Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased a 1500g female from a forum member. She is a healthy looking animal so I have no doubts that she ate without problem her entire life. I, however, have not been able to get her to eat in the 1 1/2 months that I've owned her. The previous owner said she would take f/t sm-med rats. She suggested that they were warm, dry and that I use tongs to slowly wave the rat in front of her. The firdt time she struck and let go, but I can't even get her to do that now.

I don't handle her. She is in a nice 4ft Animal plastics cage with radiant heat panel and 2 hides. The cool side is in the mid 70s and hot in the mid 80s. I've never had a problem feeder before so I'm not sure what to do. I even tried a live mouse just for kicks and she wasn't interested.

What next?

Thanks!
Jeff

The temps are pretty cool, pretty much at the levels people use when cycling for breeding. I'm pretty sure that's why she's not interested in food -- raise the temps and it should help.
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

Throw in a live small rat, and see if she takes the bait. Keep feeding her live for a while, until she seems less stressed. Then you can try and switch her back to frozen thawed. Or just keep her on live. Its up to you. Hope this helps...

Try bumping up the heat to 90 hot side, 80 cool side. My snakes also will go off feed if their cage temps get too cool.

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

Try her in a smaller enviroment like a 32 quart box or a cb 70 size box with warmer temps.
Most balls wont eat if there in too big of a cage.
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J&J REPTILES
www.jnjreptiles.com
sales@jnjreptiles.com
(207)479-6658

It could just be that time of the year - the shipping / new home stress - the temperatures (as mentioned they are a little low). If she appears healthy I wouldn't worry about it.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

Insert Silly Quote Here

I forgot to mention that I move her from the top cage that was 90 on the hot side, 80 on the cool. I thought that she may have been too hot. I also tried a live rat and she didn't make a move.

I'm hoping that it is just that time of the year where she would normally slow down. I've always had a small collection and never more than two of the same species all of which were handpicked and usually young to start with so I'm not used to issues aside from bad sheds.