female off feed

[DemmBalls]

At this past reptile show in Cleveland, I decided to pic up a 1200 gram (empty) female normal to add to my future breeders. I was told she produced 6 eggs in the past (i'm assuming this past breeding season). My question for you is...is it normal for a mature female to go off food after being moved? I have heard they often times won't lay after being moved. It will be three weeks this sunday and I've offered food every Sunday since the show. She just has no interest in feeding.

She is in a 32qt tub w/ a fairly snug hide and a 5" water bowl. Temps are 92-95 on the hot side with an ambient temp of about 78-82. Humidity averages between 60-70 percent.

Am I doing anything wrong or does she just need some time? It may be importand to mention that she does not get handled at all. I'm not concerned with her weight yet, but I would like to have an idea as to what's going on.

opinions are appreciated!

[AaronP]

Her setup sounds fine. When did you get her? I have had adult females go off feed for months at a time without being gravid or anything. Sometimes they just do that. Does she look like she has a healthy amount of weight on her, or does she look a little skinny?

Also what kind of food are you offering her? What was her previous owner feeding her? These are questions that will need to be answered before better advice can be given.

[seeya205]

Did you ask the owner what she eats? You may not be feeding what she is used to!

[DemmBalls]

She looks to be at a fine weight...not heavy, but definitely not too thin.

The old owner told me she took frozen and live.

[AaronP]

She looks to be at a fine weight...not heavy, but definitely not too thin.

The old owner told me she took frozen and live.

So what are you offering her?

[vangarret2000]

It is normal for snakes to go months without feeding. I have had some last 3-5 months. A girl her size has nothing to worry about not have meals for a while. As long as she has a proper setup and stays healthy you don't have a problem. You are just gonna have to wait it out. When snakes are off food I usually don't try feeding them as often. If you are attempting to feed every week just leave it for every 2 weeks until she gets back on. I know it might be a stressful for you but you just got to not worry about it.

[DemmBalls]

So what are you offering her?

I have tried both. I offered frozen the first week, then I have been offering live since then. When I offered her the live prey, I scented the cage with the rat and she popped her head out of the hide like she was interested. Then as soon as I let the rat lose, she coiled into a ball and wouldn't look at it.

Subconsciously i know this is normal, but I still hate it and I am always looking for a solution (even though there may not be one). I guess I'll just have to suck it up and wait it out.

On a side note...when do most of you start pairing? I was hoping to get a little more weight on her before then.

Thanks,

[rpmoore318]

Humidity is pretty high. Some of my balls won't eat when the humidity is that high. Others won't eat unless the humidity is high. They can be strange creatures...

Could be entering a shed cycle, they'll do that occasionally when they find new homes. Also wouldn't hurt to get a fecal done just to make sure she's healthy on the insides.

Also, do you trust the person you purchased her from? There's always the question "Why are you selling a breeding size female?" especially when you get her home and she won't eat.

3 weeks isn't a long time, 3 months and I'd start to worry. I will say that all of my females are back on feed tho. Keep trying and good luck!

[llovelace]

She may just need time to settle in, I would skip a feeding and leave her alone for 7-10 days.

[DemmBalls]

Humidity is pretty high. Some of my balls won't eat when the humidity is that high. Others won't eat unless the humidity is high. They can be strange creatures...

Could be entering a shed cycle, they'll do that occasionally when they find new homes. Also wouldn't hurt to get a fecal done just to make sure she's healthy on the insides.

Also, do you trust the person you purchased her from? There's always the question "Why are you selling a breeding size female?" especially when you get her home and she won't eat.

3 weeks isn't a long time, 3 months and I'd start to worry. I will say that all of my females are back on feed tho. Keep trying and good luck!

Maybe I'll punch a few more holes in her tub to lower the humidity if she doesnt start eating in a few more weeks.

She shed and pooped the day I bought her. She looks and acts totally healthy in every other way. I'll see the seller at the cleveland show in two weeks. I'll talk to him about her and see what he has to say (if she hasn't eaten by then). he is always at the shows.

Thanks,