Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 5 or so month old jungle. She was feeding once a week on frozen mice. alittle over 2 weeks ago she ate a small mouse which was a good size meal for her but she had no problems with it. She has refused food last week, which I figure no problem that was a good size meal for her I will give her another week. I tried last night. No dice she wasn't having it at all. I was keeping her in an inclosue that was way to big for her, but she was doing fine. after last night I moved her into a shoe box sized rubbermaid box. how long should I let her adjust to her smaller quaters before I try to feed her again. She also didn't have a very strong feeding responce when food was introduced previous to her refusing food. She was more curious about it if I let the mouse touch her that would prevoke her to strike at it. Also she used to strike,constrict and hold on to it then let it go and eat it. Then she went to striking it wraping it up and letting it go almost emmediately. then hovering over it for a while then finally eating it.I keep her temps at 84 F and 45% RH. I had 2 balls and a burm. I never ran into a problem like this with either of my balls. The Burm was the machine. Anyway I was wanting some suggestions and as much information as people would be will to write.Thanks-Chuck

First of all, don't panic about the JCP not eating. Snakes go through different stages, and will generally eat when they are ready.

Moving her to a smaller box is a good idea. She obviously felt insecure in her bigger one, which is why she would squeeze and let go immediately.

Don't go from mice to rats. A JCP feeding on rats is a good idea, as they are more nutritious (often, JCPs have a tendency to abscond from rats).

Leave her a week, making sure her temps range from 75-85 deg far. An accurate indoor/outdoor max/min digital thermometer is a must for non-feeding snakes. You can place the probe in her smaller case, and then there is no need to disturb her to check temps. Temps are the main reason snakes don't eat. Don't handle her. The idea is to make her feel as secure as possible.

Try feeding her in the dark. JCP's are nocturnal, and naturally hunt at night. Hold the food with a long pair of tongues. This means that she will detect less heat from your hand (which is threatening) and more from the rat.

How are you thawing the food? Try placing the rat in a sealed bag, and into some warm (but not hot) water. Leave until completely heated through (this normally takes about 20 mins, depending on size). Try taking the food to the snake in the bag, in some warm water, in a bowl. This means the rat will not cool down in between you taking it out, and getting it to your JCP.

Another method often suggested (though i've never had much luck with it) is called braining. Try warming the rat, and then, with some small scissors, slicing the skull open and squeezing some of the brain fluid out. Yes, this is completely disgusting, but snakes find it alluring on the nose.

How long is your JCP? if she is more than 2 feet, try feeding small weaner rats. These have a good coat of fur on them, which is also appealing to snakes. They are about 5 cm long (2 inches). Whilst they may seem big, snakes can easily digest large prey, up to 3 times the width of their neck, providing temps are adequate.

One last thing to consider - weigh her now, and, after each week of non-feeding, weigh her again. Ensure she is not losing too much weight. Her spine should not be noticeable.

Just to reiterate - don't worry about her not eating. A 5 month old JCP should be well-enough built to easily last 6 weeks without food. At about a month, get concerned. Read over the forums, do a search for feeding, there is a wealth of information available here.

Cheers. Aaron.
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1 Bearded Dragon - Pogona Vitticeps
1 Central Netted Dragon - Ctenophorus Nuchalis
1 Coastal Carpet Python - McDowelli
1 Jungle Python - Cheynei
3 Northern Blue Tongues

Thanks for the help

I moved her into a sweater box. I have a min/max digital thermometer and hyrgrometer. and am using a proportional thermometer from big apple. The hot side is 84 degrees and the cool side is 74 degrees. She has been coiled up at the top of the perch in the middle of the box with her head burried in the middle of her body and hasn't moved at all. She is been there day and night. which I guess is a good thing she would hide all day in her old enclosue and only come out at night. I put a hide in the sweater box but she seems content were she is. I got a digital scale to weigh her. I don't want to try to handle her to weigh her. I am just taking the advice and leaving her alone. I am going to have to myst the box soon but it has been holding humidity really well. When I try to feed her at the end of the week should I just feed her in the box I used to feed her in a seperate container which is why I am asking but I think it would be less stress on her if I left her there. once again thanks for the help. Chuck

Sounds like you've got it all under control!

I would feed her in the same enclosure. This way she will feel more secure. Just remember though, when she is feeding regularly, some recommend switching to a feeding tank to stop snakes becomming used to feeding time simply because her door is opened. I don't feel it is necessary as, with regular handling, a snake will know that "door open" doesn't equal "food". Just a tip... whenever i open the doors to my enclosures, i touch my snakes lightly with a handling rod, just so they know i'm there. This way there is no confusion as to who is the food... and who is the boss

To weigh mine when they're not feeding, i just place a light bulb box in the enclosure, right near their heads. Often they just coil up inside it whilst i hold it. This way you can lift them out whilst they still feel like they are in hiding.

Remember - don't use mice if you can avoid it. If you can't get her to eat rats anymore, defrost a mouse and rub it on the rat. This is called scenting, and may trigger the appetite.

Good Luck!
Cheers

BTW... nice snake.

I have beenfeeding her mice this whole time I was going to switch to rat pinkys, but then she quit eating. Should I try to give her a rat pinky instead of a mouse. I just figured I would stick w/ mice until she is eating again. I could try a rat pinky scented w/ a mouse. what ever you think is best. I wasn't going to I just didn't want to complicate things. She still hasn't move off her spot. I will try the light bulb container trick. Can you give me an idea of what ok weight loss is per week. I will weigh her tonight. Thanks again for all your help. - Chuck

I got her on the scale she is 67kg. She was pretty alert when I took the lid off. I was thinking she is probally only about 3 or 4 months old, not six I am not sure were or why I said six . I don't exactly know how old she was when I got her, but she was pretty little, soo not very old. I am worried about her weight being a problem with her age. -Chuck

As far as weight loss is concerned, it should be minimal. Do a search for weight loss (there should be a 'search' button above) to see what is acceptable for a snake your size.

Also do a search for feeding questions.

All you need to know is already listed in these forums.

Cheers