Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I'm not a novice here, but this one darn snake has me at my wit's end! I've had her for 4 mos. and she hasn't fed yet! I have a couple of timid feeders that take some cajoling and some that are hard chargers but this one shies away from ALL prey items: small live rats/mice, thawed (and superheated) small rats and mice -NADA! She "hunts" every night but ANY movement whether from a live or tong-presented rodent prompts and immediate retraction into a defensive coil.

The ONLY thing I can think of is that she's in a custom all acrylic cage- crystal clear - with a water drawer for the bottom. Temps are averaging 81F-83F with humidity static at 70% for a high down to 45% by morning. Could she feel exposed and vulnerable in this clear cage? This is an import and came from KCRD. The snake is flawless and is just now showing a slight decline in body weight.

Suggestions/insights?

Bill

I use a fairly passive method, depending on size of animal, use a proper size rodent, preferably a high strung little bugger.
Next I usually drop the heat to at least 73-4 to create a bigger heat differance between air and prey.
lastly if all else fails use russian dwarf hamseters, they have a higer BMR (body temp) and tend to smell a little stinkier.

Dont get frustrated you will only make it worse, I have had animals that wouldent eat on their own for years then bam started like gang busters. Its all part of the "Emerald" keepers set of headachs.

Joeb

ps it also never hurts to stand on one foot, hop up and down, singing only in my dreams by debbie gibson?

HaHa! Thanks for the insightful comments - I'll cover her up tonight and see. As far as Debbie Gibson goes...dating yourself a bit don't ya' think? "Course, so am I as I actually know who she is. I'm thinking if I do the "Gibson Dance" I'll be posting in a week griping about regurge! LOL

Thanks to Karen as well.

Bill

We had a couple of WC males that were shy feeders like that and were kept in acrylic cages. What we ended up doing was completely covering the cage with newspaper or towels except for about a 6-8" square area up at the top for a couple of days then put in a live mouse/rat early in the evening before it started to get dark. I don't remember if it took more than 1 evening's try, but both males eventually did eat. I think we had to do that for several feedings, but then they both started to eat without the cage being covered. Don't peek until the next morning though.
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Karen Clark
Gems of the Rainforest

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Karen Clark
Gems of the Rainforest