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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
 Posted - 27/06/2012 : 19:47:02
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Hi guys,
Was wondering if anyone can help me. I have a young female royal python and since she has been with me, she has never been interested in anything I have offered her food wise and she has never ever struck for a rat or mouse. All food I have offered has been frozen and thawed. I cant offer live food because it is illegal to do so. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks |
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 19:59:39
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hi
how long have you had her?
what is the set up she is in?
what are your hot and cold end temps? |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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carlb1981
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1527 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 20:05:10
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| Mine was like that and still doesn't strike food i have to leave it in viv and cover front with a towel and leave him to it |
3.3.0 Royals,Yellow Belly -Marty,Fire YB-Fred,Mojave-Mo,Butter Pinstripe-Betty,Pewter-Newt,Normal-Molly
0.1.0 Snow Cornsnake- Lumi
1.1.0 Hypo Sonoran Dwarf Boa-Bart and Maggie
0.1.0 Albino Pine Snake-Ruby
1.0.0 Bredli Python-Brian
1.0.0 Western Hognose-Hal
1.0.0 Kayuadi Retic-Kaa
0.1.0 Honduran Milksnake-Jubbly
1.1.0 Salmon Boas-Hershey and Sam
0.2.0 Leopard Geckos-Spot and Chocolate
1.4.0 Dune Geckos
0.1.0 Beardie-Cookie
0.3.7 Tarantulas
0.0.1 Pandinus Imperator/emperor scorpion
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 20:39:11
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I have had her since around Feb/March time, I have set my habistat to 34 degrees C at the hot end, thats the highest it will go, its a heat mat im using, and the dimensions of the set up is 30" long, but I have cut it off at 18" as I was told not to have too much space available at once, 8" tall and 15" wide (front to back)quote:
Originally posted by blackskull
hi
how long have you had her?
what is the set up she is in?
what are your hot and cold end temps?
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 20:42:10
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I tried that and it was still there the next day. I have tried braining them, cutting them open to reveal blood, heating them all over and just the head so she can sense it. The only way we can get food in to her is to hold her behind the head and rub the nose of the rodent against the side of her mouth so it opens and push the head of the rodend into her throat. She will spit it out a few times but eventually she eats them. I was told to try this by a friend who is a keen snake keeper but I dont want to have to hand feed her for her whole life.quote:
Originally posted by carlb1981
Mine was like that and still doesn't strike food i have to leave it in viv and cover front with a towel and leave him to it
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 20:43:00
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how old and big is she?
have to tried heating the food with hair drier, braining the food, leaving the food in over night |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 20:45:57
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Well ive had her since Feb/March time and she was around 5 months old when I got her. Thats what I was told by the people at the shop. And yes I have tried all that.quote:
Originally posted by blackskull
how old and big is she?
have to tried heating the food with hair drier, braining the food, leaving the food in over night
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 20:50:49
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don't know how much more help i can be the above has always worked for me, even live feeding but thats another story.
whats your cold side temps? maybe the ambient temps are too cold |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 20:54:08
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I doubt it, I have cut the enclosure off at 18" long so i don't think she will be too cold. Im really starting to worry about her because since I have had her she has eaten what I have been putting down her throat but not gaining much weight. At one point she lost 1 gram. quote:
Originally posted by blackskull
don't know how much more help i can be the above has always worked for me, even live feeding but thats another story.
whats your cold side temps? maybe the ambient temps are too cold
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 21:01:58
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| the trouble with heat mats is that they are contact heaters and wont heat the air in the viv, so the viv will be about the same temp as the room it is in. so there is a chance the cold side and the ambient temps could be low |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 21:04:33
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I heard about that but when I unclip the lid and open it, the air inside is deffinately warmer that the air in the room. I can feel the heat change as I put my hands in to her enclosure. Do you know of anyone who may be able to help me?quote:
Originally posted by blackskull
the trouble with heat mats is that they are contact heaters and wont heat the air in the viv, so the viv will be about the same temp as the room it is in. so there is a chance the cold side and the ambient temps could be low
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 21:05:44
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| kelf might be able to help he had trouble with a young royal a while back |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 21:11:14
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Would you be able to put him in touch with me? I dont know how to use this as I only registered 2 hours agoquote:
Originally posted by blackskull
kelf might be able to help he had trouble with a young royal a while back
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 21:15:02
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| he is a mod on here so im sure he will see this thread, i dont think the email system works on here |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 21:17:43
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Ok thank you. If you come across anyone else who you think may be able to help me, please point them in my direction.quote:
Originally posted by blackskull
he is a mod on here so im sure he will see this thread, i dont think the email system works on here
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Jayde
Yearling
United Kingdom
291 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 21:45:54
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I know this is a shot in the dark but have you checked that she doesn't have mites, or maybe even take a faeces sample to have it checked for parasites?
