Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I recently purchased a baby female Carpet Python and when I got her home I gave her a week to settle in and then fed her a pinkie. She hesitated but eventually took it. The week after same thing. now it has been about 1 month and she will not eat. I tried live baby mouse, she killed it and left it. I tried braining a dead one, nothing. I tried scenting it with a lizard, still nothing. Anyone have any Ideas. If it was large python I wouldn't worry so much but she is a baby and I don't really want her to go much longer without food..

Thanks Richard

One month since she's eaten or 2 weeks? One month total time u've had her. Even with a small snake I wouldn't be worried in 2 weeks. Try a fuzzy mouse for one thing.
-John

It has been about 1 month since she last ate. I have had her for about 2 months now.

Try a fuzzy first off... may as well brain it too. Wiggle it around on forceps to see if u can get her to take it. If just not interested, push it in the hide she's in (if in one) and leave it overnight. If that is a no go, try putting her in a inside out pillow case with a brained fuzzy on cool side of cage overnight. Keep handling to a minimum to reduce stress. Check your cage temps/humidity/hides to make sure ur husbandry is in line. Examine for possible problems (resp, mouthrote, mites ect). I'm out of ideas if nothing in there works. I've had snakes not want to feed in winter, but none of my (limited number) of carpets.
-John

Old thread, but thought I would add my 2 cents:

Many carpets want bigger food items than you would imagine possible. My HATCHLINGS eat ratpinks/huge hopper mice for their first meal.
They eat small adult mice or rat fuzzies by 6-8 weeks.

Carpets can be very picky with the species of rodent they prefer. Most people talk about Jungles refusing rats, but it can work both ways. I have had a jungle clutch refuse mice (the whole clutch wanted rats, all 12 of them).

Good luck.
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Mark Davis
New Paradigm Herpetoculture
Captive Bred Morelia
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