Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm really getting frustrated with my baby boa. He's eaten f/t mice before, but I can't get him to anymore. I thaw out the mouse in hot water while it's in a plastic sandwich bag, but he still won't take it. The mouse is soft all the way through but he just sits there with his head next to it the whole time. He shed a week or two ago and I haven't offered anything until now. What am I doing wrong?
His temps are okay, ranging from high 70s on the cool side to 80-90 on the hot side. He's got places to hide, he moves from each side of his tank normally...
I don't know what else to do, and quite frankly I don't want to keep him if I can't feed him... I don't want to keep him if I can't provide for him, and I don't wnat to feed him live mice his whole life...
Any advice would greatly be appreciated because I don't know what to do anymore.

While I'm aware that some snakes may not want to eat because of the time of year, this is a problem I've been having before the cooler weather moved in. I live in Houston, Texas and the weather has been kind of screwy lately. Hot then cold, hot then cold... Today isn't exactly cold, but more like cool... I've always assumed that when colder weather sets in, I can expect changes of appetite. But can this change with the dropping of a couple degrees as well?

Some thoughts: You say your high end temps are 80-90. Not knowing what kind of heat source you are using....try to make your hot end temps more stable and in the low 90's. I think he may not be warm enough overall and it may have affected his appetite. The outside weather there should not be a factor in what "HIS" temps are. His cool end temps should be a little warmer also. He may have the beginnings of an RI from the cool temps....perhaps a visit to the vet is in order.

Some suggestions that have worked for me: I thaw my F/T out in warm water and let them soak a little. Just before I feed, I run very warm water over them so that the mouse is warm to the touch. He may need to "feel/sense" the heat radiating from the mouse for a strike. Sometimes babies need to have the mouse dangled and wiggled a little. I have also had babies that feed better in a darkened room. If you're feeding during the day, turn out the overhead lights. This will also keep him from seeing you as well, thus eliminating distractions. Also, try leaving the mouse in his enclosure overnight on the warm end. It may also be that he will need a few more feedings of live prey before he will convert to F/T. That is certainly preferable to allowing him to become malnourished and weak. That's all I can think of right now from the information you provided. There are a couple of things you could try tubing him with later on to stimulate his appetite if all else fails, but you should talk it over with your vet and do it as a last resort. If the feeding tips don't work in the fairly near future, I would take him to a reptile vet. You should be able to find some good ones in Houston. I know some experienced herpers in the Houston area, that could suggest a good one for you and may even help you with your baby. Email me privately at lindah@thegrid.net if the feeding tips don't work.

You mite try putting the ft mouse in right before the room goes dark for the night.Also maybe try a rat pup.Same time of day.I dont think you need to start sweating it yet.jmho Brad Wooten

Jensinger,
. Linda and Brad have given great advice. The one other thing to consider is that if your frozen mice have been frozen very long they may have gotten stale or picked up odors that the snake does not like. Sometimes in these situations the snake will take a fresh killed mousy smelling mouse.
Jeff

>>I'm really getting frustrated with my baby boa. He's eaten f/t mice before, but I can't get him to anymore. I thaw out the mouse in hot water while it's in a plastic sandwich bag, but he still won't take it. The mouse is soft all the way through but he just sits there with his head next to it the whole time. He shed a week or two ago and I haven't offered anything until now. What am I doing wrong?
>>His temps are okay, ranging from high 70s on the cool side to 80-90 on the hot side. He's got places to hide, he moves from each side of his tank normally...
>>I don't know what else to do, and quite frankly I don't want to keep him if I can't feed him... I don't want to keep him if I can't provide for him, and I don't wnat to feed him live mice his whole life...
>>Any advice would greatly be appreciated because I don't know what to do anymore.

I've had success with bagging before, put the snake and the food into a snake bag overnight.

Try freshly killed see if that gets a better response.

If the snake insists on live maybe try rat pups since they are less likely to harm the snake and after a couple feedings try dead/thawed again.
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Gary Harris - gary@mydixiesys.com
http://www.dixiesys.com/
http://www.8-95.com/