Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As a rescue operator I have a lot more background in bigger herps like igs, boas, pythons, etc that are commonly given up, and still consider myself a novice with milks. I've heard pueblans are not the heartiest eaters and my pair are certainly proving the truth in that statement. It's not unusual for them to skip 2 or three feedings in a row. They aren't unhealthy, they appear very responsive and seem to exibit normal behavior, but they certainly could be much fatter than they are.

I've heard scenting the mice (I only feed F-T) with a lizard can help because they eat lizards in the wild, but have yet to try it. Any other suggestions....or is this behavior fairly normal for pueblans?
-----
Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

First be sure they are warm enough, if they are kept at a cooler temp then it will take a little longer to digest the last meal. Not too warm though, that can have a reverse effect too.

I definately would not start the scenting thing just yet, it could prove to be a disaster causing your snakes to want only scented food items.

Another idea is to go ahead and cool them down for a month or two, just to sorta reset them. If you do, remember that they need to have passed all previous meals before cooling. Sometimes a cooling period will cause them to have a new found lust for life and act like a different snake.

MS

Thanks for the advice MS. I do give most all of my own snakes (mostly corns, a couple kings and sinoloans that are pets and part of our rescue's rep-ed program) a cooling period every winter and like you said, it really helps them cycle better. I was getting a little worried about giving my pueblans too long of a cooling period if they aren't too plump as it is, but maybe a shorter cooling period will do just the trick.
-----
Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

It may help, I hope it does.

Hey I used to play 2nd row and #8 man. What position do you play?

I used to have a number of Pueblans. I can tell you that they are affected by seasons. It is not surprising that yours are not eating everything in sight this time of year.

I agree that a short cooling period is a good approach. I would even go for 6 weeks as long as the snakes look like they are doing fine.

During early Spring, your opinion might change. The females will likely eat like crazy. The males might eat alot then stop during the normal breeding season. You'd be surprised at how little food can sustain a male the whole year.
-----
Mark G
Collection:
Assorted CA rosies
A few Ariz mtn kings