breedable (as long as she hasn't been losing weight from not eating). I had a 1200g girl leap to almost 1700g in the last 6 months, after she laid her first clutch ('06). You might try throwing a male in with her and see what happens - if not this year, then next.

I guess I'm not sure what you mean by "should be 1600+ based on her size", though. Has she lost weight? Some of my girls just look leaner than others (esp. if they're virgins), but they're still healthy.

Is she in a tub or aquarium? And what are the temps/ humidity on both sides?

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

At that age, she's in her third winter, so she's probably breedable (as long as she hasn't been losing weight from not eating). I had a 1200g girl leap to almost 1700g in the last 6 months, after she laid her first clutch ('06). You might try throwing a male in with her and see what happens - if not this year, then next.

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This is true, i have heard a couple people say that their snakes become good eaters after laying their first clutch.

Gerbils?

I have one of those females, lol, may 09 yellowbelly that just hit 1300 grams.
I also have an Aug. 09 yellowbelly female that is 2200+ grams :P

They certainly don't all grow at the same rate.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I have a 09 mojave female who is just thicker more well developed at 1700 grams. I look at my pastel female and she just looks skinnier. She's maybe like a Victoria Secret Model skinny. Where I like my women... I mean snakes as a J-lo skinny. Sexy,curvey, well developed, not like a 12 year old boy or the Olson Twins... Are we still talking snakes? Anyway, you get what I'm saying, I hope.

I have her in a 64qt 4 high rack where I keep all my large females. Her temps her 92 warm and 84 cool with a hide. The humidity is good since I live right on the Cali Bay and have a large ceramic dog bowl.

I think gerbils are illegal in Cali as well.

As for breeding. I may just try to put my male fire with her and hope for the best. I didn't breed this year only because I was transfering in June. This will be my first time breeding.

Will I have hatchlings by June or will they still be in the egg? (if they lock up and everything goes according ot plan)

So I may try to breed her if it may help her put on weight. And fireflys are a good looking morph

I wouldnt try a gerbil because theres a chance the snake could decide it only like eating gerbils from now on and then youll be stuck buying gerbils for the rest of her life lol

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I wouldnt try a gerbil because theres a chance the snake could decide it only like eating gerbils from now on and then youll be stuck buying gerbils for the rest of her life lol

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Either way, I couldn't find them regardless. Not to say it would happen, but I don't want to go to jail for a gerbil :P

I had the same problem with an 08 yellowbelly female. She was 1300 give or take in sept and shes been locking up with my yellowbelly male since then and has put on 400 plus grams. She was never a terrible feeder just a slow grower but after I started pairing her she went through a little feeding frenzy. Hope u get it figured out.

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Originally Posted by Vitto

As for breeding. I may just try to put my male fire with her and hope for the best. I didn't breed this year only because I was transfering in June. This will be my first time breeding.

Will I have hatchlings by June or will they still be in the egg? (if they lock up and everything goes according ot plan)

So I may try to breed her if it may help her put on weight. And fireflys are a good looking morph

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Fireflies are definitely hot. My two clutches last year hatched the first week of June, but from what I hear, that's on the early side.

Would it help if I took a picture of her and you guys can tell me if she is underweight?

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Originally Posted by Vitto

I was going to try ASFs but they are illegal in Cali.

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Originally Posted by Vitto

I think gerbils are illegal in Cali as well.

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What IS legal there!? Sheesh!

As long as she doesn't look "triangular," I would say she's OK as far as weight goes. Some just grow and different rates.

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Originally Posted by KatStoverReptiles

What IS legal there!? Sheesh!

As long as she doesn't look "triangular," I would say she's OK as far as weight goes. Some just grow and different rates.

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Ferrits are legal... oh wait no there not.

I think she may be a little "triangular". I'll take pics and I'll get some opinions. I just want her healthy. Maybe I should just tell her she's not fat and she shouldn't starve herself. Maybe letting her know I'm there for her and love her no matter what she looks like. I think comparing her to my other snakes has maybe hurt her self esteem. :rolleye2:

I'm taking her on the Dr. Phil Show!

Best of luck!

Throw the male in with her and then offer her food. It will probably trigger her. I have one that is a PAIN when it comes to feeding. I put a male in with her and a few days later she went on an absolute tear. She hasnt refused a meal since! When she does turn a meal down.. I will throw a male in with her again and see if i can keep her going. I do like bigger clutches so I tend to wait longer to breed.

I had two girls throw 10 egg clutches for me last year.. and I have two more that are getting to that size.

Scuba