Reptile & Amphibian Forums

a few weeks ago I got a baby San Diego Gopher.it was eating adult mice like nothing.but these last two weeks,it accepts the mice but it later vomits them back out.I haven't changed anything.if you can help me please do.

We need more details about your set up. Temps are important, size of the cage and how much you handle the snake too. When a snake vomits you should not offer it any food for 2 weeks. Make sure it has plenty of clean water. Tom Stevens

Is the snake vomiting or regurgitating?
Vomit originates from the lower digestive tract and is primarily digested matter, while regurgitation occurs prior to the food item reaching the lower digestive tract and the food item is undigested.
Stress, incorrect temperatures and excessive handling often lead to regurgitation, whereas vomiting most often harbors an internal pathogen association..

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

I think what is wrong is exactly what you have said: You are feeding adult mice to a baby San Diego gopher!

A baby pit should not be eating adult mice. That is why the snake is puking!

Like someone else said...wait too weeks before feeding again. Baby gophers should be getting fed fuzzy mice or something similar.

Also...how long is this snake?

Billy
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Genesis 1:1

I keep the snake at 90 and at75 at night. the snake is 26'' long and it is throwing up whole mice not digested mice.what is wrong?

Pits cannot tolerate those temperatures for long. Hot side should be no more than 82*F. Cool side, if possible 74-76*F. Good luck, but you need to change some things if your snake is going to survive.
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Tim

Tim nailed this one, as the temperatures within your enclosure are much too high, leading to heat stress.
Lower the high end to no more than 80-82*F and the low end to 70-72*F.
Also, avoid feeding the snake for at least another 7 - 10 days, as regurgitation allows some of the digestive fluids to enter the esophagus and this creates quite a bit of irritation which may cause the snake to regurgitate again, even with correct temperatures...

Good luck,

Jeff

PS: The snake regurgitated, as the food item had yet to reach the lower digestive tract before being brought back up..
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Yeah...that temp fluctuation of 90 and then down to 75 is too much and that alone could cause regurg. Then...the fact the snake is being kept at 90 degrees to begin with is way too hot. Like others said, pits do not need high temps and 82 is great. I keep mine usually at appr. 78-80 and they do great. Also...like someone else said..wait 7-10 even 14 days before feeding again as the snake needs to regain stomach acids. If fed before then...the chance of regurging is very big.

Also...if the snake is 26 inches long, and if you are truly feeding him adult mice..then that needs to stop as well for the good and welfare of the snake. Something like big fuzzies or better yet, hoppers, would be great for him. Adult mice is way, way too big. Remember, just because IF he is able to do eat that does not make it the best thing to do. That would be like someone who loves pizza trying to eat two 16 inch pizzas at once. There is a very small chance they could but if they did, they most likely would be throwing up everywhere afterwards.

Take care and keep us posted!

Billy
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Genesis 1:1

thanks to everyone for all the help.the snake is back to normal now.