Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have a male ATB that is one year old. I am looking for any suggestions on how to get him to eat again. Ill give some background info. I bought him when he was a month old, and wasnt able to get him to eat. After a couple of assisted feedings he started to eat, but was always still very finicky. It seems like hes almost scared to bite something (has never bitten me). Anyways a month and a half ago he threw up a hopper after two days and hasnt eaten since. I have tried putting the snake in a container (supervised, and worked in the past), the snake seems interested but wont strike. ALso at night he is up and about, but wont strike at the mouse. Day temps in the mid 80s, humidity always at least 70% but more like 75%. Any suggestions are appreciated thanks. I have also tried a rat pup but he showed no interest.

First...take everything out of your snakes enclosure. Take a dead crawler mouse and put it in a small ziploc baggy. Get some hot water running over it so the mouse gets heated up enough to stay pretty warm for a few minutes. Now...with the crawler, touch the snake on any part of the body where it is not facing. Because of the heat the snake should whip around. When it does touch it on a part of it's body again with the crawler...somewhere where he can't strike it. Do this a few times then touch it closer to the head where he actually can strike it. Use your judgment and if it gets mad enough leave the crawler in a spot when you touch the snake with it and he should strike.

Keep repeating this and he should grab it out of pure anger. If he doesn't strike at it...lemme know and we will try something else!
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Matt Lerer
Ghi Reptiles