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If a snake strikes at and kills a live rodent but doesn't eat - does that mean he wasn't hungry or that he might eat it later? How long should I give him to eat it before removing?
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If a snake kills but doesn't eat it can be for a couple of reasons. The first: It has a small feeding response but not enough to make it go all the way (see my earlier post). Second: It was hungry and for some reason got scared off it's food. Third: It was not hungry but the food animal scared it enough that it killed it in self defense.

Personally I leave a food animal that has been killed overnight. If there is a hide box, then I will place the food inside so that the snake can find it in a safe place.

If this is the same snake you are talking about you might want to look into methods of assist feeding, if the snake has gone without for over a month.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

>>If a snake strikes at and kills a live rodent but doesn't eat - does that mean he wasn't hungry or that he might eat it later? How long should I give him to eat it before removing?
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>> Check Out My Albums
>>
>>1.0 Ball Python
>>"Aragorn"
>>1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
>>"Gimli"
>>1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
>>"Indigo"
>>1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
>>"Frodo"
>>0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
>>"Arwen"
>>
>>0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
>>"Kira"
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Chris Harrison

It's a male Saharan Sand Boa. He only ate about every 2-3 weeks for the breeder. Last time he ate was 3/25/04. He's only lost 9 grams since then, so I haven't been too worried. Not been showing interest in live or F/T. I've not been too worried, but had never had that happen. I'm thinking he was just tired of the thing running around and wanted some peace and quiet.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

In that case he is not too far off his schedule. When did he shed last? Also...Are you keeping him in the sme conditions as the dealer?

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

According to the dealer he last shed 3/22/04.

I'm keeping him in a rack I bought from the breeder. He had him in a 15qt tub with sanichips at about 92 degrees. I have him in a 32qt tub with sanichips at about the same temp. I have noticed him getting more active at night, so I'm thinking/hoping he will eat soon.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

That would be normal. Do you have water in with him? if so remove it. Too much humidity can also be a problem. Offer very small food at night (and leave it) and see what happens.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

What are sanichips?
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

They are aspen chips - as opposed to the shredded slivers of aspen.

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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

Personally I would get playground sand and move your sand boa to that. Aspen can retain moisture, which can be a problem with them.

There is also a dust problem that can cause respiratory problems with snakes that burrow in it when it is fresh. I use normal aspen for some of my snakes, but I always lightly mist it when I first add it to cut the dust.

I understand your breeder used it. But personally, I am not comfortable with aspen for that kind of snake.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

>>I understand your breeder used it. But personally, I am not comfortable with aspen for that kind of snake.

I'm not sure what the basis for making this statement. I have kept and bred sandboas on Aspen (both Sanichips and shredded) for years. In fact, the only substrate linked fatalities I have ever had with sandboas is when I kept them on sand!

And because of its smaller particle size and therefore greater surface area, combined with the capillary wicking of the sand, sand actually holds a lot more moisture than aspen does and it holds it longer.

Just for the record, I much prefer the shredded aspen. It holds burrow shapes better and isn't as dusty as sanichips (and those damn sanichips end up everywhere!).

As for the killing and not eating...I always try a smaller food item the next time.
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Chris Harrison

I'm afraid we wil have to agree to disagree on this Chris. The only sand boas I ever lost were on Aspen. I keep Sand Boas, Side winders, Horned Vipers (cerastes)all on sand. The trick is that they don't need water so keeping it dry is not an issue.

Other snakes that I have found work well on either are Scarlett snakes, Glossie snakes and Transpecos rats (juv).

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."