Sake hasn't eaten on its own for 2 yrs

I got this snake a a lady that was tired of taking care of it. She said she had to force feed her for the past two years. On inspection the snake looked very healthy. I got home and weighed her in at 1700g. I know there are a lot of post about problem eaters but I think this case is a little unique. I know after being forced fed for years there is little to know hope of getting her back in the game but if anyone has anything that can help me, please let me know. Adm I took her on knowing full well she had this problem. I don't mind force feeding her if I have to. She is a great snake.

What was her husbandry and setup like with her previous owner and also, now with you? That could make a HUGE difference in whether or not they eat.

Yes, how much has the husbandry changed from her taking care of it to you? You said that the snake seems healthy so if that is the case, skip feeding for a few weeks. At 1700 grams she will be quite fine. A healthy snake won't starve itself. After a few weeks start introducing food again. When doing so start offering live rats. A healthy snake that is hungry will rarely turn down a live rat so that might be a great start.

That's what I was thinking too. They said they ha a good set up didn't matter much to me as I was going to take her anyway. I have a basement where I keep my snakes usually between 86-90 degrees. Ceramic water bowls usually keep the cool side in the low 80s Humidity is always in the 60s. Feedings once or twice a week depending on who's eating what. (Rats or mice).

Just got her today. They said she hadn't eaten for a month. I'm going to try a mouse every other week and see what happens.

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Originally Posted by boyer.michael.s

Yes, how much has the husbandry changed from her taking care of it to you? You said that the snake seems healthy so if that is the case, skip feeding for a few weeks. At 1700 grams she will be quite fine. A healthy snake won't starve itself. After a few weeks start introducing food again. When doing so start offering live rats. A healthy snake that is hungry will rarely turn down a live rat so that might be a great start.

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I second this, and not to be mean but this snakes hand has been held for to long.( you get what I'm saying) I'm going to keep an eye on this thread, I want to know of you can get her back on live.

Oh jeeze. My personal recommendation: offer live food, try various: rats, mice, asf's; try offering normal sized and very small meals. Try putting lots of crumpled balls of paper in her tub to make it feel cluttered and safe. Go to a vet and have a fecal test done to check for parasites, it's not to expensive. But do NOT assist feed that snake unless she hasn't eaten in over a year. I had one go 7 months before finally taking a mouse, she'll be fine.

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I'm in the same area as you OP. Did yoiu get this snake off of thatn craigslist ad? I was about to go for it but it was about a two hoiur drive away. I agree with the others here, stop feeding for a few weeks and toss in a fresh tasty live rat. By the way they've been force feeding it she might not eat for quite some time though.

Appreciate all the help I'm going to try the crumpled paper thing out. Thank you all I will tell you how it goes.

The crumpled paper made a HUGE difference for my snakes. I put a LOT, almost no empty space in the tub. The first feeding after I tried it, every single one of my pickiest eaters took, these are snakes that were going on weeks long strikes.

And good luck!

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Show I guess I'm doing something right. Instead of putting her in a rack I put her in my large terrarium. Bumped up the heat and humidity in the room. After not eating on her own for 2 years she took the first RAT! It tried to feed her after a 20 minute stocking, with a couple of stair downs. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/06/7uhahu2e.jpg

She found the head and took it down.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/06/ygyqejad.jpg

I'm failing to see 1700gr? How old is she? Looks very healthy though!!

Grats on the successful feeding, is always great to know you are doing it right especially with one who appeared to be a potential problem child.

Thanks. It does feel good. I hope she keeps it up. She is 5 years old and over 5' long. With her eating so soon and looking healthy I might try pairing her up this year if she keeps it up.

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Originally Posted by Oombootoo

Thanks. It does feel good. I hope she keeps it up. She is 5 years old and over 5' long. With her eating so soon and looking healthy I might try pairing her up this year if she keeps it up.

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Did you bother sexing it yourself???

I popped her but she was pretty stiff. Had to try a couple times and she is super strong, but she's female.

Force feeding a 1700g female, OMG! This snake has fed more than 100 times in it's life. IT KNOWS HOW TO EAT!!!

You don't need tricks. Just offer it a rat every 2 weeks and it'll eat eventually.

She ate. Got pics too.