Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey All,

Since the only Colubrids I still keep are Tiger Rats (no problem feeders here!) I rarely visit this Forum. I volunteered to broker a nice collection of Pyros for a friend and inherited a problem:

There is one yearling Applegate Pyro that has NEVER fed voluntarily!! Amazing but true. It has existed solely on force-fed mouse tails its entire (short) life! I've never encountered anything like this before. Over the years I've bred Pyros, Zonatas, and Thayeri and have NEVER had a situation such as this. I've tried my old reliables, scenting, split-braining pinks, etc. but nada!

This is a breathtakingly beautiful snake that comes paired w/a similarly stunning het-Applegate that I might be tempted to buy myself if I can get this snake to "turn on". I don't feel comfortable selling it "as is".

Any tricks or quirky methods out there for me to try??

Bill

Try lizard scenting a pinkie. The best lizards are from the genus sceloporous, which make up much of the natural diet of pyros. Wash the pinkie to try to remove the mouse scent, then rub the pinkie with the lizard. I used to cut the tail from the lizard and wipe the blood on the pinkie. Make sure that you leave the room and turn off the lights, it sometimes helps.

FR will probably tell you that your husbandry conditions are all wrong and that he's never had a problem feeder in his life, so I would look at that! Is your snake getting the right range of temps, the right range of humidity, good places to hide??

Remember, I "inherited" this snake. When I picked them up I felt they were being kept too cool so they've been "ramped" up a bit in temps. I'm going to try the Uta-scenting in a couple of weeks after I'm sure its good and hungry.

Bill

I agree with Kingaz. Try scenting with spiny fence lizards (sceloporous). Mike Bodner......Chris' Colubrids

Chris' Colubrids

Are we feeling a little insecure today? I have to wonder why you would include me at all. Then to assume what I would say is rather presumptuous, don't you think. Why not simply state your opinion and leave me with mine? Thanks

np

Of course that was predictable, its only common sense. You should speak for yourself and let me, do my own talking. How simple is that. Its only common courtesy.

The real point is, your second paragraph, offered nothing of help or about the subject, you seen to be whining for some odd needless reason. Go back and read your post and see. You did not need that second paragraph, you did not need to mention me at all. Cheers

Have you tried lizards for scenting?Sometimes a skink will work when others fail.In my area that would be five-lined. jeff

I just had that problem with my zonata. he didnt eat for 4 months. I tried everything(at least i thought) i tried scenting, split brain, lizard tails, bird eggs, regular pinkies...NOTHING all the pinkies were alive including the split brain. I called my friend asking what else is there to try and he said try a f/t pinkie *SHOCK* the only think i didnt try worked! So now he has a lump in him and we are all happy.

There is something about the scent of a F/T pink. Another trick is to try assisted feeding. Pry open the mouth with the head of a dead pink. Typically the snake will move its jaws to bite down on it then back off. Do it a few times and some snakes will take the whole pink right in your hands. It is as if they do not recognize the scent of the pink but do like the taste once it is in their mouths.

Another trick is to try hamster pinks.
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Rick Staub