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A few of you know what a hard time I'm having with Eden eating. I have tried everything. Every option and opinion everyone has given me I've tried. I have tried live, f/t, decapitation, braining, bleeding. I have moved her tank to a more quiet area. I have tried letting her eat from my hand, in a enclosed private area. Her temp is around 82 on the hot side around 78 on the cool. She has water, hiding places, yet she just will not eat. I'm not ashamed to say, I'm scared. I love animals, and I'm so attached to her, I'm so worried something is going to happen to her. Can anyone think of something I've not tried? Thank all of you listening to me.
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Blessed Be
Aradia

Eden is only about 6 months old and on pinkies. I have had her for about 3 weeks and its been close to 4 since she has ate. Thanks again.
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Blessed Be
Aradia

If you live anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line, or in the Southwest, you probably have Meditteranean geckos around your house. If not, anoles will work. Buy or catch one, freeze it, and use its scent or blood on the pinky's nose.
Also-try moving its cage to a different spot. Maybe put it in a place where there is no light for awhile, or more light. An area away from or nearer to an A/C vent.
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

Try anoles. Freeze them or sufficate them then put it ur snakes cage. It worked for my corn.

chuck

A few of you know what a hard time I'm having with Eden eating. I have tried everything. Every option and opinion everyone has given me I've tried. I have tried live, f/t, decapitation, braining, bleeding. I have moved her tank to a more quiet area. I have tried letting her eat from my hand, in a enclosed private area. Her temp is around 82 on the hot side around 78 on the cool. She has water, hiding places, yet she just will not eat. I'm not ashamed to say, I'm scared. I love animals, and I'm so attached to her, I'm so worried something is going to happen to her. Can anyone think of something I've not tried? Thank all of you listening to me.
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>>Blessed Be
>>Aradia

Aradia,

I am sorry to hear of the difficulties you are having with Eden. I know how frustrating that can be. I haven't read your previous posts on this matter (assuming you've posted previously) so the only info I have is what is written above. My thoughts are that if the snake ate pinkies for the first five months of his life, then stopped eating shortly after arriving at your house, then I would lean towards changing its environment rather than changing its food. Anoles and geckos might to the trick, as suggested, but if the snake was already eating pinkies, I'd be inclined to stick with pinkies.

As for the environment, I'd keep the snake in a rather small, shoebox-sized container, and I'd bump the temps up a couple of degrees (hot side 84-85). The increase temps often stimulate the appetite, as well as the immune system. Again, you may already be keeping your snake in this manner... I'm just throwing out ideas.

It sounds like you've tried many different varieties of mouse meals. The one that works the best for me is to take a frozen pinky, break it in half, thaw it in warm water, then give both halves a gentle squeeze so goo starts to ooze out. I put both halves on some sort of plastic "plate" (usually the lid to a deli cup) inside the enclosure and leave overnight. I'd also set the plate of pinky parts near the entrance of the cave the snake uses most often.

Finally, have you talked to the breeder about how the snake was kept for the first five months of its life, and its eating habits? If its an '02 snake and still eating pinkies, it may have been a slow starter or sporadic feeder to begin with?

Just some thoughts and suggestions. I hope Eden begins to eat for you soon!

Take care,
Ronda

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Ronda Van Winkle
Northwest Herpetoculture

all sorts of feeding techniques I am inclined to think that you are stressing the heck out of her and pushing her further from eating rather than getting closer.
If it were me....
I would leave her alone all the rest of this week. No holding her, no offering anything, NOTHING. IF you can get hold of the breeder ask them what they fed. Then, come late Sunday or Monday I would offer either what the breeder suggests or a live pinkie in a closed container, alone for at least three hours and possibly overnight. No peeking, no pestering.
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Sonya

I agree with Sonya. I've been following your posts, and I know youre worried, but quite frankly, all that you've tried in just the past few days has stressed ME out.LOL. Some are very sensitive to change/stress. Just give some space. Let her get to know her area. I got my snake a couple years ago when he was about 6mo. I got him from a friend of a friend. I found out a little later that he was in a bad enviroment...running out of water, no hides and being left unfed for month . Not even an atempt or offer of food. Milo is quite heathy now, willing to eat everyday if I offered . I guess I'm saying that maybe she'll be okay without eating for a while. Not the best thing but don't give up. Just hang in there, continue to update, but let her be...
GOOD LUCK!!
SWAN*