My non-eating little guy

[RWillinnable]

OK, it has only been a week and I am not really stressing out. I tried a week ago with a mouse and he had no interest. I even tried killing the mouse myself to see if he would do the pre-killed thing (unfortunately San Francisco does not allow an animal to be killed in a pet store) and he didn't have any interest and I decided that that was the last time we try pre-killed. (I cried for like a minute afterwards. )

My question is what should I do while he is fasting? How often should I offer him food? I know he could go 9 months without feeding as long as he doesn't lose too much weight. But what do I do between now and then? Do I buy a mouse once a week and if he doesn't eat it take it out? And what do I do with that stupid mouse? Let it go? Keep it as a pet? Should I take this opportunity to try to get him on f/t? Just keep on giving him them until he takes them? Just looking for some ideas.

Rachel

[Shelby]

Well, if he's eating adult mice, just keep the mouse around and toss it in the tank once a week until the darn snake eats.

[TekWarren]

You might try skipping a week of no food item interaction then reintroducing a f/t or pre-killed (its part of keeping reptiles...you can do it) to the snake in a confined enclosure such as a small covered tub...or some people have used paper bags. I would personally suggest a small tub in the evening covered so no light reaches inside. This has worked for me so many times in the past, most recently with a tiny hatchling children's python.

[Danielle(THM)]

I know the first month I had my Ball she didn't eat, until I put her in a box with a warm f/t pinkie, works wonders when you're not watching, but never do it with live prey. Try the once a week food offerings, eventually when s/he gets hungry, then it'll eat.

[kavmon]

in addition to the above make sure your husbandry is correct (temps,humidity,hides) is the snake due for a shed?


vaughn