Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got two beutiful yearling bloods. One of them is tiny (not much more than 12" long). This little blood has not eaten on her own ever. I force feed her every other week 1 small mouse. I have tried every trick in the book:
*live rat pups presented in many ways
*live mice
*dead mice and rats
*opening mouse heads
*every thing
Do some snakes just never eat? WHAT DO I DO!

Please respond and give me a hand. thank you very much for any advice you can give me.

In some cases farmed bloods will not take rodents, try dipping a rodent in unsalted chicken broth. That will usually work. My baby blood was taking mice right out of my hand for the first month or so but after she shed she will no longer eat in front of me. I put her in a really small pet carrier with a fresh killed mouse and leave the room, she eats every time. Good luck, Eric-

Hey,
You can try using chick down, or even baby chicks (f/t or live). Preferably f/t. I've also had some very difficult feeders recently, take f/t rat fuzzies from the forceps. I present the food very late at night (warmed in hot water till thawed, but not cooked), when the lights are low and the house is very quiet.
-Angel
-----
In life you can fall many times, but you're only a failure, if you don't try to get back up!
Evil Canevil

N.Y.snakeguy,
I was wondering what the set up was for your animals.Usually bloods don't eat due to BASIC HUSBANTRY RELATED REASONS.....The 3 H's HEAT,HUMIDITY,HIDEBOX equals SECURITY.
1.Does your blood feel secure?
2.Are there more than one tight fitting hides?
3.Are the temps right on?
4.Is the humidity at 80%?
5.Is the enclosure too big or made out of glass?
6.If your using newspaper substrate try a deeper natural substrate that they could burrow in.
Did you try feeding befor you went to bed and just LEFT the food at the entrance of it's hide? Good Luck Keep us posted.Ash Lopez
-----

NYsnakeguy - where are you located? I'm upstate, near Albany. That said, what are you keeping the non feeder in...and what are you using for substrate? Temps? Does it have a snug hide? Are you leaving it alone between feeding attempts, or are you handling? How often are you offering food?

i have a blood that will let a rat crawl all over her, but once i cover the tank up, turn off the light, and leave the room she kills it fast as lightning. she's the only one that is like that. doesnt like to have an audience when killing. doesnt mind it when she is eating, though.
-----

0.0.1 Colombian Redtail Boa
1.1.1 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python

Thanks a lot i will try your tips and keep you posted.

Also for hhmoore I live upstate as well in slingerlands

She finally took the mouse on her own when i scented it with chicken broth.

Thank you all so much for the help