Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HI I HAVE A GRANITE BURM AND I HAVE HAD HIM ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND HE HAS ONLY EATIEN 2 MICE FOR ME HE WILL NOT EAT..I HAVE TRIED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PREY ITEMS AND WAYS OF FEEDING HIM BUT HE HAS NO INTEREST.. HE ALSO DOESN'T USE HIS TOUNGE..I DONT SEE HIM FLICK IT AT ALL. HE IS IN A NEODESHA CAGE ITS ABOUT 85 IN THE CAGE AND THE HOT SPOT IS AROUND 92...HE ALSO HAS A HIDE, WATER BOWL AND A BRANCH IN HIS CAGE..IF ANYONE HAS EVER HERD OF A BURM NOT USEING THEIR TOUNGE LET ME KNOW. HE IS GETTING THIN AND I DONT WANT TO FORCE FEED HIM...ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT THANKS GERALD

PS. HAS ANYONE EVER USE AN ORAL SYRINGE TO FEED A SNAKE? THANS

How big is your snake. If it is still relatively small try leaving a rat pup(alive) in the cage. I do not condone live feeding since the prey item can cause harm to the snake but a rat pup can not hurt your snake. Leave it in the cage over night. Usually works if you place it right outside of its hide (while the snake is in the hide). As for the tongue issue, the only time I personally have seen this is when the snake is starting to get a respritory infection. Is it showing any other signs of the infection. Hope this helps and if it is showing signs of an RI get it to a vet. Todd

We took care of an albino burm that did the same thing. He never would flick his toungue. I found I had to warm the food item alot. He required his meal to almost hot before he would take it. He wouldnt touch anything live either. After I got him eating I sent him back to his owner and about 4 months later he just began to use his toungue. We have no idea why he never used it but after figuring out to heat meal up hotter he was fine. Try that to see if it works for you good luck.

Are you sure it has a tongue? It could have been born without one. If it does, it should eat mice, rats or chicks of appropriate size. If it has no tongue I'd contact the seller for replacement or a refund.