Question for snake owners / lovers.....

[rubber duck]

I have an adult male royal python - approx 3 years old - until now he's been a good feeder (he used to strike for the mice but then changed his method and now usually takes them about an hour after I drop them in)......I usually feed him one fat (dead) mouse every week but he has refused every one for the past 4 weeks.

He is overdue a shed and poo and is a little less active than normal, tending to spend most of his time in his cave over the heat mat.

I have upped the humidity and this weekend I will try to feed him using the 'strike' method, he is in the bedroom and although the heating is on twice a day it's still a big and cold room, could the cold be affecting him?

I know not to worry too much as they can go for long periods without feeding, but at what point should I start to worry?

Cheers !

 

[Cobra]

There are a few "Herps" on here
but I will offer the method that worked for me a few years ago when my Royal decided to go on hunger strike,
firstly though are you sure that its not shedding or about to shed?
Have the eyes gone milky and cleared and you missed it by any chance ?( shed imminent)
Oh and BTW mine went nearly a year without a feed

Up the temperature and remove the water bowl
After a week or so get the food item throughly soak in water and try and feed
but waving it around to stimulate movement.

Jerboas are a natural prey item, Gerbils are close I used them to eventually get mine to feed
Go easy with the water withdrawal though, ( technically it is now illegal to with hold water or food except under experimental licence)
just enough to get the snake thirsty and eat
soaked prey
this is a pretty good forum rum by Stuart H on here
http://www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/

 

[rubber duck]

Hi Cobra

I'll take your advice on board, that's really helpful of you

I will try soaking the mouse (should I use warm water?) and 'dangling' it.

Would it be worth trying something small like rat pups to start with?

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look

Jo x

 

[Cobra]

Just warm enough to take the chill off. I wouldn't go with rat pups if (s) he doesn't normally eat them.
Stick to what he knows or as said previously try gerbils ( if you can get them)

Dangle if thats what you normally do or put in and poke with a stick, to mimic "frightened" movements you are trying to "wind" him up enough to strike,
this could take a while though IIRC It took me about 3 weeks to get my female going again

 

[rubber duck]

He once had rat pups when the pet shop had run out of mice - I will try with his usual 'brand' of mice but will get some rat pups to stick in the freezer as back up

I used to do the 'dangle' thing with him before so that doesn't bother me

Instead of waiting till Saturday I think I'll ask my daughter to go to the pet shop after school tomorrow and I'll try again tomorrow night

Will keep you updated

Thanks Cobra

 

[Cobra]

Will keep you updated

Thanks Cobra

No worries
let me know how it goes or shout if you think I can help futher
( either here or PM me )