Finally Ate!

[CWalker]

I have an 08 Cali King that had not eaten since I got it (October 28). It shed within the first week that I had it, but absolutely refused any and all food. I was extremely worried and had offered everything (frozen, live, brained frozen, etc. in various sized containers). Finally, this last saturday it ate!!! Just offered it a small live pinky and there it went!

Now, should i offer it another one this week or wait since this is its first meal in so long?

Thanks for the advice!

[Brandon Osborne]

If it keeps the food down for a few days, you are good to go. I would continue to feed it every 3-5 days until it's on weaned mice. The first 12-18 months are when snakes need the most food and nutrients for growing. Feed often and watch it grow.

[CWalker]

Thank you very much! I'm gonna offer it another one tomorrow. That will be 4 days and it seems to be doing very well. Was quiet the first day after, but has been active since.

BTW, that one of a kind that you guys have is absolutely phenominal!!

Thanks again

[CWalker]

Brandon, he ate again yesterday! His feeding response was immediate and I think he was crawling around after looking for more! i am going to keep him on the 5 day schedule for now.

Thanks again for your help!

[Brandon Osborne]

Awesome. Just remember to bump up the size of the food as needed. The quicker you get it on mice with fur, the faster and larger it will grow. Don't be afraid to feed more than one food item in a sitting either. Good luck and have fun.

[CWalker]

Just a quick update:

It is eating like a pig now! It has eaten perfectly every week since his first meal and yesterday ate two pinkies. Gonna try to move up to a fuzzy next week (unless he is in shed).

One question - this guy's feeding response is unbelievable now. He is eating live pinkies and almost hit the first one yesterday before I could drop it, which brings me to my question - he hit it so fast that as he swallowed it it was still moving slightly. He had coiled around it and repositioned his head to swallow it head first, but it was not all the way still when he began swallowing it. Can this hurt him? The second one, he constricted perfectly and ate once it was done. I was told that he was on f/t when i got him, but he has refused all attempts except with live.

Thanks for all of the advice!

[Brandon Osborne]

If it is still small, I could see a breeder feeding a couple of frozen thawed, then selling. Sometimes they aren't exactly extablished for the long term and live items may need to be offered a few more times. Feeding live pinks that still wriggle a bit will not hurt them. Their main concern is getting the prey consumed before it gets away. Obviously, larger animals will put up a fight and the snakes usually key in on what animals are going to put up a fight.

I would say if his feeding response continues to be positive, you could try f/t again after 6-10 more feedings. Usually once they hit the fuzzy stage they are good to go. I'm glad to hear he's doing well for you now. Good luck and keep up the good work.