Why does she do this?

[moespeaking]

Everytime I throw some live food for my ball she always becomes alert and starts to hunt. But lately shes alert but never actualy eats the prey. Today I threw a mouse in and she struck it, the mouse got away all bloodied up, but then she just gave up and went back to sleep under her log. I can understand maybe shes just not hungry, but the instant there's food in the tank she turns into hunt mode.

[JLC]

Maybe its not a hunger issue that is alerting her...but an intrusion issue. She may not be hungry, but may also not want some strange animal in her enclosure...so when she smells it, she goes looking for it and tries to drive it off.


I'd hold off on trying again for two weeks or so...and in the meantime, see if you can figure out if something in her environment is causing her to not want to eat.

[daniel1983]

Are you prescenting before feeding?

[moespeaking]

usually dont prescent, enviroment wise all is good. I am treating her for a slight RI but the treatment is almost over and she seems just about better.

[kavmon]

don't worry about feeding! get the RI treated and done. there's plenty of time for food!



vaughn

[moespeaking]

I wasnt too worried about feeding but the vet said continue normal feeding schedule. She fasted from november to mid january and since then shes eaten 7 mice. Only one in the last month, before the fast she was eating good size rats, and now she wont touch rats only mice. Shes about 33 inches and 575 grams. From april to november 06' she went from 125 to 500 grams. But from november to current shes only put on 75 grams. Does all this sound normal and healthy to you guys? despite the RI.

[SarahMB]

Well, to be honest, I would be concerned with why she has the RI. When you say your temps are good, what exactly do you mean? More information about your setup would help everyone help you figure out what's going on

[moespeaking]

temps are 92 hot side and 82 on the cool side, before she got the ri they were 73 on cool side and 85 on the hot side. The vet said even keeping her at these temps shouldnt of brought on the RI. The humidity is probably what brought it on, as the winter humidity was only 30%. She always has her humid hide but its up to her to go in it. Next winter im going to enclose most of the cage to keep the humidity up. The humidity level now is at 45-55%, and she still has the humid hide.

[SarahMB]

From what I've heard, those low temps would have been a good reason to develope an RI. I don't actually have experience with that, so I'm just repeating what I've heard, mind.
Since your temps and humidity look good now, I would be inclined to think that just the treatments are keeping the snake stressed. From your description, I'm guessing you have more than one hide in the enclosure, is that right?
You could try crumpling some newspaper up and tossing it in, for added security. I had a small ball that had some issues, that seemed to help her feel more secure. Other than that, I think a couple of weeks after you have completed treating for the RI (and with NO handling), the snake should settle in and start eating for you.

[moespeaking]

Yea she has her two hides as well as a seperate humid hide and a large water dish. I do give her a shot every third day so I know for fact that stresses the hell out of her.