When will he eat?

Drgnfly2265 · 08-30-12, 05:01 PM

Feeding question for everyone! I got Nagini about 1 1/2 weeks ago and he doesn't seem to want to eat yet. I'm trying to feed f/t little pinkies to him and everytime I do it looks like he is smelling it and touches his nose to it. After a little bit he goes away from it uninterested. I tried to feed him when I brought him home and I didn't think he would eat, and I have also tried 2 other times. One of the times was yesterday. He is still active moving from the warm to cool side when he wants too and when I hold him he moves around all over my hands. Am I being paranoid? This is my first snake and first pet that doesn't have to be feed everyday, lol. Advice please!

alessia55 · 08-30-12, 05:32 PM

You need to give him time to settle into his new home. Stop handling him until he starts feeding for you (handling can be stressful for a snake).

You should only attempt feeding every 7-10 days. Offering food any more often than that can be stressful.

A key component to this is PATIENCE. Just wait it out. If your husbandry is where it should be, he will eat for you.

mykee · 08-30-12, 05:33 PM

How big is your snake? I think a pinky is way too small...
What are your temps and general husbandry like?

Drgnfly2265 · 08-30-12, 06:10 PM

I really do need some patience with him, lol. Ugh, I just want to make sure that he is ok

Ok, I must resist holding him! I'm going to lose my mind...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

How big is your snake? I think a pinky is way too small...
What are your temps and general husbandry like?

Plastic tub, shredded aspen, 95 degree hot side and 80 cool side. He's only a little ksb. Here's a pic...

mykee · 08-30-12, 06:11 PM

Try live. That small, they like the movement.

bcoop1234 · 08-30-12, 07:31 PM

I had the same problem with my baby sunglow boa. What finally worked for me was to put him in a small Tupperware cup along with a f/t rat pinkie that I slit the head. Then put the little cup with him in it back into his cage. I came back up 40 minutes later just to check and the pinkie was gone... Now he grabs it from me as soon as I offer... May not work but it can't hurt to try... I only tried once a week and then tried the cup trick on the third week. Good luck with your cute little Kenyon!

Charis · 08-31-12, 11:34 AM

Do you know, was he already reliably eating? And what he was eating? A week and a half is not long at all. As others have said, I'd just leave him completely alone for a week and then try whatever way he is used to getting his meals. Takes awhile sometimes for them to settle in and snakes can fast for very long periods of time without harm. He looks nice and plump to me, no need to worry about not eating yet.

Drgnfly2265 · 08-31-12, 06:09 PM

Thank you everyone for your help. I guess I'm just being a paranoid new snake mommy, lol. This is really teaching me how to learn patience a little better...

Charis · 08-31-12, 06:27 PM

Yeah, it is very hard for us mammals to learn to chill out over non eating snakes. I'm getting better at it myself but I don't think it ever goes away! LOL. Last year my adult male Rosy boa went on a 6 month feeding strike and I about tore my hair out. He didn't lose very much weight though and went back to eating normally. It was just in protest of not being allowed to breed.

shaunyboy · 08-31-12, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drgnfly2265

Feeding question for everyone! I got Nagini about 1 1/2 weeks ago and he doesn't seem to want to eat yet. I'm trying to feed f/t little pinkies to him and everytime I do it looks like he is smelling it and touches his nose to it. After a little bit he goes away from it uninterested. I tried to feed him when I brought him home and I didn't think he would eat, and I have also tried 2 other times. One of the times was yesterday. He is still active moving from the warm to cool side when he wants too and when I hold him he moves around all over my hands. Am I being paranoid? This is my first snake and first pet that doesn't have to be feed everyday, lol. Advice please!

stop handling him until he is eating regular

leave him in peace and quiet,only going near him to change his water roughly every 5 days

heat the prey up with a hairdryer,until it feels the same temperature as a live rat

then offer on feeding tongs

if he shy's away and acts nervous,then just lay the prey in the tank and leave it over night

if it acted nervous,then next feeding day,just quickly and quietly,lay the prey in and leave,imo just as its getting dark,is a good time to do this

you could also try braining the prey.....

puncture the skull,with one end of a pair of scissors,until grey liquid seeps out,then give the head another quick heat,then offer on tongs

ONLY try the above methods ONCE every 7 to 10 days

please let us know how it goes

cheers shaun

mykee · 09-01-12, 06:30 AM

Oh oh oh!!! Can I change my first post in this thread to be: "when you feed him what he wants to eat"? That's a WAAAY better answer than what I gave first.