| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Purplefizz |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 20:30:55
Hi everyone,
Just looking for some advice. I have had my first Royal now for two months and he hasn’t fed yet. I know this is not uncommon but as I am new to keeping pythons I just want to make sure I’m doing everything I can. He is a late CB13, I don’t have an exact date. He is 183gms and housed in a faunarium with hot and cold hides. Temp is at 32 on the hot side and controlled by pulse thermostat. I was told he was feeding well on large mice. When I feed him he may move the mouse around but just stays with his head on it. He is quite active when he is out. Is there anything I’m doing wrong or any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry about the lengthy post.
Thanks Dyane
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alves76 |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 22:31:49
Yea, although mine is eating well for me now, I'm bracing myself for the day I'm asking the same question as you all over again! |
| Purplefizz |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 22:25:13
Gotta love them, testy little characters, Dyane |
| JanieW |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 22:14:51
Sounds like you are doing everything right Fizz. We have a baby Champagne that suddenly decided not to eat after numerous feeds here and now won't even deign to look at a mouse after snatching a few multis..they can be downright awkward at times lol |
| Purplefizz |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 22:09:05
Thanks JanieW, I usually let the mouse defrost at room temperature then put it into hot water, kitchen towel off and then offer. My corns are fed out of the viv but I'm attempting to feed Billy in the faun at the mo.
Dyane |
| JanieW |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 22:04:16
You didn't say how you heat the mouse before offering. for problem feeders I dip the head in hot water (not boiling) or a few seconds before holding it by the tail, using tongs
to offer. |
| Purplefizz |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 21:47:10
Thanks for the reply Alves76,
I'm offering him a large mouse every week as that's what the pet shop were feeding him. I'll try warming it on the heat mat first next time.
Dyane
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| Alves76 |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 21:40:19
I'm a newbie too, but for what it's worth, here's what worked for me at the start when Mr Snake didn't feed for me (and things I learned after)...
- I left her alone for a week. Didn't touch her.
- I heated the rat on a spare heat mat for about 30 mins before feeding (I checked the temp was around 37ºC before offering).
- I held the rat by the scruff off the neck and used the long tongs to bring the rat in front of the entrance to the snake's hide. I made it look like the rat was sniffing and about to enter. Some times she would strike when the rat was outside the entrance, other times I had to poke the head in, but it's worked every time for me since I started that.
The last two have worked well for me. Mr Snake didn't eat well for the first few weeks but did eat after I left her alone for a week, but it was never a strike feed. I just left the rat in overnight and a couple of times it was gone.
The strike feeds happened when I tried the last two points.
It worked for me, but as you'll find here, what works for one person doesn't always work for another. If your husbandry is correct then try it and see. |
| Purplefizz |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 21:32:21
Thanks for the reply Baobab, he's in a faun that's 45cm in length with some greenery as well, at the mo he is quarantined upstairs in the spare room so its quieter, I was going to bring him down at the weekend maybe I should leave him for a while longer.
Dyane |
| Baobab |
Posted - 19/05/2014 : 21:16:15
They can take quite a few months to settle in and start eating again. Temps sound ok. Assuming he has good hides and not to much open space your set up should be fine. You might want to reassess where the faun is situated ie not to much visual traffic or vibrations (speakers, washing machines, fridges etc). Try not to handle very often or offer food too often.
We got a royal that was reportedly a good feeder and was always housed in a rub in their sitting room. She went over three months without any interest in food. We decided to move her out of our sitting room into a viv in our quieter rep room and within a couple of days tried ripping a rat in half she took it so strongly.
Keep an eye on any weight loss, have patience, percevier and try not to get stressed. Good luck. |
