Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My brothers and I caught a smallish (24 inch or so) Bairds the 1st week of June on a rockcut at Alta Loma. I have had zero success getting it to eat anything. Saturday night it laid four rather large eggs. My question is this, my king eats prior to laying but is this refusal of food normal for a ratsnake? If not, any suggestions as to how to entice her into eating? I've tried live & f/t and she has a hide box, etc. Thanks.

sorry, lack of coffee

>>My brothers and I caught a smallish (24 inch or so) Bairds the 1st week of June on a rockcut at Alta Loma. I have had zero success getting it to eat anything. Saturday night it laid four rather large eggs. My question is this, my king eats prior to laying but is this refusal of food normal for a ratsnake? If not, any suggestions as to how to entice her into eating? I've tried live & f/t and she has a hide box, etc. Thanks.
-----
Chris Harrison

Refusing to eat prior to egg laying is perfectly normal. To get her started up again, try putting a thawed fuzzy mouse inside the hide box with her, and then turn the lights out or cover the cage. I have a wild caught 277 Baird's that is still a bit of a shy feeder even after 3 years. That snake prefers small meals as well. Good luck................Steve G.

I ditto Steve's comments - I've had shy bairdi before. Small mice and a dark quiet cage were the key to getting him to feed.

good luck!

travis

........I'm going to try and pick up a pair of hoppers/fuzzies this afternoon. We'll see how she does.