Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My friend has a small (less than a foot) female BP at her store. It is going on two months now that this snake has not fed. She is in a good enclosure; rubbermaid container, hot and cool hides, heatpad, temps are right, but the snake just ignores all types of prey. Mice, fresh killed, thawed, even live. Also tried a gerbil, and even a hamser, but to no avail.
I read in a previous post about feeding a liquid diet via syringe.
It seems like she shies away from the prey item, as though afraid of it. I strongly suspect that this snake was bitten by a mouse, since she had been fed live mice without me being around, previously. I fear for her because she is looking rather thin, and also at such a young, formative age.
Help!
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*~Ginevive~*

...my main question. How do you go about feeding by syringe, and what is used? I do not want to resort to that, but I also don't want her to lose this snake.
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*~Ginevive~*

If it were me I would not even consider alternate prey items or syringes. I would take a prekilled small mouse (to start with a smaller than expected meal if her stomach isn't active) and I would open her mouth with the nose of the mouse and stick it gently in. If she is struggling and not willing to take it and opens her mouth and gags it out then you can try a smaller, pinkie even,prey that will slip further in with less resistence. She may take several tiny meals once a week before she kicks into eating.
If she takes the assist fed mouse and grabs and wraps it you are most of the way to her eating unassisted. Let her wrap and eat and do the same next week. Then start, when you have a few meals in her, just trying to touch her nose with the prekilled mouse and she will, eventually just take it and eat without the wrestling match.
I would suspect she is a never fed hatchling. What is her weight? That is another thing I would note. Helps you get a feel for what she is taking in.
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Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.

My ball python was the same, small and shy of prey. Here's what worked for me. Get a plastic container 6 x 4 x 4 inches or close, but smaller than a shoebox size container. Put the snake in and then the prey, assuming it is a dead food item. Cover with a towel or put in a dark area without distractions. Leave for 15 minutes and check or even overnight. If overnight, put the box with snake and food item into it's cage for warmth. You can also try this with live prey, but you must observe closely, every 15 minutes and after 30 minutes take it out and try again another day. Don't ever leave live mouse in cage overnight, but you probably new that.

What this does is that it keeps the food close to the snake and may allow the snakes fight or flight instinct to kick in or it may trigger its eating behavior.

Definetly try the "box" trick over force feeding! Many balls go off feed around this time of year....some people feel that only older balls go through this phase, but in my experience even yearlings do this! I have a 21 inch 180 gram female ball who has gone off feed for the last month now. She has no medical problems, so I will offer her food every week until she begins to feed again. My other two snakes are feeding well but one of the larger ones has significantly reduced the number of rats he'll take per month! If you are truly concerned I would recomend you take the animal to a qualified reptile vet! Force feeding can be conducted, but I strongly advice you don't do this unless someone experienced is around to guide you because it is extremely stressful to some snakes.
Good luck!
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*Amy*
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