Show Us Your Snake...

[EscortNreg]

Righto then gents, been following this thread for some time.

 

My question is how do i get my Baby Royal Python to eat, i've tryed him on small mice, rat pup's, etc etc, The last couple of Pythons i had would only eat live and i'd rather not have to go though all of that again.

 

The snake in question is male, about 2 ft at the moment, his temp and lighting is all ok, he has putting of places to hide, he just will not eat. If i dangle a rat pup in front of him, he'll coil up and strike but he won't eat at all. I've had a word with the bloke in the shop whrere i got him from, he reckons it's could because the viv is to big for him or he is still stressed and not willing to eat.

 

Cut the food make it all bloody and juicy.

 

Thats what i had to do with my old corm snake, worked a treat!

[KNITERIDER]

Righto then gents, been following this thread for some time.

 

My question is how do i get my Baby Royal Python to eat, i've tryed him on small mice, rat pup's, etc etc, The last couple of Pythons i had would only eat live and i'd rather not have to go though all of that again.

 

The snake in question is male, about 2 ft at the moment, his temp and lighting is all ok, he has putting of places to hide, he just will not eat. If i dangle a rat pup in front of him, he'll coil up and strike but he won't eat at all. I've had a word with the bloke in the shop whrere i got him from, he reckons it's could because the viv is to big for him or he is still stressed and not willing to eat.

 

 

mandatory questions first

 

what ARE the temps hot and cold end

 

what are you measuring it with (type of thermometer)

 

what size is the viv

 

whats the heat source and is it on a thermostat

 

how long have you had it and has it eaten before with you?

 

is the viv fairly packed with hides and plants etc

 

what feeding methods have you tried and il give you some you havnt.

 

how long since it last fed.

[mexico_16v]

Righto then gents, been following this thread for some time.

 

My question is how do i get my Baby Royal Python to eat, i've tryed him on small mice, rat pup's, etc etc, The last couple of Pythons i had would only eat live and i'd rather not have to go though all of that again.

 

The snake in question is male, about 2 ft at the moment, his temp and lighting is all ok, he has putting of places to hide, he just will not eat. If i dangle a rat pup in front of him, he'll coil up and strike but he won't eat at all. I've had a word with the bloke in the shop whrere i got him from, he reckons it's could because the viv is to big for him or he is still stressed and not willing to eat.

 

 

mandatory questions first

 

what ARE the temps hot and cold end just

 

what are you measuring it with (type of thermometer)

 

what size is the viv

 

whats the heat source and is it on a thermostat

 

how long have you had it and has it eaten before with you?

 

is the viv fairly packed with hides and plants etc

 

what feeding methods have you tried and il give you some you havnt.

 

how long since it last fed.

Just under 84 hot end, not sure on the cold end as the reader has gone pete tong

Just those stick on ones, they always work with my lozard

The heat source is a heat mat, tube light and a lamp on a stat

i've had the snake 3 weeks and the guy in the shop had stopped feeding it when i put a depoist down. so about 5 weeks since it's last feed.

Feeding wise, i tryed dancing the pup just leaving it in there for a few hours, i've also made it bloody and it still won';t eat.

 

The viv is 3 foot.

[88-XR3i]

He jsut showed no interest in it after the goldfish died...Wasnt going into it as it was a mates dad, and my mate was the 1 who told him that it was time it was rehomed really

 

right, mexico....Royal, well lets just say "Welcome to the royal owning world" as them eating is a pig of a job sometimes!

 

How old is it?

 

They tend to go off food for many months at a time, aslong as you keep an eye on his weight and he isnt losing much then its not a major issue at the moment, as for the viv size, yes that can have a bit of a factor to it...Maybe try putting him into a tupperware tub with a heat mat, and a rat and leave him in a dark place, if that doesnt help then keep at it, but with a week or 2 break in between

 

Another thing is read back to my post where I have added "Graphic detail" on how to break their nose, so that it can sort out the senses of smell and maybe turn on that instinct

 

Im not online for long, and wont be around a pc for the next 2 weeks so im at a loss on helping via here, but if you like, you can take my number and call me and I will try help over the phone as im always happy to help fellow snake owners, especially for the benefit of both snake and owner...If you want to, nreg has my number as I am about to shoot off home (broken pc at home so no internet)

 

That way I can get more of an idea of the viv, temps, set up etc, and see if it is a problem there, or a problem elswhere

[KNITERIDER]

viv s fine if packed out

 

the stick on thermometers are wildly inaccurate. my boa had these and wasnt feeding, put in a digital one and it was over 3 degrres C out she now feeds.

