PLEASE NOTE
The information on the BambooZoo site is as much as 10 years old and in the hobby much has been learned. Though, I believe there is merit in keeping the site open. There are many controversial issues presented in these pages. Please view BambooZoo as a starting point in your research.
These beings are as complicated as we are and deserve more than a basic 5 paragraph care sheet to maintain their health and well being.
My passion has changed. This is where I am today. Change the World.
MY SNAKE IS NOT EATING! WHAT NOW?
Well it appears that at least 10 -20% of the threads on here are from people asking for Help as there snakes are not eating.
Therefore I thought I would compile a list of methods out there that have been tried and tested by various keepers.
So, to start with the first and most important thing to do is to relax and stop worrying.
When your snake stops eating you need to take into account the following,
1. Is your Snake going into Shed
2. Has your snake been moved recently
3. Are your Temps correct
4. Is the Husbandry correct for you snake (size of viv, hides, greenary)
5. Is it winter time or breeding season
6. Is your snake showing any signs of illness/stress
So after asking yourself all of these questions, this is what you do,
1. Weigh you snake and monitor for any weight loss,
2. Change the time period that you offer
3. Reduce food size that is offered
Ok so now we have the basics covered, when offering there are a few things that you can do to entice your snake to take the food.
1. Warm up the food (hair dryer, hot water, etc)
2. Brain the food (slit head)
3. Leave food in viv, cover up and leave for 24hrs without looking,
4. Place snake into a tub and take it for a 15- 20 minute drive
5. Scenting food (with other foods, supplements)
6. Placing on a jacket (place skin of a chick over food)
7. Offer different food types (gerbils, rats, mutis, chicks etc)
There are many more and I'm sure people will post other methods on here.
Ok once all these methods have been tried, and you snake is still not eating then it may be time for a visit to the vets to give your snake the once over (this may only be necessary if it shows signs of illness or has stopped eating from one of the obvious reasons.
There are 3 other methods you can use to try to get your snake to feed, but these are only to be done as last resorts and usually after being advised to from a vet.
1. Live food
2. Assist feeding
3. Force feeding
Of these methods live food would be the prefered and less stressful method.
As for the legallity of this method, this is how it stands.
Live feeding is Legal, but only as a last resort before assist/force feeding, But if frowned upon by AR and RSPCA,(these will try to prosecute you).
But you are at a bit of a dilema, as they will try to prosecute for 2 reasons,
1. cruelty to live rodent - when feeding live
2. cruelty to snake - if left to starve and die
Therefore if you are going to feed live, you must do it in the privacy of you own home, without an audience and do not go advertising that you are doing it, Also DO NOT leave unattended, and onyt leave live food in fo 15 - 30 minute period, and remove sooner if you see the food attacking the snake.
If this still does not work, then it may mean you have to assist/force feed you snake, but this MUST be at the last resort stage, once you snake hasnt been eating for over 6 - 12 months, and would be advisable to get some one who knows what they are doing to assist you, as it can be very daunting for you to do it, But i must warn you this will be very stressful for the snake as well.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Therefore I thought I would compile a list of methods out there that have been tried and tested by various keepers.
So, to start with the first and most important thing to do is to relax and stop worrying.
When your snake stops eating you need to take into account the following,
1. Is your Snake going into Shed
2. Has your snake been moved recently
3. Are your Temps correct
4. Is the Husbandry correct for you snake (size of viv, hides, greenary)
5. Is it winter time or breeding season
6. Is your snake showing any signs of illness/stress
So after asking yourself all of these questions, this is what you do,
1. Weigh you snake and monitor for any weight loss,
2. Change the time period that you offer
3. Reduce food size that is offered
Ok so now we have the basics covered, when offering there are a few things that you can do to entice your snake to take the food.
1. Warm up the food (hair dryer, hot water, etc)
2. Brain the food (slit head)
3. Leave food in viv, cover up and leave for 24hrs without looking,
4. Place snake into a tub and take it for a 15- 20 minute drive
5. Scenting food (with other foods, supplements)
6. Placing on a jacket (place skin of a chick over food)
7. Offer different food types (gerbils, rats, mutis, chicks etc)
There are many more and I'm sure people will post other methods on here.
Ok once all these methods have been tried, and you snake is still not eating then it may be time for a visit to the vets to give your snake the once over (this may only be necessary if it shows signs of illness or has stopped eating from one of the obvious reasons.
There are 3 other methods you can use to try to get your snake to feed, but these are only to be done as last resorts and usually after being advised to from a vet.
1. Live food
2. Assist feeding
3. Force feeding
Of these methods live food would be the prefered and less stressful method.
As for the legallity of this method, this is how it stands.
Live feeding is Legal, but only as a last resort before assist/force feeding, But if frowned upon by AR and RSPCA,(these will try to prosecute you).
But you are at a bit of a dilema, as they will try to prosecute for 2 reasons,
1. cruelty to live rodent - when feeding live
2. cruelty to snake - if left to starve and die
Therefore if you are going to feed live, you must do it in the privacy of you own home, without an audience and do not go advertising that you are doing it, Also DO NOT leave unattended, and onyt leave live food in fo 15 - 30 minute period, and remove sooner if you see the food attacking the snake.
If this still does not work, then it may mean you have to assist/force feed you snake, but this MUST be at the last resort stage, once you snake hasnt been eating for over 6 - 12 months, and would be advisable to get some one who knows what they are doing to assist you, as it can be very daunting for you to do it, But i must warn you this will be very stressful for the snake as well.
I hope you find this information helpful.
