Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a captive born 3' Mojave that hasn't eaten in over six weeks. Probably a male, but not positive. Former owner told me to feed him in darkness and place the warmed frozen thawed or fresh killed mouse right in front of him. I've tried mice and rats without success. He had a perfect one-piece shed about three weeks ago. I keep him at 80-82 degrees daytime and 78 at night. Please tell me at what temperature, humidity, he should be kept and whatever I might try before he dies. He is losing body weight, as evidenced by skin folds so I need to do something fast. I have kept all types of boas and pythons to include Emerald Tree Boas and Green Tree Pythons without difficulty. Thanks!

can you give more info???
Is the snake kept alone? what type of enclosure?(attch pic?)
how long have you had him?
what type of bedding do you have it on?
Have you tried live mice or rat pups?
do you use any type of lighting?
what type of heat source?
any sign of mites or other parasites?
is he kept in a room without alot of "traffic"?

all info helps to give correct advise-even Dr. Laura can't give good advise on relationships without getting the full picture.
LOL!
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norcalsnakemaster@comcast.net

Caged alone in a 3' neodesha.
Hasn't eaten since I've had him (six-seven weeks).
Newspaper bedding and a hide box. Water always present.
Tried live mice (one at a time). Will not strike day or night. Will not strike at dead prey on tongs when presented day or night, either.
Full spectrum flourescent lamp, 12 hours on and 12 off.
Heat pad under portion of cage. 78 at night (room temperature), 80-82 daytime.
No mites or ticks. Not sure about internal parasites, but he's captive born/bred.
No traffic, as he's in a closet. I check on him twice a day and change water one of those times.

Our scutulatus have cool areas of their cage that are in the low to mid 70's daytime but basking areas that reach the upper 80's and intermediate zones in between. Our mojaves will actively bask in temps that reach 90 for short periods of time. Night temps drop to the low to mid 70's. Your problem could be as simple as that. I also found out that once our mojaves were set up in naturalistic vivaria, that they did much better (rock caves/crevices on both warm and cool sides). Try using an overhead heat source too.

Rob Carmichael, Curator of the Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Caged alone in a 3' neodesha.
>>Hasn't eaten since I've had him (six-seven weeks).
>>Newspaper bedding and a hide box. Water always present.
>>Tried live mice (one at a time). Will not strike day or night. Will not strike at dead prey on tongs when presented day or night, either.
>>Full spectrum flourescent lamp, 12 hours on and 12 off.
>>Heat pad under portion of cage. 78 at night (room temperature), 80-82 daytime.
>>No mites or ticks. Not sure about internal parasites, but he's captive born/bred.
>>No traffic, as he's in a closet. I check on him twice a day and change water one of those times.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I've just changed the heater so the temperature will be 82-88 for 12 hours and off (75-76) at night. I will try to feed him a heated frozen thawed rat pup tomorrow night in the dark. He was not put into hibernation last winter. Thanks for your help!

Hello: You mentioned that he is losing body weight and he has folds of skin. Sounds like a parasite or virus problem and you need a vet and also need to keep it away from your other snakes in your collection FAR AWAY.

Dan