I'm in over my head

[MelanieS]

Update and opinions needed..

Since you all know a bit of the history, I need your opinions.

We've had this snake 3 weeks, it's been 2.5 weeks since she laid her eggs. The eggs died in the incubator, got black moldy then shriveled up. The guy i bought her from told me she ate the week before I got her, but I do not believe him. He is dishonest. I have no idea how long it has been since she has had a meal.

I finished her abx shots. And have tried to feed her twice and she refuses. Lets the rat crawl all over her and just retreats. (one of my daughters now has a pet mouse, sigh). She seems to be losing weight, the creases when she is balled seems looser and bunchy, if that makes sense at all. My daughter will be devastated if she dies, and I've got a lot of money in her already. I would take her back to the vet if that is absolutely necessary, but if it's not needed I'd rather not. I don't want her to die

The warm side of her cage is 88 degrees, the cooler side is about 75-80. Humidity is at 60%. She has a hide that she stays in most of the time and we have not been handling her.

What advice do you have for me?

[Peoples]

First let me say welcome and I applaud your dedication to this defenseless creature.

Here's something a little weird but may work:

1. If it's sunny outside, take her out for about 30 mins
2. While she's out, place the prey in her hide... ensure it stays there
3. Put her back in the enclosure and cover the enclosure with a towel to make the entire enclosure dark
4. Check every 3 mins to see if she ate the prey.

Don't leave the prey in for more than an hour, if she doesn't take it just try again in 2 days.
You can always skip step one (1) and just do steps 2-4.

Just one last question... Was it a rat or a mouse ?.....

[MelanieS]

I tried both a mouse and a small rat . We le my daughter keep the mouse because it was really friendly and she fell in love with it. She carries it around in her pocket and it runs up her hand when she wants to get it out. I killed the small rat and its in my freezer. Shoul I try the frozen one or buy a new live one? Which size do you recommend? The vet told me small rat, but that was before it decided it was going to starve itself to death.

First let me say welcome and I applaud your dedication to this defenseless creature.

Here's something a little weird but may work:

1. If it's sunny outside, take her out for about 30 mins
2. While she's out, place the prey in her hide... ensure it stays there
3. Put her back in the enclosure and cover the enclosure with a towel to make the entire enclosure dark
4. Check every 3 mins to see if she ate the prey.

Don't leave the prey in for more than an hour, if she doesn't take it just try again in 2 days.
You can always skip step one (1) and just do steps 2-4.

Just one last question... Was it a rat or a mouse ?.....