Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I'm stumped! I have 3.8 imported ETBs of various ages/sizes. I have two that so far (6 mos) have refused to feed voluntarily. They will "react" to offered thawed and superheated prey - rat pups, mice and live mice, rat pups even chicks. After an initial move towards the item, they shy away and thats it! I have reluctantly force fed them hopper mice on two occasions but they still show remarkable body weight. Live items left overnight remain unscathed.

Both were housed in Barrs cages, app. 24" squares. They were on the lower rack in the room and temps were around 82F w/ 60%-80% humidity. Air flow is very good. The cages were sterile in that all that was in them were PVC perches and a water bowl.

Today I've moved them up to the higher shelf where temps can peak at 85F. I've incorporated orchid bark substrate, additional perches ov varying elevations and angles, and added alot of fake vines etc. for concealment purposes.

Anybody think of anything else to do? They've been treated multiple times for parasites and overall they really look good! I'm hoping a slight increase in temps. combined w/ the added security of the greenery may allow them to be comfortable to hunt. All the others are thriving and I'm frustrated!

Bill
-----
The Menagerie:
3.8 Emerald Tree Boas
2.4 Spilotes Pullatus
1.3 Chondros
2.4 Red Tailed Green Rats - Maylasian Origin
2.2 Scrub Pythons (Kofiau, Moluccan)
1.1 "Sunburst" Indian Sand Boas (Adults retain juvie coloration)
Veileds, Jacksons, and Panther Chams
1.1 American Bulldogs

I'll make an assumption that these are adults or sub-adults and not juvies. With that said, what is the NTL temps and how much of a humidity drop is there?

Craig

Young adults, NTL is 78F and humidity drops to 50%.

Bill
-----
The Menagerie:
3.8 Emerald Tree Boas
2.4 Spilotes Pullatus
1.3 Chondros
2.4 Red Tailed Green Rats - Maylasian Origin
2.2 Scrub Pythons (Kofiau, Moluccan)
1.1 "Sunburst" Indian Sand Boas (Adults retain juvie coloration)
Veileds, Jacksons, and Panther Chams
1.1 American Bulldogs

Russian Dwarf Hamsters. They are like emerald candy.

Craig

I tried them before, ended up being an expensive dinner for a Scrub lol! I replanted their respective cages w/Orchid Bark substrate as well as copious amts. of fake plants for added security. Its been three days or so since they've been in the upgraded abodes so I'm going to try small live mice since I have some and resort to the Hamster next weekend if necessary. They are SOOOO shy, any movement and they shy away big time!
-----
The Menagerie:
3.8 Emerald Tree Boas
2.4 Spilotes Pullatus
1.3 Chondros
2.4 Red Tailed Green Rats - Maylasian Origin
2.2 Scrub Pythons (Kofiau, Moluccan)
1.1 "Sunburst" Indian Sand Boas (Adults retain juvie coloration)
Veileds, Jacksons, and Panther Chams
1.1 American Bulldogs

Try covering any glass/plexi areas of the cage with newspaper/paper towels/etc a couple of days before you try to feed. Just leave a small area open for light up toward the top. Then on the day of feeding turn off the heat sources several hours before you feed. After it's dark, stick the mouse/rat in as quickly/quietly with as little light as possible, then leave it alone for at least several hours, preferably all night. We had to do this with a couple of WC animals years ago. I think with the male it took several tries before he finally started eating and it took a LONG time to get him off live.

Good luck
Karen
-----
Karen Clark
Gems of the Rainforest

One ate last night, though of course its one of two in the same cage! The one thats solo did not feed! The mouse was small enough that I doubt it would show any visible lump and after not feeding for soooo long, I'm reluctant to really disturb them fo fear of sparking a stress-induced regurge!

Hopefully whichever one fed is "over the hump" and will feed again earlier in the ordeal - like before I go to sleep! Then I can work the process of elimination deal and focus on the remaining two. I'm not going to try again 'till next Saturday once I'm back from a biz. trip. I'll cover the cage between now and then.

Bill
-----
The Menagerie:
3.8 Emerald Tree Boas
2.4 Spilotes Pullatus
1.3 Chondros
2.4 Red Tailed Green Rats - Maylasian Origin
2.2 Scrub Pythons (Kofiau, Moluccan)
1.1 "Sunburst" Indian Sand Boas (Adults retain juvie coloration)
Veileds, Jacksons, and Panther Chams
1.1 American Bulldogs

Billy I have an import female that recently broke her fast after 7 months!

When an adult import doesn't feed, aside from the usual bunch of tricks like Dwarf hamsters and covered glass I just wait it out. As long as they aren't ridden with parasites they will lose very little condition and will be just fine.

It sometimes just takes longer for some to acclimate than others. But I can almost guarantee that once they do start feeding they will make up for lost time by eating everything offered.

Good luck and hang in there,
Danny
-----
Urban Jungles.com