I have a 4 year old Kenyan sand boa, 99% certain male, about 20" long. Generally he eats once per winter, but once the weather warms up in March he starts back on a weekly eating schedule. He eats live hoppers in his cage. (I've never had a problem with him being hand aggressive and he refuses to eat if he's in a box or a snake bag.)For the past two months, he has let the hopper run in his cage for 2-3 days, then he kills it and lets it sit there and rot. I'm starting to be concerned that he hasn't eaten in a few months, and I was wondering if there was anything else I could try to do to get him to eat without having to resort to force-feeding. He is still active in his cage at night, sometimes in the afternoon, and he still sticks his nose out of the sand during the day as if he's hunting. Should I give him a little longer, or bring him to my herp vet?
Thanks! Lauren and Kanada
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Feeding Issues
Replies (3)
If it is a male, then it wants to breed perhaps. That is what males snakes do - cruise around, refuse food, look for willing females.
That is what it sounds like to me anyway. I don't think you need to worry. See what others say here before you run to the vet.
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Mark
Thank you! I hadn't even thought about mating behaviors!
I wouldn't worry about it. As long has he has good weight he will be fine. I would offer a slightly smaller food items every 2-3 weeks just to see if he starts up again. Once he does, resume your normal feeding schedule. I have had a male go off feed for 7 months, but typical is 3-4.
-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
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