Feeding Problems

I am a new owner and I have had the snake for over 3 weeks, now. My problem is that it won't eat. I tried two fuzzy mice and it didn't eat those and kind of turned away from them if they came towards it. This week, I tried a pinky, thinking the others were too big for him since he is rather small, but it didn't eat that either. Does anyone know how I can get him to eat? I am getting really concerned since my roommate's snake has eaten 3 times and is having no problems.

What are the temps and how do you have the tank setup?

You know when i first got my BP i didnt eat a fuzzy or a pinky but i tried a hopper and that did the trick. Don't try to feed every day this will stress them out. Make sure you have proper hides and most importantly are you feeding live?

First thing is, don't stress too much and make sure you have the setup right for the little guy so that he feels secure and knows he'll be able to digest his meal and do it in peace. You might try replacing whatever hides you're using with something snug with some heft to it, especially if you're sure you have your temps and humidity right. One of my snakes started out with cardboard hides and just couldn't get happy with them, but make a hide out of rocks or clay or terra cotta or something and he's happy.

The temps are right around 80*. I made the hide out of a cardboard box. The other snake that we have stays in the same cage since they were from the same litter and they do not have any problems with eachother. I also separate them when they feed. I am also feeding live, which I am thinking might be the problem since he seems to "freak out" when the mouse moves near him.

Yes, feeding live could be the problem as it can be intimidating and is less safe. It would be a good idea to switch to frozen-thawed or at least pre-killed prey for them. Also, you need a temp gradient from about 80 on one side to about 90 on the other for the snakes to thermoregulate. If they don't have a hide around 90, it will be difficult to digest because their metabolisms rely on external heat.

Take a couple days and make sure the temps are right with a digital thermometer. You can get a great one that will read both sides of the tank and the humidity as well for about $15 at WalMart with their outdoor thermometers. If the temps aren't right, you can buy a human heating pad at WalMart for about $10 without auto-shutoff and put it under the side you want to be the warm side on its low setting. Once you get the temps right, let the snakes rest in them for a few days (in heavier, snug hides if you can, then try feeding again and you may well have a feeding snake.

If you have any questions, please do come here and ask because this is a great community of both experienced and new snake keepers who are happy to help your snake get a good setup. :)

How many hides do you have. Ever thought of seperating the two to see what happens.

Well, over the weekend, I tried something that the pet store told me to do. We put the snake in a paper bag with the mouse over night because they said that he would eat it. Well, that didn't work either. I have to wait until thursday agian until I can get another mouse, too.

You wouldn't want to try before Thursday anyway, at the earliest. Have you tried any of the other suggestions?

I have a heating pad under one end of the cage and that is where the hide is located. However, it is only about 80* in that side. What is a way that I can make it warmer in there? I am also going to try and feed it a frozen mouse this week.

What setting do you have the heat pad on and what are you using for substrate? Often a thinner layer of substrate or bumping up the pad one notch will do the trick.

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We put the snake in a paper bag with the mouse over night because they said that he would eat it.

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It isn't a good idea to leave live prey w/a snake unattended. The snake can get injured should the prey decide to bite or scratch. Even if you are supervising your snake w/live prey an accident can happen in an instant. That's why I prefer and suggest either p/k (pre-killed) or f/t (frozen/thawed) food.
Keep us posted on how it goes, I'm sure he'll eat for you soon. Just be patient and try not to worry too much (I know it's hard, I'm always worried about Sophie!). :smile:

You need 2 hides it sounds like you have only one. One hide on the warm side and one hide on the cool side. Make sure the hides are sized appropriately. A hide should be just big enough for the snake to fit in and completely dark letting in very little light. I have a little baby ball python and he loves those little cereal boxes the kind you get in 8 pack variety pack.

Now for the feeding the pet store said to put it in a paper bag over night. LOL. Sadly enough i can believe it.

Here is what I do. Get a small cardboard box like a shoe box one that is completely dark. Put the snake in there for about 10 minutes be sure to secure the lid with something heavy. After 10 minutes put a mouse in there that is KNOCKED OUT as in NOT ALIVE this is very important. Leave the FRESH DEAD mouse in with the snake for about 30 minutes. Chances are you will not find the mouse in there. If this doesnt work. Keep trying and be sure to put enough hides. They will not eat if they do not have a suitable place to digest thier food.

I took it to the pet store again and they said that he is healthy, but just not eating. I will try again when they get some more mice. I will also get some new hides for them.

I know it's hard to wrap our heads around, but snakes can go weeks and weeks without eating if they have to, even young ones. If I were in your shoes, what I would do is focus on getting the set-up just right first...and then worry about feeding them. Get the temperature gradient set up like Marla talked about, and good hides on both ends of the tank. If you must have two snakes in the same enclosure, make sure there is plenty of room for both of them at either end.

Once you're sure the set-up is correct and you don't have to mess with it anymore except to provide fresh water...then leave them completely alone for at least a week, preferably two. (Just make sure they always have fresh water.) Eating makes a snake very vulnerable, and they won't do it if they don't feel safe. Leaving them completely alone gives them a chance to get used to their new home and begin to realize they are safe there.

After they've had this chance to acclimate, then you can try feeding them, following the advice already given here. I would advice against listening to the folks that work at the petstore. More often than not, they don't know what they're talking about, but can sound like they do. (A dangerous combination.)

While you're getting the set-up correct, and giving the snakes time to acclimate, you can lay in a supply of frozen rodents. They can be ordered at any number of places online. Pet stores often carry them as well. Or you can look for a reptile expo/show in your area. Anything within a couple hours of where you live would be worth the trip because you get to enjoy a great day of looking at awesome animals up-close and personal, as well as buy a supply of frozen rodents that meet your needs without paying for shipping.

Finally...(Sorry for going on so long!)...when you do try feeding them....do NOT try to feed them more often than once a week. If they refuse a meal, wait a full week before trying again. Any more often than that is counter-productive because it stresses the snakes out and makes them not want to eat even more.