Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hes eaten about three or four times since i got him on thanksgiving.

he wont eat regularly. he wont eat if im in the room. he wont leave his hide. hes basically not thriving.

wtf should i do?!

In a simple response, re-evaluate your housing. Sounds like your snake is not all that happy with its enclosure. Also depending on the age and size of the snake, what food you are providing him/her. This time of year, not all snakes pound their food.
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im fed up with trying to make his 10 gallon tank work. im transfering him to a 10x10 rubbermaid with a thermostat and an under the tank heater. i wasted so much money on misinformation from the guy i brought him from. dont buy from North Carolina reptiles.

Is there any way we can see a pic of the tank/set up? I started my first blood (with very little info might I add) in a 25 gal tank with no problems. Although he was a ridiculously calm animal and probably an exception to the rule, perhaps there are some things you can change about the set up - so you don't have to spend more money (I'm on a tight budget too). Like..tape some heavy construction paper around the outside of it so it feels more secure. If you have an undertank heat pad you can then drape a towel over most of the top. Make sure there is more than one hide to chose from. Also, what substrate are you using? In addition to a humid hide you could try filling a dish (like one of those cheap plastic gladware containers you put leftovers in) with cypress mulch and partially covering it so it can burrow. I might also try a fake plastic plant partially covering the water dish as well. Pretty much, if you have a particularly shy snake, it might be better to make it feel secure no matter where it goes in the tank. If your tank is too open for the snake to feel secure, think of some ways to make it seem smaller. That being said, if you are seriously concerned (the snake is losing weight, etc.) and you have the money then go for something smaller.
Does the snake seem healthy? any breathing problems? Has it shed? Also, Rich mentioned two things..food and winter. What are you feeding? I have a 20" baby right now eating adult mice, which she has been eating since well before Christmas - but that is all she would eat..anything smaller and she wouldn't touch it. Are you feeding f/t or live? F/T is always better but live might stimulate a feeding response, just be careful, you're going to have to watch and make sure nothing goes wrong...and if you don't see a response very quickly take it back out. Make sure the mouse is old enough that its going to run around pretty well, the movement should catch the snake's attention - a small adult or hopper should work. Let me reiterate...be VERY careful, especially if your snake seems weak. Let us know how it does/ is doing after you change the set up or enclosure.

just threw a hide in, he went in, now his in hunting position, coiled with his head out. my female just ate 2 mice in one week. sweet.