Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had a young Blue Beauty for about 3 months now, it is about 6-8 months old CB. When I bought it from the shop they told me it was feeding fine. After five weeks it still will not eat. So far I have tried fluffs, small mice and rat pups both defrosted warm and hot, stomachs split, brained even done the dead mouse dance. last night tried the ratpup and fuzzy in a bag with the snake still nothing.Ayone have any ideas where to go from here as I have tried everything that I know.
Temps 85F day 78F night. Humidity 75-80%
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1:2.. Pituophis catenifer (melanoleucus) sayi (Bull Snake)
0.1.. Boiga Cyanea
1:1.. Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Silver Phase)
0:1.. Eryx miliaris nogaiorum
1:1:1. Elaphe o. obsoleta (liquorice stick or white sided rat snakes)
0:1.. Eryx jaculus
1:1.. Lampropeltis pyromelana woodini (Huachuca Mountain Kingsnake)
1:2.. Elaphe bimaculata (Twin-spotted Rat Snake)
0:1.. Elaphe sauromates
2:2.. Candoia carinata paulsoni (Soloman Island ground Boas)
2:0.. Calabaria reinhardtii
Lizards
1:0..Tupinambis teguixin ssp. (Golden Tegu)
0:1..Uromastyx acanthinurus
1:1..Pogona henrylawsonii [brevis] (Rankins Dragons)
Arachnid’s
Pterinochilus murinus
Kilimanjaro Sootyback
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Are all of these food items dead? I couldn't tell if the bagged items were pre-killed. I have several Taiwans and a pair of Blues and mostly they're not picky about about food, but my female Blue and one of my Taiwans will only eat live prey - no execeptions.

Another possibility: has it been chilled or exposed to cold? They can hibernate and sometimes refuse food for this reason. Right now my Taiwans and Beauties are in a 56F basement awaiting Spring feeding and breeding.

Be patient. It'll come around eventually.

-Chernobogg

Forgot to mention something - 85F is too high. Mine stress at that temperature and actually get something like an upper respiratory infection (blowing bubbles) if they are kept too hot for too long. This group of snakes does much better at a lower temperature like the one you use for nighttime (78F). I've never been able to confirm this but I suspect that they are from high mountainous regions and have a greater appreciation for cooler weather than even our own native Ratsnakes and Racers. Ask Colubridman (Randy) for help. He has an awesome pair of Blues and he might have a different experience to share.

Sorry if I ramble but I've had a long day (22 hours and counting). Hope this is helpful.

-Chernobogg

The prey items were defrost. I have now taken the temps down to 78 f now. Hope that makes a difference.
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********************************************************************
1:2.. Pituophis catenifer (melanoleucus) sayi (Bull Snake)
0.1.. Boiga Cyanea
1:1.. Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Silver Phase)
0:1.. Eryx miliaris nogaiorum
1:1:1. Elaphe o. obsoleta (liquorice stick or white sided rat snakes)
0:1.. Eryx jaculus
1:1.. Lampropeltis pyromelana woodini (Huachuca Mountain Kingsnake)
1:2.. Elaphe bimaculata (Twin-spotted Rat Snake)
0:1.. Elaphe sauromates
2:2.. Candoia carinata paulsoni (Soloman Island ground Boas)
2:0.. Calabaria reinhardtii
Lizards
1:0..Tupinambis teguixin ssp. (Golden Tegu)
0:1..Uromastyx acanthinurus
1:1..Pogona henrylawsonii [brevis] (Rankins Dragons)
Arachnid’s
Pterinochilus murinus
Kilimanjaro Sootyback
********************************************************************

Actually, I would think you could use a wider choice of temps. I know that's hard to do most of the time, but it would probably help. At this time my Herp Room temps are 68-78*F, depending on time of day, and I sometimes use extra heat. I don't have blue beauties, but do have Chinese beauties, and they are feeding at these temps after a fairly long brumation. I don't think your temps are that far off, but the fasting could have to do with other maintenance problems. Do you know how the previous owner kept the snake? If temps were really high, the snake may be taking a metabolic rest at this time. It might need time to adjust.

Good luck...TC

my blue beauty is 6 months old now too and she has always refused f/t. i just never got her to switch over but she eats live all the time with no problems also she never eats when she is in blue phase or going to shed, and it does sound like your temp is a lil high