 

as for feeding dont try more than once a week as it stresses them out and can put them off food, royals are notouriously (sp) iffy feeders anyway.

 

dont worry about it not feeding til 9weeks at that size

 

just try the one heat source for a while, ie the matt (on a stat) also do you turn the lights off at night (unless they are red or green lights) as this can bugger up there day/night cycle.

 

things to try in the future: leave in over night or 24hours, whichever. also covering the viv up helps (make it as dark as possible).

 

my boa wont eat in public so i get her out pop another large hide in only on feeding days and then put the food in the hide then aim the snake at the hide so it goes in and leave it over night (best do it in the evening).

 

another good one is a powerade bath; use 50%powerade/teppid warm water and let the snakes wim in it for 20mins or so the electrolites can kickstartt eh feeding response.

 

if you wnna go all perverted, put the snake in a small RUB (really usefull box) with the pup, cover it and strap avibrator to it (im not joking) set it on low so it vibrates slightly and leave for half hour.

 

another is heating the food either with hairdrier or warming the head in water, you can also brain it (split the skull) to release the smell more.

 

as i say dont try more than once a week as you will stress the snake more. id also recomment : www.reptileforums.co.uk and pop a post on there you will no doubt get even more ideas (and more comments about the crap thermometers! lol)

 

hope this helps

[88-XR3i]

the viv can have something to do with it with some though, royals, although not all of them, prefer smaller vivs as they feel more secure

 

 

A strange idea, which has worked, is take him for a drive, then offer food...for some reason, the motion of moving around can set them off

 

yeah ok it does sound random, but amazing how many times its worked!

[KNITERIDER]

the viv can have something to do with it with some though, royals, although not all of them, prefer smaller vivs as they feel more secure

 

 

A strange idea, which has worked, is take him for a drive, then offer food...for some reason, the motion of moving around can set them off

yeah ok it does sound random, but amazing how many times its worked!

 

 

+1 but as i said dont keep offering as you will make it worse.

 

i agree with the viv but if you pack it out with hides and fake plants you can make good with what you have

[mexico_16v]

viv s fine if packed out

 

the stick on thermometers are wildly inaccurate. my boa had these and wasnt feeding, put in a digital one and it was over 3 degrres C out she now feeds.

 

as for feeding dont try more than once a week as it stresses them out and can put them off food, royals are notouriously (sp) iffy feeders anyway.

 

dont worry about it not feeding til 9weeks at that size

 

just try the one heat source for a while, ie the matt (on a stat) also do you turn the lights off at night (unless they are red or green lights) as this can bugger up there day/night cycle.

 

things to try in the future: leave in over night or 24hours, whichever. also covering the viv up helps (make it as dark as possible).

 

my boa wont eat in public so i get her out pop another large hide in only on feeding days and then put the food in the hide then aim the snake at the hide so it goes in and leave it over night (best do it in the evening).

 

another good one is a powerade bath; use 50%powerade/teppid warm water and let the snakes wim in it for 20mins or so the electrolites can kickstartt eh feeding response.

 

if you wnna go all perverted, put the snake in a small RUB (really usefull box) with the pup, cover it and strap avibrator to it (im not joking) set it on low so it vibrates slightly and leave for half hour.

 

another is heating the food either with hairdrier or warming the head in water, you can also brain it (split the skull) to release the smell more.

 

as i say dont try more than once a week as you will stress the snake more. id also recomment : www.reptileforums.co.uk and pop a post on there you will no doubt get even more ideas (and more comments about the crap thermometers! lol)

 

hope this helps

Some good tips there, thanks.

 

He is just sat there all coiled up staring at it. I'll try some of them outand let you know how i get on. he seems to strike ok, but he just seems happy to bite it, i tryed feeding it on Thursday and assumed having another go would ok today, he is in a small tuppa wear box now, just him and the rat, in the viv with no lights and i've left the heatmat on.

