Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 4 months ago my friend took home a beautiful ATB from the petshop he worked at. The problem is, the snake has only eaten on it's own once...a frog. Other than that, mice to frogs to anoles and it's a no-go. The tank is kept humid (sprayed daily), there is stuff to climb, a water bowl, and a hide box...but the ATB mainly just curls up in the substrate in the corner. Anybody else have experiance with this? He's tried to get help at shows and such, talked to many breeders, and all he's gotten out of them is that it's probably wild-caught and will never eat on it's own; regardless of what he does. Any help is very much appreciated.

Chris

Chris, if the snake ate once, it will eat again, wild-caught or not. In order to help, please give us some more information such as how big is the snake, how big is the enclosure, what are the temps, is there any handling going on, how (live, p/k, f/t) and when (morning, afternoon, early evening, night) are the feedings being offered as well as how often. With ammies, I have found that non-feeders (other than neonates) will usually refuse due to stress (poor environmental conditions) or wrong food offering. So with all that said, let us know the specifics of this situation and we can offer suggestions to get your friend's snake feeding again. Just as an example, back in May I got this little beauty and all seemed well with her taking several meals of f/t mice with no problems. Then she just stopped eating. Didn't eat anything for more than a month until I dropped a small live mouse in with her. Soooo, she has been getting live mice all summer long and has just started eating p/k and even f/t mice again. Sometimes they can be frustrating, but there is usually an answer! Billy

>>About 4 months ago my friend took home a beautiful ATB from the petshop he worked at. The problem is, the snake has only eaten on it's own once...a frog. Other than that, mice to frogs to anoles and it's a no-go. The tank is kept humid (sprayed daily), there is stuff to climb, a water bowl, and a hide box...but the ATB mainly just curls up in the substrate in the corner. Anybody else have experiance with this? He's tried to get help at shows and such, talked to many breeders, and all he's gotten out of them is that it's probably wild-caught and will never eat on it's own; regardless of what he does. Any help is very much appreciated.
>>
>>Chris

Cage temps are in the high 80's to low 90's (I've tried getting him to change it already, it's like pulling teeth). It's been offered frogs, live and dead mice, anoles...all without success. It's handled every couple of days, and only seems to be stressed out by it or such when somebody other than my friend handles it (it strikes at everybody but him) I'll try and get him to make sure there's a hidebox at all times, and get him to lower the temps slightly when I see him again. Most of the time, he gets his food at night...round 10pm. I'm not entirely positive as to the size though, but I can find that out. Honestly, I think he's just got the enviroment all wrong, but I don't know much about amazons so I figured I'd get some "expert" advice. Thanx for the help.

Chris
-----
1 senagel chameleon (never sexed)
1 red-tail boa (female)
1 albino corn snake (never sexed)
1 green anaconda (female)

Hey Still Training. I think your temperatures are a little too high. I keep my ATBs between 75-80 and they do great. I would lower the temperature, let yours adjust a couple days, and then try feeding. Hope that helps.

I passed the info on to my friend tonight, and he's going to be getting a lower-wattage bulb, more things to climb, and also get a digital hygrometer and therm. Hopefully it works...if not, you'll be hearing from me again! Thanx again

Chris
-----
1 senagel chameleon (never sexed)
1 red-tail boa (female)
1 albino corn snake (never sexed)
1 green anaconda (female)

Hey Chris, some other suggestions are to make sure there are LOTS of tight hiding spaces both on the ground and elevated. Add some foliage too, as much as possible, like the silk plants with the suction cups. I have found that during their "settling in" period ammies like to have contact on all sides of them while they rest. But the number one rule right now is NO HANDLING!!! Not by your friend or anyone else. My gut feeling is the snake is stressed. I would do all those things, lower the temp a little to 80-85, then wait at least 7 days, 10 might even be better. Then try a small live mouse in the cage about 30 minutes after lights out. Depending on the size of the snake, get something that is no bigger than it's head. Often, they prefer smaller prey items until they are acclimated. Right now, patience and discipline are the keys to getting that snake comfortable enough in it's new environment to start feeding on it's own. Once it's eating (and most of them turn into pigs once acclimated) there will be plenty of time for handling. Good luck! Billy

>>I passed the info on to my friend tonight, and he's going to be getting a lower-wattage bulb, more things to climb, and also get a digital hygrometer and therm. Hopefully it works...if not, you'll be hearing from me again! Thanx again
>>
>>Chris
>>-----
>>1 senagel chameleon (never sexed)
>>1 red-tail boa (female)
>>1 albino corn snake (never sexed)
>>1 green anaconda (female)

Thanx yet again. I'll see what I can do. I'd love to see this snake get acclimated. I'll do everything I can and do whatever it takes to get my friend to make the neccisary changes.

Chris
-----
1 senagel chameleon (never sexed)
1 red-tail boa (female)
1 albino corn snake (never sexed)
1 green anaconda (female)