Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had three adult Saharan sand boas for about four months. They will not eat. I have tried all sizes of live mice, dead mice and hamsters. The first day I had them one grabbed a live mouse and started swallowing after constriction. The snake spit out the mouse and never showed any interest on eating again. HELP

They will usually take live fuzzy mice more readily than frozen mice or larger mice.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I have 1.2 adults. The male was acquired as a LTC about 5 years ago and the 2 females were picked up as fresh imports about the same time. All three took to f/t adult mice right away. Mine seem to be shy eaters though. I leave an appropriate sized thawed mouse in their enclosure over-night and it is usually gone by morning.

Are you feeding in the cage? Have you tried to leave it over-night? Trying a smaller food item (like Chris H said) is a good idea.

Best of luck!
-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Using a 30 ml syringe attached to 3/16 in plastic tubing I force fed beaten egg into each of the three Saharan sand boas. They didn't bite. I used this method to force feed three rough scaled boas which started to voluntarily eat pinkies after a few days.

I wouldn't force feed them unless they were near death. The stress of force feeding often makes them less likely to eat in the future.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

All three snakes shed there skins yesterday. After force feeding snakes egg. in my experience, they shed skins and start eating.