Hognose hasn't eaten since October 12!

[Akuma223]

The young western hog I've had since october 12th hasn't eaten since that very day. I fed him when I got back from the reptile expo, he ate overnight when I was asleep. I've tried braining mice, and scenting them with toad. I'm not used to dealing with this kind of thing at all and don't know what to do. The creature literally does nothing, doesn't explore, eat, and gets pissy on the rare occasion I try to hold him. I've tried freshkilled prey, and frozen but not live. All prey has been the perfect size for him and he still wouldn't take it. I've left this animal alone as much as possible to not stress him but he still does nothing.

He is a little less than 1ft long and currently in a small tub about 1ft 2in long, 10in wide, and around 7in tall. He is on soil,cypress,sand mix with humidity of 65. The surface temp is 82f across the board, ambient temp is 72f. He burrows under the substrate and stays there, I've only ever seen him poke his head out once. He has had fresh water available to him at all times.

[Minkness]

Does he have a hot spot from a uth?

Also, could just be that time time of year. Have you noticed any weight loss or does he look pretty much the same as the day you got him?

[Akuma223]

Originally Posted by Minkness

Does he have a hot spot from a uth?

Also, could just be that time time of year. Have you noticed any weight loss or does he look pretty much the same as the day you got him?

Yeah there has been noticeable weight loss just in the past few weeks, he isn't emaciated just thinner than he should be.

[Jim Smith]

I would try live pinkies to see if you can get him eating again. You should be able to find someone locally that has them and even if you only buy 2 or 3, it would be worth trying. Just a thought...

[Akuma223]

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

I would try live pinkies to see if you can get him eating again. You should be able to find someone locally that has them and even if you only buy 2 or 3, it would be worth trying. Just a thought...

My friend actually just had a litter of pinkies I'll be getting tomorrow. I'll try the live feeding. I have one ten gal tank with two mothers who had a litter that are hoppers right now, i'm trying to get a mini colony started. Just culled 4 hoppers today.

[Minkness]

Good luck with this and if you don't have a uth, I'd suggest you get one for some warmer belly temps as well.

[Cmwells90]

Originally Posted by Akuma223

The surface temp is 82f across the board, ambient temp is 72f.

I would raise the temp to 90 on the warm spot, I usually have it sit between 88-91. How are you measuring these temps?

Also your hoggie is probably brumating, this is completly normal during the winter months where they become less active or not active at all and remain underground. They refuse food usually until Feb when the days start to become longer and nights shorter. If you're seeing weight loss then I would start to give it more attention, a live feed might help. But I would first raise your warm side temp and measure it with a digital probe.

[Akuma223]

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

I would raise the temp to 90 on the warm spot, I usually have it sit between 88-91. How are you measuring these temps?

Also your hoggie is probably brumating, this is completly normal during the winter months where they become less active or not active at all and remain underground. They refuse food usually until Feb when the days start to become longer and nights shorter. If you're seeing weight loss then I would start to give it more attention, a live feed might help. But I would first raise your warm side temp and measure it with a digital probe.

Thanks for the advice, I'll raise the temp on his warm spot and try a live feeding.

[Little Wise Owl]

The paperbag method worked like a charm on my one tiny, extremely stubborn female. I plopped her in the bag with a f/t pinky overnight and hoped for the best. Gone by morning. I was actually really stunned. I didn't think it'd work since she had zero interest in food was convinced she was going to die.

Best of luck.

[Evanthomas]

i agree with the paper bag trick, there's just something that works about sticking the snake somewhere dark with nothing else to do but eat for the night. lol.

[Akuma223]

Huh, I'll certainly try that today and hope it works!