Should I put my male in with my female in an attempt to kick her into feeding ?

[speedycat222]

He's 650g she's 1860g about 4-5 foot, not really sure on her length. She's a sporadic feeder, so I'm hoping to put him in for a couple days or until they lock (if they lock) in an attempt to get her to feed. He shed about 2 weeks ago so I won't be able to get a shed off him to put in instead of him.

My worry here is that she hasn't been consistently eating in around 5 months. I obviously don't want to pair her if there's any risk to her health. I plan on giving the male another 2 weeks - 1 month to bulk up a bit more, he's a ferocious eater and has grown like a weed in the past couple months. His lay day was September 8, 2013 and hatch date was November 2, 2013. So he'll be a year old in a couple of days.


I also do want eggs and will be prepared if she becomes gravid.

[dr del]

As long as you are prepared for any possible clutches etc then you can try it.

There are a few things I would try regarding her enclosure and food items first mind you. I'd also double check her sex if this is her first breeding season with you.

[speedycat222]

She's a proven breeder. I've tried mice, she'd eat them. I tried scenting the tub with rodent aspen, got her to eat a live small rat followed by a f/t wean rat. And most recently, she was completely indifferent to a live mouse. I've also tried defrosting a mouse with the rat, cracking the brain cavity open and smearing the goo onto the rat. She seems to just be picky for mice, I'm hoping she'll respond to scenting the tub again if I put the male in.


As far as the enclosure, when I first got her she was put in a 36x18 glass cage for about a month, denied two med. rats. She was then placed into a 28qt tub in my rack where she's been ever since. I've tried giving her a hide, she used it a bit but it didn't really seem to help. For my next feeding attempt in a week or so, I'm going to scent the tub and put in the hide.

The ambient room temp is 75ish, humidity is about 50-60%, I don't mist often. Hotspot is 89-92, heat tape on a herpstat. Is there any other advice you can give me now that you better understand the situation ?

[dr del]

Hmmm,

She sounds similar to my pied female - she's fussy about rats as well.

In the end I fed her multiple mice until she started refusing the second one then I started feeding her day old chicks as she will consistently eat three at a time.

Things I'd try;

Raising the cool end temps to about 80f.
Misting gently about an hour before offering.
Defrosting close to her tub so she knows food is about to be offered.
Upping the temp of the head of any F/T and doing the zombie dance with it.
Changing her substrate.
Offering later at night.

Can anyone think of anything else?

[carlisleishere]

I raised my snakes humidity a bit and it started eating again after a 10 month fast.

[PitOnTheProwl]

At 1800+ I personally wouldnt worry about her eating unless there is major weight loss.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Yes I would pair her to see if it triggers her appetite.

[speedycat222]

She's lost maybe 20g in the past 2 months. Thank you.

[speedycat222]

I'm going to switch her to aspen at some point as I've heard that thrown around a lot. I'll incorporate the rest of your tricks in one at a time so I know which one works for her. Do you think it would be worth trying to find her an ASF rat ?

[speedycat222]

Yes I would pair her to see if it triggers her appetite.

Okay great, thanks. I'll pop him in on November 15th.