Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would not get rid of it yet...you can do this. What other things have you tried besides mice? and what things have you done to scent mice with other things? you said you tried everything...whats is everything and we can go from there.

I have only tried mice but it is too small for chicks/birds and I don't want to feed it lizards because it's a pain to catch lizards all the time. Also when it's fully grown anything lizard like will be too small a prey for it. What else is there to feed it? I haven't scented the mice but I have brained one before. How would I scent one? I have bought all the necessary heat, hiding areas, and it has good humidity. I have tried dangling it in front of it at night wn it's prowling, didn't work either. ABout two weeks ago it strangled and killed the mouse but didn't even try to swallow it. If you got any more advice, let me hear it.
Thanks

- make SURE your humidity is up (75% )
- make sure your little one has plenty of places to secrete away and get comfortable and feel safe
- try blocking off all the sides of the enclosure so it can't see out and you can't see in
- try a smaller enclosure - I've found babies of many species can stress out easily in a larger enclosure
- leave it completely alone for one full week - only go in the enclosure to change the water
- try a live rat pinky or fuzzy (dangled or leave it in a dish overnight so it can't get into a corner)
- try a live fuzzy mouse or hopper (same as above)
- try leaving a fresh-killed mouse or rat of appropriate size in the enclosure overnight in a conspicuous spot, like up in the branches
- try the above dipped in chicken broth
- buy a $20 finch at the local pet store and scent the above with that

That's all I can think of for now except to be patient. I would like to know what, exactly your conditions are - what size is the enclosure, what is it made of, what is the humidity level, how often are you handling the animal, how many and what kind of shelters does it have, what's the household traffic like around the enclosure, etc. I ask all these things so maybe someone can pick something up that isn't quite right and offer some more help. Waaaay back in the old days when I was in college, I housed an african rock and a ball python (both juvies) together in a 55 gal tank and couldn't figure out why the two little pigs suddenly stopped eating. Long story short, but it took me 5 months to figure out that whenever I was not around, my kitten would jump up on the aquarium and stare down at the snakes. Once I eliminated that little problem, they both proceeded to start eating like champs again. Think outside the box, look at all the things that could be causing your little one stress (which is the usual reason baby snakes don't eat), double and triple check your temps and humidity and you will figure out something that will work. Even if that means getting a couple of lizards into the little guy to keep him going. Good luck!! Billy

>>I have only tried mice but it is too small for chicks/birds and I don't want to feed it lizards because it's a pain to catch lizards all the time. Also when it's fully grown anything lizard like will be too small a prey for it. What else is there to feed it? I haven't scented the mice but I have brained one before. How would I scent one? I have bought all the necessary heat, hiding areas, and it has good humidity. I have tried dangling it in front of it at night wn it's prowling, didn't work either. ABout two weeks ago it strangled and killed the mouse but didn't even try to swallow it. If you got any more advice, let me hear it.
>>Thanks

you don't give lizards its whole life...you just do what you can to get them eating something. Try anoles..they are about 6$ at a petco. for scenting...rub some grocery store chicken all over the mouse or buy a ft chick and rub that on the mouse. i have heard chicken broth works well but i have never had luck with it. if it is killing and letting go it might be going into shed. or it is afraid of you near by and just leave after it coils and leave the room dark. good luck.

I just tried feeding it again yesterday, it didn't eat. I'm probably going to see if the people can me in another that's eating properly. Thanks for your help everyone, but the snake just isn't gonna eat.
Thanks

I dont know buy I know this works Every time on Baby Cobras.
Go to the grocery store and buy some Chicken Livers or Gizzerds then take your mouse and dip it in the Blood that this crap is packed in then try feeding. When I was dealing with Monocled Cobras This would work EVERY Time. I hope it will work for you as well. Anything is worth Trying.
Take care
Justin