Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First of all....thank you to everyone who helped answer my previous questions!! The feedback is GREATLY appreciated!

I got my little N. Mexican pine(around 13inches) last week (7 days ago) Thursday. Yesterday, I attempted to feed him a thawed fuzzy.(The person I ordered him from said he was already eating them.) Sadly enough, he didn't eat.

After he was placed in his feeding enclosure (a plastic tote about 20g in size.) I used a pair of tongs to jiggle and wiggle the mouse near the snake. The snake struck the mouse several times, but they weren't "feeding" strikes. After a few more strikes, I placed the snake back in his cage and tossed the mouse. Not wanting to stress him out too much.

Is this too soon to be trying to feed him? When should I try again? Should I have left him and the mouse in the feeding enclosure together? I notice the snake is most active at night....should I have tried the feeding at night time?

He looks great and by no means does he look emaciated, starving or sick. I would just really like to get him eating. The person I ordered him from claimed he was eating 1 fuzzy every 4-5 days!!

Any advice is welcome!!

I've had several pythons and one montior in the past. However, I've never fed my animals frozen/thawed mice! I always used to raise my own mice and offered live food. So, this is a completely new experience.

Thank you!!!

First of all, I would try feeding him in his cage. Removing him from his cage into a " feeding enclosure " is stressing him out.

At first, put him in his hidebox, or simply wait until he is in his hidebox. That is a key element right there. Hideboxes provide security. Make sure he is comfy and secure. Then, put the food item at the entrance of the hidebox. Then, LEAVE HIM ALONE.

Leaving him alone is the key. Leave the room.

Try that and see what happens. Think about reducing as much stress from the snake as possible. Reducing stress is the key here.
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Genesis 1:1

I've had success feeding inside and outside the tub. If you decide to feed outside of the tub, use a smaller feeding enclosure. You mentioned 20g. Try a 15qt or smaller so the snake is nice and cozy with the food item. Leave the food item in with the snake and cover the enclosure with a blanket to provide total darkness/security. Check back in 20-30 minutes... the food should be gone. This method has worked for me when dealing with snakes that have a weaker feeding response.

Regarding the food size, i'm new to pits... but a fuzzy sounds too big for a 13 inch snake. At that length, it probably weighs less than 15g. Hard to tell without actually seeing the snake, but I'd move it down to a pinky. Maybe someone else can chime in.

Any chance you could get a photo of the snake & food item together? That would help folks on the forum judge whether the size is appropriate.

Thanks to all who helped me out!

The other night, I thawed out a fuzzy. Placed it in front of his favorite hide. Covered his cage with a blanket.....woke up in the am and....the mouse is gone!

I'm so damn happy he ate!!

I'll post some pics soon!!

Thanks yall!!!

That is awesome to hear! Congrats on the success!!

Keep us posted! Remember, patience and security is the key. Keep him free of stress as little as possible.

How you fed yours is exactly how I feed this little girl here.

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Genesis 1:1

When my Mex pines were that small if I fed them a fuzzy mouse they would inevitably regurgitate. Moved them back down to 2 pinkys instead and they did much better.

Being secretive they probably aren't going to feed from tongs. Even at 2 ft. I still feed mine in the rubbermaid sandwich size containers. This keeps them in close proximity to the food and they are easily covered with a towel. Put in food, put in snake, snap on lid securely cover and go away.

Or you can use Billy's(DISCERN) idea of leaving it outside the hide and go away.

Not sure if it would be the same with yours but my Mexs tend to be more active late in the day and always feed better when I feed late afternoon or early evening.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
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