How long can a baby hognose snake (10 grams) safely go without eating?

lupegirl8 · 09-28-15, 07:25 AM

Main Question: Is it safe for a baby hognose (10 grams) to go a month without eating?

Details:
I got a baby hognose snake on September 8th and she still hasn't eaten for me. Tomorrow it will have been three weeks without eating. I started another thread asking for advice and have tried nearly every trick people recommended (tuna scenting, feeding in a small dark container, leaving the pinkie in a dark place overnight, braining the pinkie, etc).

She started at 10 grams when I first got her and after about 2 weeks of not eating she weighed 9.1 grams (I haven't weighed her yet this week).

On Thursday night I'm leaving for a four day trip and by the time I get back it will have been about a month of her not eating. I'm going to have my roommate put pinkies in her cage while I'm gone so she will have the option to eat if she wants to. I'm planning to take her to the vet when I get back if she still hasn't eaten by then. Is it safe for her to have gone a month before being taken to the vet, or should I try to take her before I leave for my trip?

On Tuesday I'm going to try cutting a pinkie in half, braining it, scenting it with tuna, and leaving it in a dark container with her overnight. If that doesn't work I won't know what to try.

According to the people at the pet store (who I know pretty well and are trustworthy) she was eating like a pig for them so I don't think she is sick (and she started out well fed when I first got her).

**EL Ziggy** · 09-28-15, 07:39 AM

Have you tried a live pinky?

lupegirl8 · 09-29-15, 06:55 AM

@El Ziggy

I have a general policy of not feeding live unless absolutely necessary.

She was readily eating frozen thawed at the pet store, so I don't want to go backwards. She seems hungry (approaching the pinkie, putting her mouth against it, mock striking at it), but then before she can eat it she suddenly gets scared of it and runs away. I feel like a live pinkie would only scare her more.

I don't need new feeding tricks to try, I just need to know whether she can safely go a month without food.

Humble308 · 09-29-15, 07:14 AM

Yes the snake can go a month (longer actually) without food. You leaving for this trip will be the best thing for her, don't have your room mate do anything. Just top off her water, go on your trip, and then try to feed her. Honestly I'd wait a couple days after you got back too. There's no feeding tricks, you just need to leave her alone.

Albert Clark · 09-30-15, 12:40 PM

Well, I agree with EL Ziggy that you should try live or at least live fish. Sometimes they need that live boost to get started or in your case get back on track. Trust me, the vet is going to ask you if you tried live food. Sometimes its necessary to go backwards b4 you can go forward. IMO, a live feeding attempt beats going to the vet.