Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I posted earlier that I have a small 12" Blood Python that hasnt eaten since I bought it. Anyway its been over a month I have him in a very humid and warm tank, fresh water, aspen bedding, etc, and he still has not eaten. Hes loosing all his mass, extremely rinkled, but his temperment is good. Ive tried feeding him live and frozen both small mice and fuzzies, but nothings worked. Anyway is there anyway I can stimulate his eating or anywhere I could take him because he appears to be in terrible shape? I dont really have money for a vet trip so if anyone could help w/ some advice that would be great.

You could try rat pups instead of mice, the different smell might trigger it to eat. Also, if you are feeding pre-killed or frozen, you might try cutting the mouse/rat as the scent of blood might trigger the blood to eat. Another thing that i've noticed with my SST is that he is more inclined to eat with the lights turned out, i think the darkness triggers them to go into hunting mode. I've also heard with other snakes, that sometimes people will scent the food with water from a tuna fish can? and this will sometimes work, so if nothing else will get it to eat i would try that. Good luck!
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1.0 Normal Cornsnake
1.0 Sumatran Short Tail Python

i'd put a rat pup in there at 11 p.m. and then leave the room. the smallest amount of traffic can startle these animals.
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www.redpython.net

I am very sorry for you and your baby blood...I think we have had animals that just fail to thrive. Its very upsetting when that occours after you done everything you can think of and still no progress.
I looked up your old post (3-12). At that time you described an animal that wasn't looking or acting too good, but you took the advice offered presumably, however still no good. The wrinkled skin and reduced body mass are not good signs. He may have a "stuck shed"(we don't know what you do or do not know, of course), be dehydrated, or both. That you can't afford a trip to the Vet is a reality, but that really puts you and the python in dire straits.
I'm not sure what other advise to offer you; maybe some the others have additional thoughts...long soaks in tepid water may help with the skin/dehydration.
It the animal does not turn a corner real soon, you may need to consider putting him down.
BTW, none of this is your fault...it seems plenty evident that the pet store sold you a heartache. Hang in there. God speed.

get a hopper rat,,after you thaw it out stick a needle in its head and pull it out,,the brain triggers a reaction,,,heat the rat in front of a heater for a few minutes,,dangle the rat in front of his face with tongs or something he will take it!!!

My blood was a problem feeder when I first got her. I got one of those plastic pet carriers and put her in it on a paper towel. Put the pet carrier in her cage, then left her with a mouse or rat pup. I went as far as covering the pet carrier with paper towels so that she couldn't see anything outside of her cage. Leave her for the night. I would probably try to feed during the early afternoon, leave a live rat pup in with her. The rat pup can stay alive for up to two or three days, and is too small to do any damage. I would be careful leaving her with a live mouse. This worked for me, and this method has worked with other problem feeders, from rat snakes to JCP's. Good luck, Eric-

i would say use all the advice people have given....its worth tryin the brain method and i used it my last time feedin my blood....and left it in my dark closet for a while...usually it grabs the rat and then guards it if im in the same room...so deff try given it privacy.
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0.0.1 Borneo Blood Python--(lucifer)
0.0.1 IJ Carpet Python--(spike)
0.0.1 Colombian Boa--(vlad the impailer)
0.0.1 Ball Python--(Ghengiz Khan)
0.0.1 Aru Green Tree Python--(hannibal)
0.0.1 Biak Green Tree Python
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula
0.1.0 2 year old boxer--(Diamond)

as I have stated before, try tapping the tail of the blood with the feeder. This usually gets a feeding response from the blood. I also have one blood that will not eat unless a towel or blanket is covering the container, the lights are out, and nobody is in the room. Also, Ive found that snakes generally take to being fed more around evening time (when the streetlights come on as people used to say). good luck with whatever you decide.
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Black Blood Python (normal)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)

that actually doesnt work for my blood...i put it right up to its mouth and wiggle the food and usually it grabs it no problem....mine gets shy after constriction...if im in the room after that it just sits over the rat...so i put it in my closet and leave for a while
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0.0.1 Borneo Blood Python--(lucifer)
0.0.1 IJ Carpet Python--(spike)
0.0.1 Colombian Boa--(vlad the impailer)
0.0.1 Ball Python--(Ghengiz Khan)
0.0.1 Aru Green Tree Python--(hannibal)
0.0.1 Biak Green Tree Python
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula
0.1.0 2 year old boxer--(Diamond)

I haven't been on this site much lately, so I missed a lot of the earlier discussion. I had a female blood baby that had never eaten and I tried every suggestion I was given with no luck. When she got to the point of skin folds hanging off her sides and I'd pretty much given up, I ended up doing assist feeding. Once I got the food started, she would finish swallowing. After a couple months she started taking food on her own. She's now over 20 pounds and about 5 1/2 ft and eats anything put in her cage. I guess it's something you can try as a last resort...

>>that actually doesnt work for my blood...i put it right up to its mouth and wiggle the food and usually it grabs it no problem....mine gets shy after constriction...if im in the room after that it just sits over the rat...so i put it in my closet and leave for a while
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>>0.0.1 Borneo Blood Python--(lucifer)
>>0.0.1 IJ Carpet Python--(spike)
>>0.0.1 Colombian Boa--(vlad the impailer)
>>0.0.1 Ball Python--(Ghengiz Khan)
>>0.0.1 Aru Green Tree Python--(hannibal)
>>0.0.1 Biak Green Tree Python
>>0.0.1 rose hair tarantula
>>0.1.0 2 year old boxer--(Diamond)