Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,
I'm having alittle trouble getitng my female papun to eat...she seems interested in the food but she wont take anythin ...I've tried thawed medium rats, live medium rats, fresh killed medium rats, thawed retierd breeder mouse, fresh killed retired breeder mouse, live retired breeder mouse......nothin seems to work....I'm trying to find chicks for her but I cant find them......but ya anyone have any feeding tips?

Justin Morash

Have you tried soaking a rat in chicken broth? This may help you find out if your papuan has any interest in birds while still feeding it a food source that is readily available.

In my limited experience, Papuans are one of the "best" feeders out there. I would chalk this up not to the prey items (in the wild they are incredibly opportunistic, and have been found with literally everything possible in them) but to stress or medical ailments. I would dim the lights, and leave absolutely alone, except to provide fresh water every few days. Don't even mist (if thats how you keep your humidity up) just provide a box with sphagnum moss or the like. Leave her like that, and try again in two weeks. While you are giving her some space, bring a fecal to a vet, as there is an equal liklihood (if she looks real thin) that the stress of shipping/transport has weakened her (usually strong) immune system, and her parasite load is too high. Many people have commented on the incredibly high loads these pythons can carry, so there is a good chance that a compromised system allowed for them to get out of control. If that is indeed the case, then start working with the vet immediately, and don't even try to feed until you have dosed her a few times with the appropriate meds.
Good luck...seeing as you have a pair, we all need you to keep them healthy!

Assuming that the python is in good overall health (good activity levels, no RI, no ecto/endoparasites, etc.), and the snake is just being a little finicky, and you want an almost guaranteed feeding response, then I would get my hands on some quail or chicks (size depending on size of snake). Go go www.rodentpro.com and order from there, or you can find some others as well. I had one papuan that had to be kick started on quail, and my twin bro Rob has used quail to kick start many other recalcitrant feeders as well (he's the one that shared the quail trick with me and it worked great). No handling except for routine maintenance while you are trying to get this guy to start feeding on his own. Make sure your temps are sufficient and that there are no drafts (I used a daytime thermal gradient of 84-98F for my adults/subadult, a little cooler on the high end for juveniles; and 82-88F for nighttime range). Good luck, Chris

since the change of seasons in the Northeast is taking place (I don't know where you are but subtle changes can be the problem) your python may be going through a slow down. How old is the animal? If it is breeding age you may see more of a lack of interest if you are not maintaining high enough temperatures. I have not had any trouble with my papuans eating except of course during the breeding season when the males tended not to eat. My females always seemed willing to eat (maybe slowed down a little) even during the breeding season. I wouldn't worry too much unless it turns out being a parasite problem or other health issue. As mentioned in attached posts Papuans normally come around on their own too be aggressive active feeders. Keep us posted.