 

the viv can have something to do with it with some though, royals, although not all of them, prefer smaller vivs as they feel more secure

 

 

A strange idea, which has worked, is take him for a drive, then offer food...for some reason, the motion of moving around can set them off

yeah ok it does sound random, but amazing how many times its worked!

 

 

+1 but as i said dont keep offering as you will make it worse.

 

i agree with the viv but if you pack it out with hides and fake plants you can make good with what you have

I've packed out the viv with some plants and stuff but i would like to put more in. Compared to a few other viv's in the pictures mine seem quite open if you like.

[KNITERIDER]

viv s fine if packed out

 

the stick on thermometers are wildly inaccurate. my boa had these and wasnt feeding, put in a digital one and it was over 3 degrres C out she now feeds.

 

as for feeding dont try more than once a week as it stresses them out and can put them off food, royals are notouriously (sp) iffy feeders anyway.

 

dont worry about it not feeding til 9weeks at that size

 

just try the one heat source for a while, ie the matt (on a stat) also do you turn the lights off at night (unless they are red or green lights) as this can bugger up there day/night cycle.

 

things to try in the future: leave in over night or 24hours, whichever. also covering the viv up helps (make it as dark as possible).

 

my boa wont eat in public so i get her out pop another large hide in only on feeding days and then put the food in the hide then aim the snake at the hide so it goes in and leave it over night (best do it in the evening).

 

another good one is a powerade bath; use 50%powerade/teppid warm water and let the snakes wim in it for 20mins or so the electrolites can kickstartt eh feeding response.

 

if you wnna go all perverted, put the snake in a small RUB (really usefull box) with the pup, cover it and strap avibrator to it (im not joking) set it on low so it vibrates slightly and leave for half hour.

 

another is heating the food either with hairdrier or warming the head in water, you can also brain it (split the skull) to release the smell more.

 

as i say dont try more than once a week as you will stress the snake more. id also recomment : www.reptileforums.co.uk and pop a post on there you will no doubt get even more ideas (and more comments about the crap thermometers! lol)

 

hope this helps

Some good tips there, thanks.

 

He is just sat there all coiled up staring at it. I'll try some of them outand let you know how i get on. he seems to strike ok, but he just seems happy to bite it, i tryed feeding it on Thursday and assumed having another go would ok today, he is in a small tuppa wear box now, just him and the rat, in the viv with no lights and i've left the heatmat on.

 

 

my boa was doing this but its more defensive striking than wanting to eat it. they are buggers, as long as it doesnt start loosing weight tho you will be ok for a while yet

 

other options are chicks and gerbils but once they start on them it can be very hard to get back onto rats/mice again.

 

ps my fav as it worked with mine was adding a big hide. smack bang in the middle with the food in there then letting them go in the hide, if its like mine and stays where you put it rather than shooting off then it may well work. if it doesnt work today give it a week

 

another one is to remove the water bowl a day or two before feeding then put food in.

[mexico_16v]

viv s fine if packed out

 

the stick on thermometers are wildly inaccurate. my boa had these and wasnt feeding, put in a digital one and it was over 3 degrres C out she now feeds.

 

as for feeding dont try more than once a week as it stresses them out and can put them off food, royals are notouriously (sp) iffy feeders anyway.

 

dont worry about it not feeding til 9weeks at that size

 

just try the one heat source for a while, ie the matt (on a stat) also do you turn the lights off at night (unless they are red or green lights) as this can bugger up there day/night cycle.

 

things to try in the future: leave in over night or 24hours, whichever. also covering the viv up helps (make it as dark as possible).

 

my boa wont eat in public so i get her out pop another large hide in only on feeding days and then put the food in the hide then aim the snake at the hide so it goes in and leave it over night (best do it in the evening).

 

another good one is a powerade bath; use 50%powerade/teppid warm water and let the snakes wim in it for 20mins or so the electrolites can kickstartt eh feeding response.

 

if you wnna go all perverted, put the snake in a small RUB (really usefull box) with the pup, cover it and strap avibrator to it (im not joking) set it on low so it vibrates slightly and leave for half hour.

 

another is heating the food either with hairdrier or warming the head in water, you can also brain it (split the skull) to release the smell more.

 

as i say dont try more than once a week as you will stress the snake more. id also recomment : www.reptileforums.co.uk and pop a post on there you will no doubt get even more ideas (and more comments about the crap thermometers! lol)

 

hope this helps

Some good tips there, thanks.

