Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently got a white yearling male from Jerry. I've had him since Sept 16. He hasn't eaten yet and by my count its been 5 weeks! I've triend scenting fuzzies with tuna and green tree frogs. His skin isn't sagging or anything, he's still drinking and going to the bathroom. I thought he ate once, but the little $*@& mouse was hidding by the heat rock. I've left the snake alone for about 2 weeks solid now. I've changed the water every sunday as there is no defacation in it...I keep the humidity around 70%. Night temp is about 67 and day is about 79-78...

I'm losing sleep over this and Jerry seems to be getting annoyed with all my questions. I keep hearing that the altitude change is why he hasn't eaten yet, as I live in Wyoming. So I guess I'm turning to others for suggestions. I'm about to put a pinky down him myself...I guess I don't want to be another of these "starved himself to death" stories. Suggestions or comments are welcome...good or bad.

Hey,

Try a hopper instead of a pinkie...also try "cupping" the snake with the hopper.

Let me know if you have never 'cupped'.

Good luck, i feel for you.

However, to be honest, 5 weeks is NOTHING for candoia to go off feed. I have a large female australis that was off- feed for 5 months with no ill effects. Then one day, she just started eating again.

Hang in there!

j
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John R. Stebbins
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1.1 Candoia bibroni australis
0.2 Candoia carinata carinata
1.0 Candoia paulsoni
2.0 elaphe guttata guttata

i gotta agree. mine decides every little while i dont want your mouse, and lets it sit. it was horrible originally, making friends with an anole. the damn thing slept on the snake! candoias eat every 2 to 3 weeks as it is, so 5 isnt horrible. if you let it sit for a little longer, itll most likely eat with no problems.

I don't know what cupping is. Just put them in a small container together?

I'm offering him medium sized fuzzies...

Try small hoppers, I have had success with them over fuzzies.

Yes, cupping is just placing the two together (overnight) in a deli cup.

But, again, 5 weeks is not a long time for Candoia to be off feed.
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John R. Stebbins
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4.3 Candoia bibroni australis
0.2 Candoia carinata carinata
1.0 Candoia paulsoni
2.2 elaphe guttata guttata

Jerry is having surgery soon. SO he may be a little frazzled. But knowing Jerry. He has had Candoia for years. He has one adult female that went off feed for several months at a time. I had a boa that used to go off feed for three months a year. But 5 weeks is not to bad. I agree Putting them in a smaller container will help. Todd
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www.hybridhaven.net

Ok, so I've tried tree frogs, fuzzy mice, pinky mice and an anole with no luck yet. I don't really know if he could choke down a hopper...Last I knew he ate was around the 1st of Sept just before Jerry shipped him to me (8 weeks!). Could it be the air temperature? I have a heat pad to keep the bottom of the rubbermaid warm, but should I get a lamp for air temp? Remember, I'm in WY...the icebox of the US.... Could he e critical yet?

Not critical yet, IMO.

Can you describe your setup in detail? Temps, humidity, substrate, enclosure, ect.

-j
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John R. Stebbins
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4.3 Candoia bibroni australis
0.2 Candoia carinata carinata
1.0 Candoia paulsoni
2.2 elaphe guttata guttata

small rubbermaid with plenty of holes. humidity is usually at 70-80 percent, i usually have to mist once daily or every other day. 78-80 degrees, newspaper on ground. water bowl. I thought of tryig a bss substrate, but Jerry said newspaper worked for him. I'm trying to make it like Jerry had him. I've put a hide in on the cool end where he usually hangs, but he hasn't gone in it, so i took it out. Should I put it back and just leave it? His skin isn't folded or sagging yet. I think the elevation and climte change may have made him think its a winter season....I also have a small dlei cup with some moss in it that I mist. Jerry said it may stimulate his appetite.