All the stuff that been suggested previously all sounds good, and if you say you have tried the other methods, and have had no luck then it could be worth it just to check it isn't something like that, that's the base of the problem. Do you know if she was CB, CF or WC?
The only other thing I could offer as a suggestion is scenting the food, trying chicks (although not ideal as they aren't as nutritionally sufficient but may kick start feeding) and just persevering with the other methods maybe sticking to one each week for a month or so to get her used to how the food is going to be offered, as they are shy creatures.
How often are you offering food to her atm?
Are you assist feeding each time food is offered or only on random feeds?
What prey size are you offering as general rule of thumb is nothing larger than their biggest girth size, or 10/15% of body weight.
What was her weight when you purchased her?
Whats her current weight?
What has been her weight loss since being with you?
You mention that she lost 1 gram at one point. I'm not sure if this is a typo, but 1 gram is nothing in terms of losing weight. They will loose if read posts were snakes have lost anything between 5 - 25 grams just from pooping! especially if they dont poop weekly / fortnightly. Some members snakes only poop once every few months!
Also if you posted a picture, we could have a look at how she looks on a whole, as body shape can help determine how their weight is affecting general health.
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 22:05:17
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I regularly look at her and see if I can spot any mites but I cant see any. I think she was captive bred. I haven't had a faeces check done as of yet but I will look into that. I feed her once a week or once every 9-10 days, depending on the size of the rodent she ate before. I am giving her one fluff and one pinkie normally, last feed was 2 days ago and she ate 2 fluffs. I assist feed her everytime otherwise she will not eat. When I got her, which was on the 27th Feb, she was 161 grams and last time I weighed her was in April and she was 3 grams less. I have just weighed her and now she is 165 grams. quote:
Originally posted by Jayde
I know this is a shot in the dark but have you checked that she doesn't have mites, or maybe even take a faeces sample to have it checked for parasites?
All the stuff that been suggested previously all sounds good, and if you say you have tried the other methods, and have had no luck then it could be worth it just to check it isn't something like that, that's the base of the problem. Do you know if she was CB, CF or WC?
The only other thing I could offer as a suggestion is scenting the food, trying chicks (although not ideal as they aren't as nutritionally sufficient but may kick start feeding) and just persevering with the other methods maybe sticking to one each week for a month or so to get her used to how the food is going to be offered, as they are shy creatures.
How often are you offering food to her atm?
Are you assist feeding each time food is offered or only on random feeds?
What prey size are you offering as general rule of thumb is nothing larger than their biggest girth size, or 10/15% of body weight.
What was her weight when you purchased her?
Whats her current weight?
What has been her weight loss since being with you?
You mention that she lost 1 gram at one point. I'm not sure if this is a typo, but 1 gram is nothing in terms of losing weight. They will loose if read posts were snakes have lost anything between 5 - 25 grams just from pooping! especially if they dont poop weekly / fortnightly. Some members snakes only poop once every few months!
Also if you posted a picture, we could have a look at how she looks on a whole, as body shape can help determine how their weight is affecting general health.
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 22:42:54
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Also I dont actually know how to upload picturesquote:
Originally posted by Mikeyboy1992
I regularly look at her and see if I can spot any mites but I cant see any. I think she was captive bred. I haven't had a faeces check done as of yet but I will look into that. I feed her once a week or once every 9-10 days, depending on the size of the rodent she ate before. I am giving her one fluff and one pinkie normally, last feed was 2 days ago and she ate 2 fluffs. I assist feed her everytime otherwise she will not eat. When I got her, which was on the 27th Feb, she was 161 grams and last time I weighed her was in April and she was 3 grams less. I have just weighed her and now she is 165 grams. quote:
Originally posted by Jayde
I know this is a shot in the dark but have you checked that she doesn't have mites, or maybe even take a faeces sample to have it checked for parasites?
