Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all. I have just recieved my first gray-banded (which also happens to be my first snake), and although I may be worrying about it too much, she hasn't eaten with me yet. According to the place I got it from she was already feeding on frozen day old pinkies, and it's been maybe 1.5 weeks since last feed. I figured that she would go right up for food (since she has been wandering around the enclosure, active) but have only recently discovered by word-of-mouth they are finiky eaters. Does anyone have suggestions or am I too anxious. I have currently left the pinkie in front of the hide spot where she usually comes and goes but she just either bypasses it or turns to another exit. please help!

What is your heating situation? It should be around 80'to 85' on the warm side, and a little cooler on the cool side. Is it in shed? How did you thaw your pinky mouse? Don't panic. Snakes can go awhile without eating. Derek

she is currently in a 15 gallon long tank, and the heating is around 82 on the hot side and around 72 on the low side (this is done with lamps, not an undertank heat pad). however, i cannot get the heat to go up more than that on both sides without buying stronger bulbs (should I get stronger bulbs or a heating pad?). i do not believe she is in shed, but alas, i have only had her for 3 days and am on the "discovery tour" to find out what i am doing. she has been sometimes rubbing herself on the driftwood in the enclosure and also on me when i hold her.

i thawed the pinkie out in a bowl of warm water for around 10 minutes (more than enough time to soften) and over the course of trying to offer the pinkie to her i "brained" the pinkie. I was told by a friend to leave the pinkie in front of the hiding spot, but shes just curled up near it ignoring it. i'm not sure how long to leave the pinkie there, as I don't want it to rot in the cage dunno how long this would take). should i leave it overnight and hopefully she'll eat, or should i put her in a deli cup with it for awhile?

i'll keep it in mind not to panic, but as a newb i get leeway right?

mine's the same way... sometimes eats one, sometimes two, sometimes none.

teasing may help. just don't freak out. he's probably still getting used to his new home. it may take a while.

Walt