Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

Since my male died i recently got at new male of Boiga Dendrophila Gemmicincta. He was smaller than my other male (only about 60 cm) but othervise looked alert and maybe a little skinny but nothing seríous.
I fed him 5 days after getting him home and he ate 3 small mouse jumpers from forceps.
Since i have not been able to get him to feed. About a month now and he is beginning to look a little skinny and not being so alert anymore and he quickly runs out of energy.
I think i have tried just about anything.
I tried mice and rats in various sizes (The only petstore dealing with small lizards, frogs etc has been closed due to relocation - opens next thursday so of course i go there to se what i can find).
I tried feeding from forceps,
in seperate cage,
leaving food in the cage overnight,
leaving food and snake in a box overnight,
moving him to smaller enclosure,
split open the head of the food,
holding behind head and put food in his mouth,
changing day/night temperature

anyone have any sugestion to what i can try? It would be greatly appreciated )

Thank You

You might try chicks, or if the snake isn't large enough yet, try scenting with chicken broth. I've bought unsalted chicken broth and actually heated the broth like I do water and defrosted the rodent in it. That may work. Mangrove's have the fastest metabolisms that I have ever experienced, and my dendrophila dendrophila has never refused a meal but will only eat when it is completely dark and completely alone. Not sure what your snake room is like but if there is visible movement or noise that may be the problem. I have also noticed that they stress far easier than my other snakes, and if they don't have a proper hide, or feel insecure they may not eat. I would address that if it could be a problem. Good luck, Eric-

If that fails as well, then u might have to consider assist-feeding. Gently but firmly hold ur snake's head by the sides and pop a small-sized chick or mouse into its mouth by gently nudging it in slowly or prying open the mouth with smtg like a small stick first.Pop the head of the chick or mouse into the snake's mouth and let it clamp. If u're lucky, it will get the cue and start swallowing. Attempt this several times more. IOf it fails, then u'll have to force feed. If done properly it's not a bad thing. Let me know if it works if not i'll explain how to force-feed.

thank you for your replies.

At night my snakeromm is completely silent and dark. And it has plenty of hidingspots in the enclosure so dont think the snake is stressed.

I have tried "assisting" it but it doesnt seem to get the point *S*

I tried scenting with chicken last night, but no luck. I have a deadline running until next friday. If it has not eaten by then i'll have to begin forcefeeding.

I have forcefed other snakes before, but thank you for offering to explain how to do it
As long as the snake is only this small i'm using a pinkypump...

but thanks again for your replies !

Hefte: And talking fast metabolism, you should see my Thrasops Jacksonii, their metabolism is even faster than my boiga's *S*

Is this a wc snake?

No the snake is CB from 04...
I have other animals from same seller and they work with no problem