feeding help

[big_dad_13]

I've recently acquired a carpet python thats been miss treated, ignored and left in the icy cold, so through much persistance and, well, a bit of demand :twisted: I was able to get the beauty into my care. "ROCK" as my son named it (sex unknown) has been feed on a main diet of guinea pigs (which I have been told is not good for them) also chickens and anything cheap at the pet store. And now after two weeks of offering dead and (i'm sorry, but,) some live rats different size and colors, under my quiet, watchful eye. He/she seems very interested but still won't eat . Should I bite the bullet and go by a guinea pig or is more time needed now "Rock's" in a nice warm enclosure and home, maybe it's a bit of a shock and needs time to adjust. Any and all advice would be appreciated

 

[ADZz_93]

two week isnt that long, i would give it some time, its probs very stressed.

 

[Greenmad]

if hes been that poorly looked after then give him/her some time it should come around

 

[amy5189]

yeah trying to get them on rats can be hard. my 2 year old is super fussy! so i left her 6 weeks then tried and still nothing. so don't stress. leave it for a few more weeks to settle in then try again.
how big/old is it do you know?

 

[big_dad_13]

thanx guys i'm a real stress head when comes to herps well being

 

[big_dad_13]

around 6-7 ft, age unknown

 

[amy5189]

yeah i'm a total stresser too! it's hard, especially when you see a mistreated animal and all you want to do is help them all. but the snake is probably just in shock from the warm temperature. so he'll adjust and in a few weeks be as good as new.

 

[tenacres1100]

if it's been left cold it will take a few weeks to be intrested in food again, don't feed it live food just leave it alone with a basking spot set at 32c and in a week or so try it again, it may not start to feed again until spring

 

[big_dad_13]

Thanx again, I should i keep offering daily or space it out i bit

 

[big_dad_13]

Oh ok i'll try in week. i've got his basking spot already at 30 to 33

 

[Greenmad]

i wouldnt just let him go for a few weeks then try

 

[tenacres1100]

a lot of people cool their pythons over winter, so as long as it looks healthy I wouldn't worry too much, just leave it now and try again in a few weeks.

 

[big_dad_13]

A friend just told me the snake use to go 3-4 months without food or water, also he's been drinking alot I've been thinkin it just due to the warm up.

 

[big_dad_13]

he's got a bit of bone but nothing to bad yet

 

[wranga]

just leave it alone for now. let it settle in. its not unusual for snakes to go off their food at this time of year. you dont say what type of carpet it is or what temperature you have the enclosure set at

 

[big_dad_13]

unfortunately I can't get my computer to put pics up prob on our side, but the wife's on it

 

[big_dad_13]

I think he's i hybrid but he's still a snake and the enclosure is at around 23 lower to 35 at the top but the basking area is around 30-33c

 

[tenacres1100]

if you want to put up pics use 'go advanced' then use "manage attachments" and upload from there

 

[Rainbow-Serpent]

Make sure she has a warm basking spot and a nice warm hide and don't stress her out, she should eat soon, don't feed her live because mice and rats have claws and can injure or kill your snake.
Good on you for taking her in!!

 

[mysnakesau]

if it's been left cold it will take a few weeks to be intrested in food again, don't feed it live food just leave it alone with a basking spot set at 32c and in a week or so try it again, it may not start to feed again until spring

This is good advice. Going from one extreme to the other can throw their clocks out of whack. Concentrate on getting its environment corrected so he can feel comfortable, then he should start to come around. Watch the heat closely. This time of year is cold. Its ok to have a basking spot of 32c, but watch the cool end of the enclosure. If it gets too cold s/he still won't show any interest in eating. As well as a basking light, having a heatmat on the floor at the warm end can help in these cold times. But it sounds like you have the temps doing well at the moment anyway. 26c at cool end is probably a bit high but considering his condition its probably ok. Don't change anything that isn't broken.

I didn't think guinea pigs were an issue. I feed guinea pigs to my olive pythons & have never seen any problems. They stink more, though. I do offer them a variety though. Big rats to rabbits, guinea pigs, and occasionally chicken legs from the supermarket. Offer him food weekly or fortnightly rather than every day or so. If he refuses, try again in a week and leave him alone in the meantime so he can settle down. Oh and most carpet snakes are nocturnal so the time of day can effect his appetite. Most captives aren't fussy but I do have a couple that won't eat during day but come evening/night, dim the lights they feed without dramas.

You have done well, to take in such an animal. Good on you, and please don't expect the snake to show any appreciation. But all the same, its improving health will be the best reward ever. To raise an animal from near death to top health is the best feeling.