Problem feeder...

[OsirisRa32]

Ok...

I purchases a female pinstripe about 4 months ago (-/+ a month as my memory sucks right now)...she hasnt eaten for me a single time...rats/mice/live/fresh killed/F/T not a single bite, lunge, strike...anything....she was about 1300 grams when she arrived...she is now around 1150 (scale broke so all #s are approx). I tried gently opening her mouth and forcing a fresh killed adult mouse in...I was super gentle...but I guess I am kinda wondering if force feeding is the way to go at this point...if there is something I am missing or any tips/hints/tricks to assist feed...I hate even the idea of assist/force feeding so any help or advice would be much appreciated.

And yes all husbandry is spot on...humidity/cool side/hot side..everything within standard ranges.

[bcr229]

What was she eating for her prior owner?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

It is not unusual for adult to go on fast when changing environment/owner, the solution is not to assist or force feed, this should not be done unless you are starting an hatchling that refuses to eat on is own, or you have an animal in poor condition.

She was 1300 when she arrived (probably on full stomach) therefore she know how to eat so no more assisting or force feeding.

At this size she could fast for a year without issue, what you need to know and understand is that going off feed is OK and the only things that can be done are to examine and fix your husbandry if needed (consider downsizing her enclosure), offer the same type prey that was previously offered by the former owner (different prey type is never a good idea), and most importantly be PATIENT.

[OsirisRa32]

It is not unusual for adult to go on fast when changing environment/owner, the solution is not to assist or force feed, this should not be done unless you are starting an hatchling that refuses to eat on is own, or you have an animal in poor condition.

She was 1300 when she arrived (probably on full stomach) therefore she know how to eat so no more assisting or force feeding.

At this size she could fast for a year without issue, what you need to know and understand is that going off feed is OK and the only things that can be done are to examine and fix your husbandry if needed (consider downsizing her enclosure), offer the same type prey that was previously offered by the former owner (different prey type is never a good idea), and most importantly be PATIENT.

The prey is all exactly the same as the breeder was feeding....She hadnt eaten for a week prior to being shipped...her enclosure is half of a T8 = 2x2 feet and a 1 high...using the black medium reptile basics hides...with medium water bowl and some greenery and wood in there to clutter it up...ambient is 78-82 and hot side is 88-90 (temps vary slightly when sun is shining into my room as its a southern exposure primary window.

Guess its just a waiting game...what happens if i see continued weight loss?

[MonkeyShuttle]

If shes fasting shes saving you money in rodents! you could also try ASF's if you can acquire them

[OsirisRa32]

It is not unusual for adult to go on fast when changing environment/owner, the solution is not to assist or force feed, this should not be done unless you are starting an hatchling that refuses to eat on is own, or you have an animal in poor condition.

She was 1300 when she arrived (probably on full stomach) therefore she know how to eat so no more assisting or force feeding.

At this size she could fast for a year without issue, what you need to know and understand is that going off feed is OK and the only things that can be done are to examine and fix your husbandry if needed (consider downsizing her enclosure), offer the same type prey that was previously offered by the former owner (different prey type is never a good idea), and most importantly be PATIENT.

At what point should I worry? How much weight loss is ok before I need to worry?

[satomi325]

At what point should I worry? How much weight loss is ok before I need to worry?

I would go by eyeballing her body condition and judging by how thin she looks.

Do you have a picture of her and her enclosure?

[OsirisRa32]

I would go by eyeballing her body condition and judging by how thin she looks.

Do you have a picture of her and her enclosure?

no I dont....she looks fine and is in half of a T8...so has 2x2x1 worth of space...shes 1100grams at the moment

[Ladybugzcrunch]

I had an adult male ball that refused to eat for an entire year. I offered every other week a weaned rat but no go. Then one day, out of the blue, he ate that baby rat. Then the next week, he ate again, and again. No rhyme or reason to it. Just leave her alone and be patient. It is not unusual for a ball to go on a several month fast (or even a year). It is very difficult to get an adult to take an assist feed, they will almost always spit it back out. They are fasting because they dont want to eat, not because they do not know how. That is why assist feed works so well for hatchlings.

[J.P.]

the fast could also be due to breeding season...... one of my yearling females just broke her 3 month fast, she was too young for breeding, but she went off feed anyway, just like my breeding females.