Thank you for taking the time to reply in such a detailed manor. Obviously PTS isn't something that I want but also the welfare of my snake is paramount.
Let cover the items you raised.
Climate Control :
Buzz is housed in a 90 cm (L) X 40 cm (W) x 30 cm (H) glass tank. Facing the tank the warm end is to the left and has 2 heating sources. The first is a heating matt which is secured to the bottom (underside of the the tank) with the probe in-between the tank bottom and the matt. I use an infrared thermometer to set the temperature to 30 degrees, the point of this recording is the bottom of the glass tank where his warm hide is. The second heat source is a heating lamp which is suspended over the warm side (this is in-front rather than over his warm hide). The lamp uses a dimmer thermostat (to avoid blowing the bulb), i use the infrared thermometer to set the temp to 30 degrees. He has a warm hide which is best described as "snug" in-fact its a little too small but this is his preferred hide. There is a hollow log running the length of the tank at the back, which he uses in-frequently but he has been heard moving up and down his log to regulating his temp. He also has a cool hide, which is also "Snug" The temp on the cool side is 23/24 degrees. There is also a water bowl in his tank but i've never seen him being interested in this.
His tank is kept in my office. Generally this is used from 8am-6pm Mon-Fri. Other than than the room is not used and the light is off and buzz is left to his own (nothing to disturb him), I might check on him before securing the house for the night. This is the quietest room in the house.
I generally feed him on an evening when he is most active. I'll place the mouse/rat nr his heat lamb (depending on size) about an hr before feeding. When I enter the room there is a nice strong rodent smell ( strong enough for a human , so buzz will have no problem knowing its feeding time). 9/10 he is out and active at this point, if he isn't active then I leave him alone. I will then normally give the mouse/rat a blast with a hairdryer, as i have discovered that he prefers his food on the hot side. I have tried during the day but he wasn't interested.
When he has fed, his is a very strong feeder. He has previously struck out as soon as the door is open and has detected movement. When he was feeding his food was taken within 30 seconds of it being presented to him. Now he knows its there and will approach the food and get within CMs , but no strike. I will try again ( after heating the mouse / rat again with the hairdryer) , 3 maybe 4 times before you can see he has has enough. At this point I leave the food in the cage overnight. He has never taken food off the floor of his cage, and never taken multiple food items. Its a quick strike , swallow , and back to his warm hide ASAP.
I was worried that it was me that was putting him off so my wife also tried to fed him and nothing. He gets soo close but then nothing. Generally if you wiggle or try to provoke a strike his will move away.
The vet was hoping that tube feeding him would kick start his feeding , but this didn't happen. To avoid any unnecessary stress I haven't been holding him and he didn't take well to being tube fed.
He need to be fed again this weekend , its 2 weeks since I last tried so I'll take you tips into consideration.
Help or even a second set of eyes to spot any stupid mistakes are always appreciated.
Alf
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