Spotty Not feeding

[kristian101]

Hi, We have had out spotty for just voer a week. When we got her the past owner said she was ready for a shed and also about ready for a feed.

She shead ok but she still hasnt eaten. The temps are right and she seems to be ok in herself but she just wont eat. Is there something we're doing wrong or something we should be doing?

We have really tried not to disturb her too much but its getting worrying that she refuses her food.

We are feeding (or at least trying) to feed her pinkies. She is 11 months old.

Thanks

 

[Mayhem]

I assume that you are indeed trying to feed at a good time of day, like say early evening one the lights are out and when the snake is out and about in its enclosure??? I know that might sound obvious but thought I should put it forward...

Also, are the pinkies warm when you try and feed?

Check the feed records and see when the last feed was, but don't stress, I've had young spotted's go for months and months without feeding with no problems

I'm sure someone else here will be able to give you some better advice

oh and are there plenty of hides for the snake to hide in and feel secure?

 

[Snakelove]

It should've been hungry after a shed. what pinky is it? if it's a pinky rat then try a fuzzy mice. I don't think you would be feeding pinky mice to a 11 month old spotted. so yeah try fuzzy mice if it doesnt take rat just to make sure it eats.

 

[Just_Joshin]

If an 11 month old spotted is still on food items that small then it sounds like it has been a trouble feeder from the start UNLESS the breeder did not feed it very often. How big is the snake?? If you can post a picture we might be able to help with appropriate food size.

 

[Ewan]

If an 11 month old spotted is still on food items that small that it sounds like it has been a trouble feeder from the start UNLESS the breeder did not feed it very often. How big is the snake?? If you can post a picture we might be able to help with appropriate food size.

Agreed.

Also one week is nothing. If it hasn't accepted the first feed you might like to consider giving it more time to settle in. What are the temps and what type of enclosure do you have it in?

 

[kristian101]

yes we are trying to feed her after sun down when she comes out.
we are trying to feed her pinky mice (thawed in hot water) but does not seem interested, she has a smell then ignores it.
the temps are currently at 33 celcius on the hot side and 25 on cool side.
she is very active when she comes out and very alert seems quite flightly when approuched though.
we have a hide on both side's of the tank spends most of the time in the hide on the cool side.
the tank is a 2ft glass fish tank 1 and a half ft high.
also she is 56 cm long.

will post pics asap
thanks for all your help

 

[beeman]

At 56cm long it should be on about a 3/4 grown mouse or large velvet rat,
Recheck your temps again as glass fish tanks are not good holders of constant heat! leave her be for another week and then try feeding again.

 

[kristian101]

a pic of her and her enlosure.

 

[beeman]

that enclosure wont be warm enough, All your heat is escaping out the top and the animal isnt warm enough to want to eat. I dont see any thermometers in the tank either so was wondering how you are gauging the temp?

 

[kristian101]

there is a digital thermometer with probe inside the tank. the probe sits on the floor of the tank and it give's me a reading of the floor temp.
so the reading is coming directly from what the floor is.

 

[kristian101]

also tried to feed her the other night when it was scorching hot here in sydney so im sure it would have been hot enough then but still didnt feed.

 

[beeman]

also tried to feed her the other night when it was scorching hot here in sydney so im sure it would have been hot enough then but still didnt feed.

I still believe heating is your problem!
They need a constant heat as a young snake to do well and the top of your tank doesnt allow for that , while you may have heat spikes on certain days this will be causing more problems for you as you dont have consistancy in temps.

 

[kristian101]

if i cover most of the top with a towel do you think this may help if that is the case?
thank you for all your advice

 

[azn4114]

i would look at changing the enclosure al together,im not a fan of glass tanks+ where is its hides?

 

[beeman]

if i cover most of the top with a towel do you think this may help if that is the case?
thank you for all your advice

In the short term it may help but i would look at insulating three sides of the tank and building a new top that covers the majority of the tank top.

 

[tenacres1100]

cover the tank top, sides and back with a towel, leave it alone for a few days then try to feed it again, don't even try handling it until it's feeding, find out from the old owner what he was feeding it and use the same size, IMO pinkys are way too small. If that fails maybe get a click clack. I'd also get rid of the kitty litter and use newspaper.

 

[kristian101]

ok cool well i will give that a go and see what happens.
cheers for all the advice i will be sure to let everone know how it goes.
kris

 

[kristian101]

hey all thank you very much for the advice again.
i thought i would try to feed her again and she went for it she had 2 pinkie's in a row.
i will try to get her on fuzzy's next week..
woo hoo im soooooooooooo happy now

 

[tenacres1100]

glad to hear it