Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My new female Sarawak has not eaten yet. I have had her for about 4 weeks now. When I open the top of her tank she gets sooooo defensive that she won't eat. I tried room temp F/T, fresh killed, warmed F/T and live. She will strike everytime it comes near her but only defensively. I have tried inside her enclosure and in a feed box. Same results. Lots of defensive stikes and 0 feeding. Any suggestions. I think my next attempt will be to put in a live rat fuzzy when she is in her water bowl so she can take her time to come out and get it when she wants. Any ideas or what has worked for you in a similar situation would be great. Thanks!
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1.1 Colombian Boas
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Dumeril's Boas
1.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons
1.1 Sarawak Blood Pythons
2.0 German Shepherds

have you tried mice? a lot of snakes when young dont really care for or are intimidated by rats. also, did you give the snake time to get used to it's enclosure(7-10 days)? also, you may want to try feeding it a f/t or p/k fuzzy at night (since snakes are nocturnal) and leaving him/her alone. wait a week after the last failed attempt and then do the above mentioned. put the mouse in and turn off the light and leave the room or go to bed. also, sometimes noise levels can be a factor. if youve got the stereo blasting, the xbox blaring from the tv, or your banging away on the drums, then that could be a reason why it isnt eating. one more thing: check your temps. they should be mid to high 80's (F) and about 60% humidity. if you havent gotten it a hide or suitable substrate to bury itself in, then do so. dont stick your head up to the tank and tap on the side when you look in on it. Dont let your dog or cat play with the snake. Do not put a leash on your snake and try to take it for a walk. Snakes are not to be used as replacement dipsticks! Snakes cannot be used to stir cake batter. Do not feed your snake in April while dressed up as the Easter Bunny. Snakes do not make good radio antennas.Snakes are not to be taken on test flights in a R/C plane. (okay, Im just bsing here...too much time on my hands).
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
1.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)
0.1 Roommate (sigh...okay, she has a corn snake)

Just about everything pythonis said was right on the money except the part about not being able to use your snake as a dipstick to check the oil....Hmmmm worked for me everytime.I think a tighfitting HIDEBOX or deep SUBSTRATE is essential for bloods so that they can feel comfortable enough to eat.Of course heat and humidity are just as important.
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Ashley Lopez's Black Forest Constrictors.
blackforestconstrictors@gmail.com
website

almost forgot. snakes are also not to be used to probe the ground in a minefield.
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
1.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)
0.1 Roommate (sigh...okay, she has a corn snake)

What are you using for substrate and what are you using for caging?4 weeks isn't that bad yet, but I'd try a mouse hopper, seems like the Garby kids like the hoppers,but if they are yearlings maybe a small mouse.Make sure you have two hides one on each side of the tank and a water bowl in the middle.Also I'd ask what they were feeding on before you got them.And don't leave the live mouse in there over night, I had an aggresive mouse one time take a few nips.Good luck.

I am using the coconut husk, brick stuff. I tried both a live mouse and a prekilled one. I let her sit for about 3 weeks before trying to feed her. Warm end of tank is 82, cool side is about 78. There are lots of hiding spots. I tried again today. She wasn't as defensive, just didn't want it. I will let her sit again for another few days then try a F/T mouse. Bob was feeding them live rat fuzzies and mice, he said he also fed them F/T a few times. I have been keeping snakes for over 15 yrs now. I was a professional zookeeper for 6 years. Not like I am new at this, but the bloods I had at work were voracious feeders so I was just wondering if anybody had any special tricks for them.
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1.1 Colombian Boas
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Dumeril's Boas
1.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons
1.1 Sarawak Blood Pythons
2.0 German Shepherds

Maybe try some of the mulch ground cover.They like to bury themselves into it.Can't think of anything else except maybe bring up the hot side a little more and maybe run the humidity to 75%.If its getting close to shed time sometimes they will shut down but I'm sure you know when they start to turn blue.I'm sure she'll come around , keep us posted.

How long are you leaving the pray item alone with the snake? If the snake is defesive striking, there probably wouldn't be a problem leaving a just weaned hopper mouse or rat pup in all night with the snake.
Is the snake wild caught?
How big is it?
If captive what was it feeding on before?
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Jesse Jeffcoat
Gopher Hill Herps

I just had a pair of young bloods break a fairly long hunger strike (about 6-8 weeks) what finally worked was just making as little noise as possible while I was in the cage and laying a p/k rat pup right in front of where they were hiding, then turning off the lights and leaving the room for a good couple of hours. The biggest thing is to be patient, they eventually come around.
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1.1 Red Bloods (Cartman and Bebe)
0.1 Boa Constrictor (Victoria)
0.1 Albino Burm (Butters)
0.0.1 Desert King (Miles)

Your delimma is a tough one...but, you know that. I can't think of a "trick" specific to bloods and anorexia. You mention rats and mice...I thinks its good to try both; and tap the breeder for ideas, inasmuch as the animal ate for him. And best of luck to you. We all know how miserable it is to have an otherwise healthy snake that refuses to eat.