Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,

I have a male Northern Pine, he is about 14months old, I have had him 12months, he as never missed a feed since being with me until just recently. About 6 weeks ago I gave him 2 weaner rats, he ate one of them without any problems then started on the other one, half way through is second weaner he decided to spit it out, and since then he hasnt excepted any food, I have tried him with everything, weaners, mice, fuzzies, pinkies, day old chicks etc and he wont take anything.
The only change I have made to the vivs over the last month or so is to run them on a stat, my temp in the vivs are spot on 80/82 warm end 75/78 cool end, all my other snakes are feeding fine including my bulls and my female Northern. My male Northern isnt showing any signs of being lathargic he is very active the way he as always been but he will not eat.
Would really appreciate some advice on this if anyone as any to give.
Thanks.

First, pits are known to go off feed.

Second, you may have overfed him. Pits dont eat as much in one sitting as kings or other snakes. Once he spit that one back up, that may have been the start. I hear they are hard to get back to normal after a regurg. Just keep offering him appropriately sized meals until he takes one.
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1.1 Cal Kings
1.1 Northern Pines
1.2 Honduran Boas
0.1 Tangerine Honduran Milks
1.2 Pueblan Milks
1.2 Blue Beauties
1.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons

I have a female Northern who I got the same time as the male, and they have both fed at the same time since having them, apart from at shedding times, the female is still up for food on a regular basis, which is usually every 10 to 14 days. Will continue to try with the male and hopefully he will take something sooner rather than later.
Thanks for the advice.

Like I said, he may just be off-feed. Maybe try leaving him alone with the food, maybe he got shy. I have a boa that ate great but now she will only eat if I leave her prey in overnight. I dont know why.

My pines went off-feed for 6 weeks. I was pretty worried but then feeding resumed. Has he defecated regularly? Had a gopher that didnt defecate for about 7 weeks after feeding, and he didnt eat during that time. Could have something to do with that too.

Good luck!
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1.1 Cal Kings
1.1 Northern Pines
1.2 Honduran Boas
0.1 Tangerine Honduran Milks
1.2 Pueblan Milks
1.2 Blue Beauties
1.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons

He defecated just as he normally does, just not as much. I havent noticed any change in his behaviour or temprament, its just the same as always.
The only change I can really see is that he is losing a bit of weight compared to the female, and he was always bigger than the female, (girth wise) The female is packing the food away and he isnt.
My Gopher can be a fussy feeder at times and go for weeks without (this I am used to) but for my male Northern to stop feeding is something that I thought I would never happen. I tried him again last night with a day old chick thinking that would get him going into a feed response but he wasn't interested.
I will leave him for a week and try again.
Thanks

He's probably just off-feed. It happens. He will resume. I would offer him rats or mice still. I dont think they eat chicks. Next week, try leaving him alone with the prey for a few hours, maybe he just got shy.
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1.1 Cal Kings
1.1 Northern Pines
1.2 Honduran Boas
0.1 Tangerine Honduran Milks
1.2 Pueblan Milks
1.2 Blue Beauties
1.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons

Will try him next week, I have left the food overnight with him and he still dosent take it, but I'll try again.
All of my snakes are keen on a day old chick now and again, including my Northerns, Bulls, Gophers.
Thanks.

Male Northern pines often go on hunger strikes for no apparent reason. While a bit unusual in subadults, I would not be overly concerned as long as the animal has good body weight. I have a six year old male that has refused food for 10 weeks at a time. Sometimes he'd simply push the rats around a bit and then lose interest. He is 8 and 1/2 feet long now and weighs 10 lbs. Sure didn't hurt him too much missing a meal every now and then. Just make sure he has plenty of fresh water to drink............he will come around in time.

Hi,
Thanks for your message.
He as a decent body weight but as lost a little over the fasting period. Hopefully he should start feeding again soon, will keep trying and see what happens.
Thanks.