Snake Feeding Problems

[t-bo]

Firstly dont panic, its a common situation for many species of snakes to go of feed for periods of time even if they are happy and healthy. This can happen particularly during the breeding season.

These are just some general pointers with some tips and methods you can consider.

• Firstly check your husbandry, particularly that you have the required temperatures and light requirements for the snake involved. Also check that your snake has the right habitat with plenty of hides which will make it feel secure in its surroundings.

• If it is a young or a new snake minimize handling and disturbance while the snake is off feed. If it is in an active room keep part of the enclosure covered from view, keep noise like loud music or TV down.

• If you are feeding during the day, try feeding at night when all the lights are out.

• The meal should be warmed up and wiggled with tongs in front of the snake to stimulate the feeding response. Warming can be done by putting the rodent into a sandwich bag with some 2p's in the bottom (this keeps them from floating) and then into a bowl of hot water.

• If the meal hasnt been taken after the above, make sure you leave it in overnight as the snake might comeback to it later when its all alone and it is dark and quiet.

• Try feeding in a separate (ventilated) small box, leave the snake and meal in overnight. Usualy putting the box in the vivarium is a good choice as it will still be warm and secure.

• Try feeding a different sized rodent. Smaller may help if your snake is not yet confident in itself/surroundings.

• Try different colours, generally wild mice/rats arnt white Albinos!!

• Different species of rodent may help, for instance Royal Pythons in the wild eat a rodent that is very similar to a Gerbil, Multimates are a good rodent to try.

• Try braining a mouse. This involves opening up the head of the rodent to expose the smell for the snake. A easy way to do this is with a large nail and a tap with a hammer.

• Another option is scenting depending on what your snakes natural diet is. Lizard maker by t-rex is available, chicken broth has been reported to work with some snakes and fish are some things that might be worth a try depending on the species you have. Thoroughly research your snakes natural diet to see if this may be an option for you.

• Feeding live is an option and may work well particularly for young problem Royals, newborns (depending on species) and WC. Avoid feeding adult mice/rats as they can do damage to your snake and never leave a live rodent in with your snake without keeping a close eye on it. Live should always be a last option.

The best way to monitor a snake which is not eating is by regular weighing, this way you can keep an eye on any weight loss. Generally a healthy snake will be drinking during its fasting and wont be loosing weight in the same way as a snake that is not eating because of illness/distress.

[Angelpandora]

My female ball python went through a period of about 6 months of point blank refusing to eat. We tried feeding her every 2 weeks until Thursday night when she did decide to eat thankfully. Unfortunately her temperament has now completely changed in 2 weeks where we cant even open her VIV without her trying to attack my partner and myself. We are worried that she now will be a vicious snake where she used to be an angel and anyone could handle her. Is there any way to tame her from afar til she calms down? U cant even walk past her viv without her trying to attack the glass. Im very upset over this as my partner just wants rid of her cause he is so nervous of her now. Please Help

[t-bo]

Sounds like shes in feeding mode, have you fed her again in these two weeks since the first feed? if shes gone a long time without, get some food in there, regular weekly feeding of appropriately sized rodents and start handling again when she is settled a bit.

[Angelpandora]

Yeh, well she was fed on thursday just past. We were gona feed her again 2moro to see if that amount of time without food has just left her overly hungry. Thanks v. much and I'll let u know if she settles down...

[rachaels royal]

Hi i am new to the forum and saw your add just wondered if you could help me.I have a male royal who i got of a breeder. i have had it just over 1week. have not handled it till to day due to it shedding.but i have noticed it has a kink in its neck? i have tryed to feed it in a tub which my female feeds ok in and its not interested,i have it in a viv but it has been in a tub all its life, hes told me that he may be stessed and to put it back in a tub but i would like him to live with my female in a viv. would he ever live in a viv and what do you think about his neck? the breeder does not no wheather he had it before due to not handling him muchand said he all ways fed ok. hope you can help

[josh28]

hi there i have a 1 year old king and she is not a strike feeder i prefer her to be why is she not and how can i make her one thabnks

[Joe So]

I find, mainly with baby sankes, that if you put them in a really enclosed area with their food they will eat it in no time.

[josh28]

thanks also i am getting a nother king and the man said that hehas tride every think to get him eating but carnt he has had him for 6 weeks but i mighit try him on live but will watch out for the mouses teeth and claus lol

[Kayarlyn]

A friend of mine moved last Christmas and asked me to look after her corn snake, after 6 months she said she couldn't have him back and would i keep him.

My problem is he is the first snake i have ever owned and while he is eating fine he is shedding every few weeks, i was told that this can be bad for a snake and he needs vitamins added to his food

He is quite healthy to look at reasonably active and eating well, he is only about 3 feet long at nearly 3 years old now

What sort of vitamins should i be using and how often and how do you give vitamins to a snake???

Thanks in advance

Kayarlyn

[t-bo]

Hi Kayarlyn

No additional supplements are required for a snake that is feeding, it gets all it needs from the rodent food items.