Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had one of my western hognoses for 3 months now and have tried every week to get it to feed but it's just not interested. I've tried heating the pinky, cutting the head off, braining it, putting it and the snake in a tiny tub together overnight, scenting it with toad, feeding fuzzy mouse tails and pretty much everything else i can think of. So far the only luck I had was when it took 2 fuzzy tails, but that was over a month ago and it hasn't touched anything since. It had only had one feed before I bought it so I'm getting a bit worried now although it doesn't appear to have lost any weight and is still in good condition. One that I bought at the same time will eat 1 pinky a week but hasn't shed and is still about the same size as the non-feeder. Is there anything else anyone can suggest I try before I have to resort to force feeding?

Alana

Alana, what I like to do is first try washing the pinky under the sink with a strong detergent soap like dial or ivory. Then, leave a lizard with the pinky for about an hour if it is a western hog, or one hour with a toad if other type of hog. Then, leave the snake in a small container over night with the food. If it still does not eat, then begin cooling the snake by dropping the temperature in its cage by 5 degrees weekly until your average temps are about 60 or 65. Let the snake stay at these temps for about two months. Then slowly raise the temps by 5 degrees weekly until you are back at normal temps. This usually works for me. Do not force feed the snake because it is very stressful. If you have to, feed the snake about one inch of mouse tails every other week until it begins to feed on its own. You could also try live small toads. One of these things will work. The other thing you want to look at is your cage setup. Is there enough bedding to burrow? Does the hot side get around 90 degrees, and is the cold side around 75-80? Keep on trying, and let me know if I can help you any more. Good luck. Howard.

I would not scent it at all if it has ever taken unscented pinks. I would try putting the hoggie in a small container like a mealworm container with a dead pink and leave it in there for 24-48 hours. Make sure the container is opaque. This usually works. If you scent the pink and it takes it your back at square one again. These snakes aren't very active and they store fat very well. They are also known for their ability to fast.

Joe
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