When we first got him, he ate live mice; he got bit once or twice and wouldn't eat, so we fed him dead mice. It's been going fine until about 5 months ago, when he went a while without food a few times. For more than 3 months now, he won't eat! We're practically raising mice in his tank! What are we doing wrong, and what do I do??
2007-01-09 13:34:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
He's about 2 years old; over 4 foot. We've gone up to adult mice, but we've gone lower to hoppers, now fuzzies. He attacked one this time, but released without even hurting it. We've tried to warm him; bought a heating lamp and a heating pad. Maybe it's time to get better ones because I don't think they're working. How long do you think he'll have to live? He'll eat before dying, right? Anyway, we've given him fresh dead mice, and they sat there til they rot, so right now we're giving him live mice.... This is stressing me out.
2007-01-09 14:01:07 · update #1
First, don't feed live mice. It's not good for the snake. In the wild, a snake can run away. In captivity, there is no escape. Having mice running around in the enclosure will stress your snake out completely. Feed frozen/thawed, or freshly euthanized mice.
It could just be that your snake is in brumation mode. Many snakes go off food for the winter as a type of hibernation (brumation) until early spring, especially if they are wild-caught, or breeders.
If you want your snake to eat, try elevating the temp. of the enclosure slightly. If the temp. is at the lower end of the scale, the snake may be more likely to brumate, as they do so in the cooler temperatures.
You could also try dangling the mouse with a pair of tongs (do not use your hands or you will likely be bitten).
If these don't work, you may just have to wait until early spring.
2007-01-09 13:45:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As said before your snake is probably trying to brumate. They often go off food in the winter months regardless of the temps you keep the cage in. A few months isn't very long for a snake to go without food. But you could also take him to a vet just to make sure he doesn't have any medical problems causing him to not eat. Also stick to the prekilled mice. Don't go back to live. If the snake was doing fine on prekilled he should be fine with it when his appetite comes back.
2007-01-09 13:53:00 · answer #2 · answered by Boober Fraggle 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NEVER LEAVE MICE IN HIS CAGE FOR MORE THAN 20 MINS!!! Try getting smaller live mice to spark his interest, also make sure you aren't bothering him while he is with the mouse. My King wouldn't eat even if the lighting in his feeding bag changed. don't walk near the bag don't touch it or anything. Every once in a while, just peek in to check on him. Good Luck! Hope this helps!!!
2007-01-09 13:44:30 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
remeber the rule: once you start feeding live prey to your snake it won't eat pre-killed ones anymore. but if you have no choice but dead prey don't try to feed it for about a week or two then try the dead prey by shaking the prey in front of him with twizzlers so he thinks it's live then eventually you can make him get used to dead prey, but it needs time. you can't switch to dead at once.
2007-01-09 14:32:29 · answer #4 · answered by TimTim 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if he is too cool he will not eat. snakes need heat for digestion.
hope that is helpfull
2007-01-09 13:45:10 · answer #5 · answered by Deana G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he's waiting for you to deep-fry them??
2007-01-09 13:38:51 · answer #6 · answered by Amy N 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry; I was a big mean head! Hope you'll forgive me!
2007-01-10 13:14:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