Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a hondo last week and it has yet to eat. I have tried twice now. Is this normal? It seems really skittish. I am a corn snake guy that is branching out a little and this snake is giving me a bit of trouble. Set up is good i am pretty sure. 15 qt rubbermaid,82-85 ambient temp. 2 hides, and a large water dish. Am i missing something?

Temps may be a little high but I don't think that would effect feeding too much.

I am assuming that this is a hatchling ... if not you may need some other tips.

Have you tried live pinkies yet? Also I have heard from other people that washing a pinky with unscented soap will help or making a cut into the skull ... frozen/thawed of course! One other thing that I have had good luck with is putting the snake in a deli cup (or some other small container or box) over night with the pinky.

Give him lots of time and quiet to settle into his new home. Only offer 1 meal every 5 days or so and if he doesn't eat for about 4 weeks (assuming he has already) you may need to force feed a couple rat/mice tails.

I know the frustration but try not to worry about it too much. Offering food every single day doesn't help.

You didn't mention the size of the snake. Small snakes do best in small enclosures.

Did you ask the seller what it was eating (live or frozen/thawed, mice or rats)? Hondurans sometimes have a preference.

Are you trying to "cup feed" it?

I've noticed that baby hondos will sometimes start feeding and then stop for a couple weeks in the Fall before resuming feeding.

Tim

Third Eye

It is a hatchling. I have tried the deli cup method twice now to no avail. She did mouth it for a moment but then let go. I have been tryinb f/t but she could have very well been feeding on live. She is in a 15qt rubbermaid. Is that to big? I can drop her to a 6 quart i guess?

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP.

Here she is..

Keep her in something the size of a shoebox.
Leave her alone for 5 days.
Then put her in a deli cup in the evening
with a pinky and leave her undisturbed overnight.

Tim

I think leaving it alone may defintiely be the key. If it grabbed the mouse and let go obviously you were there watching the snake. They can easily be spooked and drop their food if you are around.

A friend of mine recently told me to not even walk near the tank for a couple days then leave a mouse overnight.