| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Soupy |
Posted - 01/07/2013 : 20:23:40
Got a 7 month female 6 weeks ago called Lilleth. Currently housed in an exo terra viv (45x 45x45), ambient air temp 27- 28c , basking spot at 32c heated by a mat with a thermostat. She appears in good health, captive bred, handles well and is docile. Prior to purchase, was living in a RUB on a mat and was always drop fed. She shed in the 2nd week after getting her and again in the 4th week which we googled and think was a growth spurt. She was 470g on purchase and has lost 10 g in weight. We have been unable to get her to eat in the entire time that we have owned her. We have replicated what the breeder was doing, tried braining, zombie dancing, warming the mouse next to the viv, different types of food from large mice, rat wearers and rat pups but are unable to tempt her. We are trying weekly at dusk. We have read loads of care sheets on the forums, for a supposed simple snake to keep, we are aware they can be stressful and can sometimes refuse food. We are not handling her at the present. Should we be as concerned as we are or are we being impatient? Has any one got any advice or tips? Thanks in advance.
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| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Soupy |
Posted - 11/07/2013 : 19:53:09
viv built, ceramics all set up. So what is the best thermostat to use i have a habistat 600watt pulse proportional and a habistat temperature thermostat, 300watt?
A lot of conflicting opinions on the net.
Cheers guys. |
| Soupy |
Posted - 06/07/2013 : 10:01:24
No problem. |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 05/07/2013 : 21:16:36
Sounds like quite the overhaul. Pics when it's done or it didn't happen. |
| Soupy |
Posted - 02/07/2013 : 20:48:56
Viv ordered, ceramic bulb, holder, guard, door lock all on the way. I have hides, water dishes, hygrometer, temp gauges, bedding and a pulse stat, anything else needed? I hope not as I'm now skint.
Cheers.
Soupy. |
| carlb1981 |
Posted - 02/07/2013 : 19:14:52
Ceramics are best i find for heating up ambient temp as well as hotspot, and you can't run infrared bulb on a pulse stat |
| Soupy |
Posted - 02/07/2013 : 17:38:12
Pooed once and it was a whopper, sides and top of the viv are covered, not to sure what a dimmer stat is , but I will look in to it. Is it possible to run a mat and an infrared bulb off a Habistat pulse thermostat? I think I might get a new viv and start from scratch as the exo terra with a lamp sat on top is gonna look horrendous, any recomendations on the best set up i.e ceramics infared bulb etc, gonna be a 3foot wooden viv though. |
| carlb1981 |
Posted - 02/07/2013 : 15:32:54
Just a question about the weight loss, has she pooed since you got her? 10g isn't a lot to worry about with a snake that size 10% or more of her weight and you need to start worrying. id say a 75w bulb should be sufficient to heat a 45 cube exo terra and using a dimmer stat to control it. maybe try covering the sides of the viv with card or something so that its just the front she can see out of and check the humidity with a digital hygrometer to make sure your not losing too much with the mesh lid, if you are try covering some of that too. |
| JoeJ |
Posted - 02/07/2013 : 14:26:21
are the lights stated? and I would try a day old chick, making the chick hot before feeding is also a good idea. |
| Soupy |
Posted - 02/07/2013 : 06:50:46
Cheers for all the replies. So if I added an exo terra light dome and infrared basking lamp, what wattage bulb would I need? |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 01/07/2013 : 23:20:55
Hi, not sure I've said welcome to the forum so welcome to the forum. Don't worry too much about feeding right away, they can go ages without with no issues.
I would firstly question your temperatures. Heat mats don't do anything of significance to ambient air temp (or cold end temp). How are you measuring/setting your temperatures?
Secondly Royals are quite shy beasts and require somewhere to feel secure. It can be beneficial to provide them with a hide and also to black out the tub for a while as they settle in, only gradually removing the black out in time. Hides don't need to be fancy, A box with a hole in it will do.
Those are the first ports of call with a non feeder in my opinion, you'll soon have it demolishing rats so don't worry. I've never heard of one that never ate again.
Them opening their mouth is a sign of yawning or simply realigning their jaw, snakes do not ever feel hungry, not like we do anyway, if food is present and the curcumstances are right they will eat every time, if they aren't quite happy with something they'll happily go without.
This is all part of the fun of having a royal, you develop a deep bond with them going through these trials and when they eat its very rewarding. |
| Soupy |
Posted - 01/07/2013 : 21:14:58
Same substrate, plenty of hides, tried a few different methods of heating the food and left it overnight, not tried fish oils though.
She opens her mouth wide when being handled and in her viv, which is apparently a sign of hunger.
Cheers for replies. |
| Soupy |
Posted - 01/07/2013 : 21:07:20
Some pics of Lillith and met Edgar the corn.
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| herriotfan |
Posted - 01/07/2013 : 20:48:10
Have you got her on the same substrate? Have you got plenty of hides for her?
Something as simple as a change in such a thing can stress a snake out. It's best to try and replicate their 'normal' home as much as possibly until she's feeding, shedding etc on a regular basis then you can start to personalise it to your tastes. It may sound a silly thing but snakes do stress easily over what we might see as the silliest things.
Have you tried different methods of warming the food such as heating the head with a quick blast of a hair drier, defrosting in warm water and serving wet, scenting with fish oil (tuna, salmon etc)?
Some snakes will only eat in the dark, have you left her food in with her overnight? Maybe just leave the mouse/rat on top of her favourite hide overnight?
I hope that's given you a few things to consider and fingers crossed one of them will work. If not come back and we'll try to offer more ideas.
I'm sure some of the other members would also have some suggestions to add.... |
| Foremand |
Posted - 01/07/2013 : 20:41:17
Don't be alarmed. Royals then to be a pain in the royal rear to feed.
Have you tried braining? Split in the head? They like the smell of it an attracts them. Keep checking the weight as long as he don't lost a massive amount hell take it in time. |
