Burm. abandoned by owner

[kjrhino]

Well now I have him/her. It's supposed to be 9 months old and is only 3 feet in length. He said he ate last month. He has a small mouse with him, but then I heard something about force feeding young snakes and about feeding dead prey. How often should he be eating ? I've had him 2 weeks and he hasn't eaten. He and the mouse curl up together and sleep ! This guy got the snake just to be cool and now that he knows how big he's gonna get, and that he needs care, that takes MONEY, he doens't come around anymore. I learning slowly, but I need help on this feeding problem if there is one.

[Linds]

First off, it's great that you've taken on this little guy. It's awful the way these large snakes end up getting dumped :(

I woudn't recommend force-feeding the little guy yet. That is a last resort to bring back a snake that isn't going to make it because he's so long gone without food. It is extremely stressful on an animal.

You should always try and feed either prekilled or frozen/thawed prey items, since live prey can inflict harmful, and in some cases, fatal wounds on an animal. At 3' he should be eating rats now. Mice are too small for a snake that size. A snake can eat the equivalent of the largest part of its own girth (well, they can eat larger but it isn't recommended can can result in other problems such as regurgitation, etc).

Before you can expect your snake to feed he has to be in the right environment. I would give him a hot spot on one side of his tank @ 90 degrees, and on the other end of the enclosure it should be about 78/80 degrees. Make sure he has many tight fitting hiding spots so he feels secure as well.

I would feed him once every 7 days at this age. First try dangling a prekilled rat in front of him (at night is your best chance for him to feed since they are nocturnal) with a pair of tongs. If he doesnt take that, then jsut leave it in with him overnight and cover his enclosure so its dark. If that fails put him in a small dark container with the prekilled item overnight. When he does start eating be sure not to handle him (except to put him back in his cage if he ate in a box) for 48 hours so he can digest. If you handle before this you run the risk of regurgitation. If that doesnt work, try putting him in a small box with a brained prey item. Braining is when you cut into the skull of the prey item and smear a little of the brain matter around on the prey items head and nose area. Leave him overnight.

Try to avoid handling your snake until he has begun feeding regularily for you, since they can get quite stressed from handling. It's best to keep him in a quiet, low-trafficked area until he is feeding.

Good lcuk with your new little guy, it's great that you're taking him on! :thumbsup:

[KolleenJ]

Hey!! DANG! I really hate people sometimes. Linds is right, but if you have any other probs, or can not take care of the little bugga, Either me or Sean take in rescues and would be glad to help.

I wish you the best of luck, and remember, just give him time and a variety and he'll eat! Most burms do!

[SilverTongue]

If he doesnt take that, then jsut leave it in with him overnight and cover his enclosure so its dark. If that fails put him in a small dark container with the prekilled item overnight.

Make sure you use a different prekilled item. A two day old dead meal isnt good for anyone but vultures :)

[Seanebones]

Personally I wouldn't leave the prey in there long enough to fall asleep with it. If he was hungry he would take it right away. Wait a week or two and then try a fresh killed prey of a different color. Dangle it in front of the hide box (if you use one) with tongs and he should strike. I know that waiting is harder on you than the snake, but sometimes you gotta tough it out. Good luck and please keep us posted as to his progress.
Sean