Neonate BRB feeding issue

p3rd1710n · 02-11-14, 07:14 PM

I have a neonate Brazilian rainbow boa who seems break the mold when it comes to BRBs being a voracious eaters. After almost 2 months of attempting every trick i know of beyond force feeding the little one and im outta ideas. I have attempted live and f/t pinkys of both the rat and mouse variety i have tried braining and scenting i have tried placing the snake in a much smaller enclosure with moss a hide and the food all within reach. nadda. the snake is kept in the correct humidity and temp gradients. everything within the enclosure is exactly as it should be (its the first thing i checked). The snake was purchased from a breeder in my area with a very good reputation and as far as i know fed well prior to me receiving it. There are no signs of an oncoming shed. I have owned multiple snakes of multiple varieties and frankly im stumped. Any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated

Brylee1233 · 02-11-14, 08:03 PM

I don't know how to fix it... Did you ask the breeder?

p3rd1710n · 02-11-14, 08:53 PM

An early response from him told me to give it time. i recently tried again and he hasn't answered as there is a reptile show up here somewhat soon its possible his inbox is a little full

Brylee1233 · 02-11-14, 09:05 PM

Yeah... I am sure other people on here know some other tricks... I don't though... Maybe if you go to a reptile show and ask around there too. Hm... did you change mice/rats suppliers from the breeders?

p3rd1710n · 02-11-14, 09:20 PM

swapped suppliers twice no go

Brylee1233 · 02-11-14, 09:37 PM

Another possiblility is a brb to go off feeding like some snakes do... But I have never heard of brbs doing that... I just read that females go off feeding while gravid and that it is around breeding time (I am nothing close to an expert about this subject...)

How old is it? Is it a he or she?

KORBIN5895 · 02-11-14, 09:58 PM

Get in touch with this guy. He will help you out.

https://m.facebook.com/lgreptiles?id...m%2Flgreptiles

Brylee1233 · 02-11-14, 10:06 PM

Yes, that guy will help you out a lot! Good luck! I hope all turns out well

p3rd1710n · 02-12-14, 10:50 AM

i send him a message appreciate the help so far hopefully it gets solved

Snakesitter · 02-12-14, 02:48 PM

Didn't see your message yet, but did stumble across this thread. ;-)

It is highly unusual for a baby Brazilian to go off food. Provided conditions are right and they are healthy, these snakes are eating machines. (As adults, this can vary, especially males during breeding season and gravid females...but not babies.)

There are a few items we can check:

First, double check all your conditions (yes, again). Are heat (82F-72F), humidity (90%+), and privacy (hides, low traffic area) all spot on? A change in conditions can absoluitely cause a change in feeding. (Other factors could be other pets, such a cat that visits and makes the baby nervous, or regular vibrations, such as from the street.)

Two, is there any sign of illness? Check especially for an RI or mites. (It might also be a shed reaction...some snakes, even as babies, will refuse during shed.)

Assuming all of these items are OK, find out from the breeder *exactly* what the baby was eating before it came to you, and how these meals were "served." If the breeder is a good one, there should have been feeding records included that will give you part but not all of that information. Check things like food type, food temps, preparation, feeding time, and whether the parents or siblings had any feeding issues. You want to match what the baby is familiar with.

(Even then, they can change: I have two babies suddenly insiting on live rat pinks, both of whom would eat frozen before this.)

All that said, there is no reason to panic. I know one breeder who had a baby go for over three months with no meals before it figured the food thing out!

Please let us know how all of this goes, and we can take it from there.

Snakesitter · 02-12-14, 02:49 PM

Thanks Korbin!

p3rd1710n · 02-12-14, 06:01 PM

the message contained the exact same text as the first post. i rechecked the temp and humidity. all in the green. No sign of a respiratory infection or mites. The only traffic in the area is myself and other snakes in the general vicinity. no vibrations. multiple hides nice and enclosed and some with moist moss inside some without. I am still waiting on a response from the breeder as far as how/what he was fed prior to when i got him. Im not panicking as of yet i just worry as this is not the usual behavior i have heardof/seen from BRB's. He also hasn't struck once at anything which i hear isnt the norm for BRB's of his age. (not that im complaining mind you, My green tree has turned my hands to hamburger meat more than once over the last few years)

Snakesitter · 02-13-14, 02:28 PM

Good job on the speedy check. It sounds like all is on target. I'll be interested to hear the breeder's answer. However, it is odd that he refused a small live mouse hopper, especially if offered at dusk with room lights out. That is normally like crack to a baby Brazilian...a live pink or hopper always does the trick for me...unless they are in shed and feeling lousy due to that! Please keep us posted!

p3rd1710n · 02-14-14, 10:09 AM

Well seems i was bellyaching for nothing. Checking last night im seeing a shed coming on. Will update after the shed on if the problem persists. Thanks for the responses everyone

Snakesitter · 02-14-14, 03:02 PM

Glad to hear it -- and hopefully it solves the issue!