Feeding Problems With Snakes

From Exotic Pet Wiki Pedia

The first advice is dont panic, its a common situation for most species of snakes to go of feed for periods of time even if they are happy and healthy.

Below are some tips and methods you can consider to get your snake feeding.

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

• If its a young snake minimize handling and disturbance while the snake is off feed.

• 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 a set of 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 do make sure you leave it in overnight, the snake might comeback to it later when its all alone.

• Try feeding in a separate (ventilated) small box, leave the snake and meal in overnight.

• 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 Albinos!!

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

• Try braining the mouse. This involves opening up the head of the rodent to expose that nice 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.

• Feeding live is an option and may work well particularly for 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.

Closing Advice

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 like a snake not eating because of illness/distress.