 

He is just sat there all coiled up staring at it. I'll try some of them outand let you know how i get on. he seems to strike ok, but he just seems happy to bite it, i tryed feeding it on Thursday and assumed having another go would ok today, he is in a small tuppa wear box now, just him and the rat, in the viv with no lights and i've left the heatmat on.

 

 

my boa was doing this but its more defensive striking than wanting to eat it. they are buggers, as long as it doesnt start loosing weight tho you will be ok for a while yet

 

other options are chicks and gerbils but once they start on them it can be very hard to get back onto rats/mice again.

 

ps my fav as it worked with mine was adding a big hide. smack bang in the middle with the food in there then letting them go in the hide, if its like mine and stays where you put it rather than shooting off then it may well work. if it doesnt work today give it a week

 

another one is to remove the water bowl a day or two before feeding then put food in.

Do you mean live gerbils? He has'nt lost any weight although you can see when you hold him he is empty, if you get what i mean. I have a big hide and a smaller one, one at each end of the viv so i'll try that. I was told to wind him up before i feed him but i can't see how that'll help as it will stress him out and he won't want to eat as he is stressed.

[KNITERIDER]

viv s fine if packed out

 

the stick on thermometers are wildly inaccurate. my boa had these and wasnt feeding, put in a digital one and it was over 3 degrres C out she now feeds.

 

as for feeding dont try more than once a week as it stresses them out and can put them off food, royals are notouriously (sp) iffy feeders anyway.

 

dont worry about it not feeding til 9weeks at that size

 

just try the one heat source for a while, ie the matt (on a stat) also do you turn the lights off at night (unless they are red or green lights) as this can bugger up there day/night cycle.

 

things to try in the future: leave in over night or 24hours, whichever. also covering the viv up helps (make it as dark as possible).

 

my boa wont eat in public so i get her out pop another large hide in only on feeding days and then put the food in the hide then aim the snake at the hide so it goes in and leave it over night (best do it in the evening).

 

another good one is a powerade bath; use 50%powerade/teppid warm water and let the snakes wim in it for 20mins or so the electrolites can kickstartt eh feeding response.

 

if you wnna go all perverted, put the snake in a small RUB (really usefull box) with the pup, cover it and strap avibrator to it (im not joking) set it on low so it vibrates slightly and leave for half hour.

 

another is heating the food either with hairdrier or warming the head in water, you can also brain it (split the skull) to release the smell more.

 

as i say dont try more than once a week as you will stress the snake more. id also recomment : www.reptileforums.co.uk and pop a post on there you will no doubt get even more ideas (and more comments about the crap thermometers! lol)

 

hope this helps

Some good tips there, thanks.

 

He is just sat there all coiled up staring at it. I'll try some of them outand let you know how i get on. he seems to strike ok, but he just seems happy to bite it, i tryed feeding it on Thursday and assumed having another go would ok today, he is in a small tuppa wear box now, just him and the rat, in the viv with no lights and i've left the heatmat on.

 

 

my boa was doing this but its more defensive striking than wanting to eat it. they are buggers, as long as it doesnt start loosing weight tho you will be ok for a while yet

 

other options are chicks and gerbils but once they start on them it can be very hard to get back onto rats/mice again.

 

ps my fav as it worked with mine was adding a big hide. smack bang in the middle with the food in there then letting them go in the hide, if its like mine and stays where you put it rather than shooting off then it may well work. if it doesnt work today give it a week

 

another one is to remove the water bowl a day or two before feeding then put food in.

Do you mean live gerbils? He has'nt lost any weight although you can see when you hold him he is empty, if you get what i mean. I have a big hide and a smaller one, one at each end of the viv so i'll try that. I was told to wind him up before i feed him but i can't see how that'll help as it will stress him out and he won't want to eat as he is stressed.

 

 

no you can buy them frozen like rats, mice, chicks, quails and multis but can sometimes be a pain getting them back onto mice/rats.

 

indeed whhoever told you to wind the snake up is a fool! take EVERYTHING petshops tell you with a pinch of salt as the majority actually dont know that much at all.

