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Winkpw   JackAsp   TiffRockz  
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 #1993004


Winkpw
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 Hognose snake refuses to eat

-I tried frog scenting the pinky with tree frog.

-I tried braining the pinky.

-I tried shaking the pinky.


-Total pinkies used: Three.



04/25/09  03:31pm

 #1993756


JackAsp
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  Message To: Winkpw   In reference to Message Id: 1993004


 Hognose snake refuses to eat

Give it like a week to settle in. Yes, I’ve had snakes that were obviously begging as soon as I got them home so I fed them, but usually the distraction of getting used to the new place is an appetite-killer. For the first week, avoid bothering the snake, either with handling or with unwanted offers of food. Let it feel secure and the appetite should come back. My own western ate the first time I offered her food, but I’d waited for five days first. What you REALLY don’t want to do is annoy the snake a lot with f/t food at times when its not hungry, leading it to asociate it with stress and therefore making the switch more difficult than it should be.



04/27/09  12:04am

 #2048472


TiffRockz
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  Message To: Winkpw   In reference to Message Id: 1993004


 Hognose snake refuses to eat

There could be a numerous amount of reasons to why your snake is refusing meals. If you just purchased the snake, the snake may still be trying to settle in and get used to it’s surroundings so you should leave it alone for a few days. Another reason of refusing meals is caused by stressed. With not having proper husbandry, this can lead to stress. Make sure everything in your enclosure is suitable for this species. Also, when temperatures are not correct, the snake may also refuse meals. Again, this is another cause of stress. Here are some other techniques:

-Scenting the pinkie with tuna (if there is some stuff left on the mouse from scenting it with tuna, it’s just fine for the snake to eat).
-Splitting the head to expose the brain (I think you may have done that already, but this technique is very effective).
-Feeding pre-killed pinkies
-Feeding live pinkies (can be left in enclosure over night as the pinkie cannot harm the snake in any way).
-Feeding the snake live, pre-killed, or f/t prey in the enclosure with all lights turned off in room and you cannot be in the room (I used this technique on my boa that did not eat for 2 months but I used this technique with live prey and it really worked. She now takes f/t rats).
-Scenting the pinkie with a lizard (Anoles can be effective).

If your trying to feed the snake in a separate container the snake may not want to eat it’s meals that way. The snake may feel more comfortable eating in the enclosure rather than out. I had to do this with a Ball python of mine a couple of times until he finally ate in a separate container.



07/31/09  02:32am


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