Now, I'm worried...

[sneak]

I bought a jcp last saturday at a show, and he hasn't eaten yet. He's almost a month now, and hasn't shown any signs of interest in eating. The first couple of nights, I had him in a 10g, but then moved him to a shoebox for a little security. I have a temp gradient of maybe 75-85, but I bumped the hot spot to almost 90. The humidity is now 70 or so. What am I doing wrong? Maybe, I'm just overreacting. I'll be so relieved once he eats. Anyway, any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks. Oh, yeah, I've offered him small fuzzies.

Dennis

[Colonel SB]

Do you have branches for him to hang on if he doesn't feel secure he won't eat. My babies will often only eat when they can ambush thier prey from above. I also recomend you keep him in a 18.5 l rubbermaid container the taller one remember they are an arborial python so they like to climb. Your temps and humididty are good.

[Jeff_Favelle]

The hotspot should have been 90F anyways, a week is hardly any time at all for a snake, and it could be in a shed. Also, find out what it was being fed before and feed it the same thing.

[sneak]

I had a feeling a week wasn't enough time to adjust. My problem maybe that he didn't have anything to climb on, but he would hang out on top of his hide. Now, if I am going to move him to a taller enclosure, how would I keep his temp up to 90 when he's on a branch since I wouldn't be using a light, but a heat pad. How could I use a light on a rubbermaid?

[Jeff_Favelle]

You DON'T use a light with a Rubbermaid. If you do, you'll end up with this twiggy-looking thing formerly known as your snake.

[Pontus]

first off put him/her somewhere where it wont be disturbed
leave it for a week keep up the humidity put a small branch in and then after a week grab a pinky or what ever your feeden it on a pair of chopsticks or what ever your usen to hold them and lightly tap him on the sides with it where hes not looken he will turn around and strike at it after a few strikes he should start to figure out its food and then all u gota do it release the food and let it eat then put the top back on as to not disturb it till after its eaten.

my female was anoying like this and she did not eat for 2 and a half weeks when i got her and not today i just fed her second meal with me while the male is on like his 4th

let me know how this turns out because its worked with all my babies that i get

[Zoe]

Sounds like he's still settling in and / or in shed. They can for way more than a week without food. Try offering different food items in a couple days, and make sure they are quite warm (not cooking, of course). You can also try braining. Don't worry too much, give him time and try different methods. He'll eat when he ets hungry.

Zoe

[sneak]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I just needed some reassurance that this is perfectly normal, which I thought. I will keep you all posted on his progress. I'll try different food items in a couple of days or so. I guess he just needs time to settle in. Again, I appreciate all the help.

Dennis

[sneak]

UPDATE:

I tried again this weekend, and no go. I tried live fuzzies and pinkies on Saturday, and I tried f/k fuzz and pinks yesterday. I even left them in last night, and had to take them out this morning. So far, he's been on a 3 week food strike. I'll keep trying.

[sneak]

Woohoo...he finally ate!!! :D

I am so relieved. What I did was I held a brained f/t fuzzy in front of his head. At first, he was a little scared, but then he got a little curious, and struck at it, but didn't take. The second time, he took it like a champ. I think he is scared of live food...lol.

Anyway, does this mean that he'll be able to eat whenver food is offered now?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Yes, he's probably on his way now. But when you are offering, are you leaving it in over night? I find a LOT of the times, they strike, constrict, and leave it until about 1pm the next day and then they decide to eat it!!

Ha ha, annoying little things.

Glad it took a F/T though. Baby Carptes often refuse anything but live. Good stuff man. You are being an excellent Carpet keeper!