Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK Jeff, Dave (and others)
My BRB still won't eat (check previous re-gurge thread).
I've lowered the temps...low 70's to low 80's.
Humidity is great.
Hides with moist sphagnum moss in each temp gradient.
I've stopped handling him until he starts eating again.
I've tried pinks, fuzzies, and hoppers, in that order, left in cage overnight.
I know they can go for a while, I'm just getting a little scared, took me a year to talk the better half into getting a snake, so I've got a lot emotionally and financially (at least for me) invested in this little guy.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

I'm kind of in the same boat, my ball python hatchling hasn't eaten since I got him about 2 months ago. He's not a BRB though, so you've got a much better chance. I would give it a least a month until you start getting worried. I don't use live much but I can offer some f/t tips, it helps to try everything if you've done live a lot before.

Something that often helps is braining or at least scenting, my guy used to not eat f/t unless I left them in his cage overnight after being rubbed on a cloth that had been with my rats. You can do the same at a pet store, you do get some funny looks though. You can also brain f/t mice to increase the smell, just cut open the head of a pinky or other very young mouse and smear the liquid around its head. Gross, but attractive to snakes apparently. I also leave them heated overnight in the cage inside a little toilet paper roll tube so it's more secretive. Heating them up enough helps too, heat water until it's almost boiled but not quite and drop the mouse in a baggie in there for 15 minutes, if you aren't already.

If he keeps on not eating, then you can consider force feeding and other less fun options. But you have a lot more time, and luck on your side since usually rainbows are great eaters. Another thing you can do is get a poop sample to the vet if he's still going to the bathroom, put it in a plastic baggy and ask them to test it (although they might make you make an appointment). It might be due to parasites, a bacterial infection, etc. Good luck and keep us updated, I'm sure everyone will be on to tell you their little tricks too.
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Danne
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1.0 '07 BRB "Monroe"
1.0 '08 Pastel BP "Sebastian"
1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
0.2 Dumbo (non-feeder) rats "Josie & Holly"
0.4.2 fish

Email = dshoback@eden.rutgers.edu

Like you already know, stress can affect them so not handling is a good thing. Where is the cage? in a high traffic area or off in a corner nice and quiet?

You will get the BEST feeding response with a live mouse hopper.

Don't keep trying. If it does not eat, leave it for a few days before trying again.

You are measuring temps at floor level right? Best done with a temp gun.

Now that you've lowered the temps, where does he hide?
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks as always for the help Dave...
He's in the bedroom, I'm 42, so it's a "low traffic area" lol!
Temps are measured at the substrate.
I assume the temps are good for him, he spends almost 100% of his time in the hide at the middle of the temp range (I'm listening to him Jeff)

I'll hold off until after Thanksgiving, and offer him a hopper once a week.
...again...much Thanks.

I can't help but throw in there, have you ever done a fecal on him? A parasite can be the cause of regurg and anorexia if everything else is perfect. It's much less likely than human error, but if you're being extremely careful... it could be. If he has anything in his system to poop put the sample in a plastic bag and put it in the fridge and try to take it to the vet in less than 24 hrs or go right away. It's usually around $20 or less... might be worth it. Good luck!
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7.22 BRB
10.20 BCI
1.1 Mandarin Rat Snakes
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
0.2 Corn Snakes
2.8 Leopard Geckos