Another non-Eater

[Rije682]

I bought a 1100g het clown female back in October. The breeder I bought her from said she would only eat mice, so I went to the pet store and bought her a couple mice. That was the first and only time she ever ate for me. I have offered her mice, asf's, and a young rat. She will show interest but once she gets close enough to strike she ignores the prey completely. I've tried everything I can think of from covering her tub, feeding her in a smaller tub, feeding her smaller prey, fresh killing her prey and she just refuses to eat anything. I contacted her previous owner and he had no words of wisdom for you. Anyone here have any ideas?

[A.VinczeBPs]

Have you tried leaving one in overnight? I'm assume he said live mice right? You've tried both live, prekilled and F/T or only prekill?

In winter they tend to go off feed, although this is more common with males, and ovulating females, others may go off as well.

Has she lost too much weight? Maybe the guy tried to breed her already and it set her off feed (not healthy, but you'd be amazed what people will do).

[Rije682]

I have not tried F/T. She hasn't lost any weight since I've had her its just really fusterating for me to have all of my other snakes eat except for her.

[BallPython17]

Like the other poster said. The guy tried to breed her, or she's just one of those females who will go off feed during winter/breeding season. Just be patient. If she ate before, she will definantely start eating again when the seasons over. Just don't try to feed her this week or next week then throw a mouse in there the following week. She should take it.

[Rije682]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll try that.

[greghall]

thats what they do. off feed could be 6 months or more. I have a female albino thats been off since december.

[Rije682]

She ate! I've gotten her to eat twice now, she's had two weaned rats. Thanks for helping out guys.