 

winding them up only really gives you defensive strikes and upsets the snake. snakes dont tend to eat something attacking it, they do the attacking

 

its also the end of the breeding season so that can be a pain. also how long did you leave the snake (no interaction at all other than change water and clean up mess) when you got it? a week is minimum most say longer. persnally when your leaving the snake this week i wouldnt handle or do anything with the snake untill its next feed to let the snake settle

[mexico_16v]

viv s fine if packed out

 

the stick on thermometers are wildly inaccurate. my boa had these and wasnt feeding, put in a digital one and it was over 3 degrres C out she now feeds.

 

as for feeding dont try more than once a week as it stresses them out and can put them off food, royals are notouriously (sp) iffy feeders anyway.

 

dont worry about it not feeding til 9weeks at that size

 

just try the one heat source for a while, ie the matt (on a stat) also do you turn the lights off at night (unless they are red or green lights) as this can bugger up there day/night cycle.

 

things to try in the future: leave in over night or 24hours, whichever. also covering the viv up helps (make it as dark as possible).

 

my boa wont eat in public so i get her out pop another large hide in only on feeding days and then put the food in the hide then aim the snake at the hide so it goes in and leave it over night (best do it in the evening).

 

another good one is a powerade bath; use 50%powerade/teppid warm water and let the snakes wim in it for 20mins or so the electrolites can kickstartt eh feeding response.

 

if you wnna go all perverted, put the snake in a small RUB (really usefull box) with the pup, cover it and strap avibrator to it (im not joking) set it on low so it vibrates slightly and leave for half hour.

 

another is heating the food either with hairdrier or warming the head in water, you can also brain it (split the skull) to release the smell more.

 

as i say dont try more than once a week as you will stress the snake more. id also recomment : www.reptileforums.co.uk and pop a post on there you will no doubt get even more ideas (and more comments about the crap thermometers! lol)

 

hope this helps

Some good tips there, thanks.

 

He is just sat there all coiled up staring at it. I'll try some of them outand let you know how i get on. he seems to strike ok, but he just seems happy to bite it, i tryed feeding it on Thursday and assumed having another go would ok today, he is in a small tuppa wear box now, just him and the rat, in the viv with no lights and i've left the heatmat on.

 

 

my boa was doing this but its more defensive striking than wanting to eat it. they are buggers, as long as it doesnt start loosing weight tho you will be ok for a while yet

 

other options are chicks and gerbils but once they start on them it can be very hard to get back onto rats/mice again.

 

ps my fav as it worked with mine was adding a big hide. smack bang in the middle with the food in there then letting them go in the hide, if its like mine and stays where you put it rather than shooting off then it may well work. if it doesnt work today give it a week

 

another one is to remove the water bowl a day or two before feeding then put food in.

Do you mean live gerbils? He has'nt lost any weight although you can see when you hold him he is empty, if you get what i mean. I have a big hide and a smaller one, one at each end of the viv so i'll try that. I was told to wind him up before i feed him but i can't see how that'll help as it will stress him out and he won't want to eat as he is stressed.

 

 

no you can buy them frozen like rats, mice, chicks, quails and multis but can sometimes be a pain getting them back onto mice/rats.

 

indeed whhoever told you to wind the snake up is a fool! take EVERYTHING petshops tell you with a pinch of salt as the majority actually dont know that much at all.

 

winding them up only really gives you defensive strikes and upsets the snake. snakes dont tend to eat something attacking it, they do the attacking

 

its also the end of the breeding season so that can be a pain. also how long did you leave the snake (no interaction at all other than change water and clean up mess) when you got it? a week is minimum most say longer. persnally when your leaving the snake this week i wouldnt handle or do anything with the snake untill its next feed to let the snake settle

I left it a few days. However it was moved from a msall tank to a large aswell. I'm not going to handle it untill i next try feeding it, i reckon next Monday should be ok to try again?

[KNITERIDER]

that should be fine, id try if possible, leaving the food outside whichever hide it is in in the evening, covering front with a towel or something and keeping away from the viv leave overnight and see what happens

[mexico_16v]

that should be fine, id try if possible, leaving the food outside whichever hide it is in in the evening, covering front with a towel or something and keeping away from the viv leave overnight and see what happens

Ok, i'll try that.

[EscortNreg]

HELP...

 

My snake has escaped!!!

 

Anyone know the best way to catch them again??

 

Im gutted