All the stuff that been suggested previously all sounds good, and if you say you have tried the other methods, and have had no luck then it could be worth it just to check it isn't something like that, that's the base of the problem. Do you know if she was CB, CF or WC?
The only other thing I could offer as a suggestion is scenting the food, trying chicks (although not ideal as they aren't as nutritionally sufficient but may kick start feeding) and just persevering with the other methods maybe sticking to one each week for a month or so to get her used to how the food is going to be offered, as they are shy creatures.
How often are you offering food to her atm?
Are you assist feeding each time food is offered or only on random feeds?
What prey size are you offering as general rule of thumb is nothing larger than their biggest girth size, or 10/15% of body weight.
What was her weight when you purchased her?
Whats her current weight?
What has been her weight loss since being with you?
You mention that she lost 1 gram at one point. I'm not sure if this is a typo, but 1 gram is nothing in terms of losing weight. They will loose if read posts were snakes have lost anything between 5 - 25 grams just from pooping! especially if they dont poop weekly / fortnightly. Some members snakes only poop once every few months!
Also if you posted a picture, we could have a look at how she looks on a whole, as body shape can help determine how their weight is affecting general health.
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 22:43:59
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Hey Mikeyboy, sorry I missed this thread the first time!
Firstly I wouldn't worry about her eating too much, you said she was 161 grams when you got her and now she is 165 her weight isn't really changing at all so I would consider now a good time to stop assist-feeding, assist-feeding should only really be done if you absolutely have to get food into the snake (ie: if they are dangerously weak and need food) royal pythons only eat rarely, we get some golden ones which feed every week but most royals go through stages of fasting (I have an adult male of about 1400g that hasn't eaten in about 12 months and also a young female who despite being almost 3 years old is still only 200g whom only eats once a month) also while you're forcing food into her mouth although she's getting nourishment it'll be a stressful thing to have done and thus make her less likely to willingly feed (I had the same problem with a very weak royal whom I had to assist feed to get some food into her, after that she was stuck assist feeding for a while and I only got her onto eating herself with a live feed)
As others have suggested braining is a good option, as is scenting with chick blood or other such things (some people use chicken stock I believe) I've never gotten any success from scenting or braining personally but others swear by them. If it were me I'd have a lot of patience now and keep a constant tab of her weight every week she refuses, if it starts to lower rapidly (like from her 165 down to 110) then I would consider getting a vet's advice and start assist-feeding again but otherwise just wait and wait and wait :)
If you absolutely want her feeding again (I'm just a guy online I've not seen the snake, you'll know if you think she's healthy or not better than I will) then you can do live feeding, live feeding for the benefit of a snake that refuses frozen/thawed food is not illegal so long as you do not video it and stick the video online named "SNAKE VS MOUSE" or something stupid like that. If you do choose to live feed please seek additional advice from us, a vet or an exotics shop before you do it though. |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 22:44:46
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Also: How to upload pictures onto the forum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L8U7iZteSA
Enjoy your stay and welcome to TRP :) |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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chrisc
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
3326 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 22:50:29
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with assist feeding hopefully she will soon get the idea an feed for her self or as said try her on a chick if the chick is to big offer just the legs of the chick with the legs cut off.
the other option is to try live feeding sometimes one or two live feeds will kickstart them into feeding.
live feeding is not illegal but is a gray area under the animal welfare act 2006.
it states you cant cause unessasary suffering ie the rat being killed but letting the snake starve an not display its natural instincts ie killing the rat can also be classed as unessasary suffering.
i cant find it at the moment to copy an paste exatly what it says |
1.0.0 burmese python,giblet. 1.0.0 BCI, william. 0.1.0 blue tongue skink, 0.1.0 green iguana, jasmin, 1.0.0 cape house snake, 0.1.0 checkered garter snake
my youtube. http://www.youtube.com/user/pegrocks
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Royal Not Eating. Never Stikes
